Fix: PSD File Not Compatible With This Version of Photoshop

Can’t access your project due to a PSD file not compatible with this version of Photoshop error?

Adobe Photoshop is one of the best image processing tools in the world. It’s mostly used for raster image editing, graphics design, and digital art. Photoshop takes advantage of layering, which allows depth and flexibility when editing. 

While Adobe Photoshop is widely used, it comes with its own issues.

One common problem with Adobe Photoshop is the PSD file not compatible error. This issue occurs when accessing an old or new PSD file that is not compatible with the version of Photoshop you’re using. 

When you use a new feature or tool on your project and try to run the project on an older version of Photoshop, this error will likely occur. 

Although this problem is common, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything about it. 

Today, we will show you how to fix the PSD file not compatible with this version of Photoshop error. 

Let’s dive right in!

Convert the PSD File.

When you encounter compatibility issues with your PSD files, you can try accessing them using another Adobe program. If you’re able to access your projects using other programs, you can then convert them into new PSD files. 

The first tool you can use is Adobe Lightroom. Simple access the file with compatibility issues and export it as a new PSD file using Lightroom. 

PSD file not compatible with this version of Photoshop

On the other hand, you can also open the project on Adobe Illustrator. Now, choose Convert Photoshop Layers to Objects. Save it as a new PSD file afterward. 

Once done, you should be able to access your project in Photoshop.

Use GIMP. 

Another tool that you can use to fix compatibility issues on Photoshop is GIMP. The GNU Image Manipulation Program is an open-source image editing tool that can raster and retouch images. While it’s not as advanced as Photoshop, it can access almost every file created using Adobe Photoshop. 

With this tool, you can open the problematic project and save it as a new PSD file. Follow the guide below to use GIMP: 

  1. First, download and install the GIMP application on your computer. 
  2. After that, launch the tool and open the PSD file you want to convert. 
  3. Once the project is loaded, click on File > Export and choose PSD. Click the Export button again to confirm. 
PSD file not compatible with this version of Photoshop

After saving the project, go back to Photoshop and check if the problem is solved.

Contact Adobe Support. 

If none of the solutions above worked for you, we suggest that you let the professionals handle the situation. 

Go to Adobe’s Support page and contact their team to report the issue with your Photoshop projects. If possible, attach the PSD file on your report and state the version or year of Adobe Photoshop, you’re using. 

PSD file not compatible with this version of Photoshop

This should help their team provide you with the best possible solution for your problem. 

That ends our guide on how to fix the PSD file not compatible with this version of Photoshop error. If you have questions, leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer them. 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

Author

  • John Sixto

    John is a staff writer at Saint and comes from a SAP ABAP development background. He has a Bachelors in IT and has been writing since 2018, with over 500 posts published. He loves to build PCs and has a deep curiosity in understanding how different components and configurations work. John spends hundreds of hours at a time, researching and testing the software and apps, before he proceeds to write about it. LinkedIn X (Twitter)

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