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Image files saved from Firefox browsing sessions won't open

I'm able to download the images just fine, but when I try to open them, I see the same error message- "The file "name.png" could not be opened. It may be damaged or use a file format that Preview doesn't recognize."

I've tried creating a new Firefox profile, running Firefox with ad-ons disabled, and just plain deleting the one ad-on I had running. (AdBlock Plus.) Deleting AdBlock Plus seemed to have no effect, so I put it back.

I know it's not the website I'm trying to save images from, because I have the same issue saving images from other websites. I've even tried right-clicking and saving stuff from my own Photobucket account, so I know there shouldn't be anything wrong with the images, and have gotten the same error message I mentioned above when trying to open them.

Also, I can save anything I want from Safari, including the same exact image files that won't save in a usable fashion from Firefox.

I really hope someone can help. This has been very frustrating.

I'm able to download the images just fine, but when I try to open them, I see the same error message- "The file "name.png" could not be opened. It may be damaged or use a file format that Preview doesn't recognize." I've tried creating a new Firefox profile, running Firefox with ad-ons disabled, and just plain deleting the one ad-on I had running. (AdBlock Plus.) Deleting AdBlock Plus seemed to have no effect, so I put it back. I know it's not the website I'm trying to save images from, because I have the same issue saving images from other websites. I've even tried right-clicking and saving stuff from my own Photobucket account, so I know there shouldn't be anything wrong with the images, and have gotten the same error message I mentioned above when trying to open them. Also, I can save anything I want from Safari, including the same exact image files that won't save in a usable fashion from Firefox. I really hope someone can help. This has been very frustrating.

All Replies (13)

Try to open the file(s) with the viewer on your computer. Is there still a problem?

Preview is the only image viewing tool I have.

Do the files download completely? Does their size match the original?

Original filesize: right-click on the image, select View image info, note Size field value in bytes. Downloaded file's size: uh... do whatever it is you need to do to show the file size in Mac OS.

It could be a partial download, which would corrupt the file so it can't be opened.

I just checked that. I was hoping that was it, but the file size is exactly the same for both.

Hello,

Just a quick question where are your files saving to? are they saving to your tmp folder, or downlaods folder?

I have had a few times where stuff goes to tmp that should go to downloads.

They've been saving to the downloads folder. I tried saving them to the desktop, too, but still had the same problem.

Is the problem with all web sites, some?

It seems to be with all websites.

Are you viewing the file in Firefox and then saving them, or do you download it directly? I've called the big guys to help you. Good luck.

Viewing the files in Firefox and then downloading. Thanks. :)

Did you try to open the files in Firefox?

Yes, and what comes up is a Firefox window with a black background. It says "The file "name.png" cannot be displayed because it contains errors."

That error can indicate that the file is corrupted or is not in the format indicated by its file extension (not PNG, actually JPG, for example).

Could you describe your process step by step? For example:

(1) right-click or Ctrl+click an image, Save Image As..., use the suggested file name

(2) right-click or Ctrl+click an image, View Image (displays the image stand-alone in a tab), then

  • steps under #1
  • Save Page As..., use the suggested file name

(3) other?