VISIO file cannot be opened

Question

VISIO file cannot be opened

Guofeng Ma 1

An error (275) occurred during an action to open a file. visio could not open the file or the components in the file because they were corrupted

Reza-Ameri 17,341 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2022-04-13T14:41:34.54+00:00

Sine when this problem started?
Did you install any program r update before this problem started?
Guofeng Ma 1 Reputation point

2022-04-14T00:45:53.29+00:00

This visio file was last edited on March 20th, after a similar failure had already occurred once, causing me to redraw all my drawings. No programs were installed or updated.
Ken L 0 Reputation points

2025-05-12T15:35:26.8933333+00:00

I created a boatload of vsd files with a 2019 version of visio and somewhere along the line a microsoft update to visio has them all coming up as corrupt. All of your suggestions above do not work. I see this same instruction over and over but it does not work. I saved my files as .vsd and now they all come up as corrupt.

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Reza-Ameri 17,341 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2022-04-13T14:41:34.54+00:00

Sine when this problem started?
Did you install any program r update before this problem started?
Guofeng Ma 1 Reputation point

2022-04-14T00:45:53.29+00:00

This visio file was last edited on March 20th, after a similar failure had already occurred once, causing me to redraw all my drawings. No programs were installed or updated.
Ken L 0 Reputation points

2025-05-12T15:35:26.8933333+00:00

I created a boatload of vsd files with a 2019 version of visio and somewhere along the line a microsoft update to visio has them all coming up as corrupt. All of your suggestions above do not work. I see this same instruction over and over but it does not work. I saved my files as .vsd and now they all come up as corrupt.

Answer 1

Emily Hua-MSFT 27,796

Hi @Guofeng Ma

Because this issue recurs, please start Visio without Automation events and without Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications.

Go to Visio > File tab > Options.
Click Trust Center > Trust Center Settings, and then click Disable all macros without notification.
Go back to Options interface, click Add-ins > Manage COM Add-ins > Go, clear the check boxes for any enabled COM add-ins, select OK.
Restart Visio, open drawings to check this issue.

If opening the file works fine, I suggest you troubleshoot any VBA code used and COM add-ins.

If files can not be opened, here is a similar thread "How to recover a corrupted file?" you can have a look. purplegerbil shared 2 methods to recover the files.
But please note, it's recommended to back up your drawings first.

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Guofeng Ma 1 Reputation point

2022-04-14T05:01:15.093+00:00

Hello, thank you very much for your reply. How can I ensure that there are no automated events and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications？
Guofeng Ma 1 Reputation point

2022-04-14T05:05:03.997+00:00

The methods shared by purplegerbil in the topic "How to recover corrupted files?" still don't work, I have tried some times.
Emily Hua-MSFT 27,796 Reputation points

2022-04-14T06:50:09.957+00:00

Hi @Guofeng Ma
Thanks for your reply.
You can disable macros and COM add-ins like the steps above.
Guofeng Ma 1 Reputation point

2022-04-14T06:53:47.257+00:00

I've disabled macros and COM add-ins before and it still doesn't work.
Emily Hua-MSFT 27,796 Reputation points

2022-04-14T07:34:45.883+00:00

Hi @Guofeng Ma

Have you tried sending the file to other computer?

Please also refer to this link "Methods to try if you cannot open a drawing", it lists some methods. Hope it could be helpful to you.
Such as the Method1, for 64-bit version of Visio Plan 2, Visio 2019, Visio 2021, the installation path is C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16, then you can drag the drawing file to the VISIO.exe file icon.

(Please also remember to keep a backup just in case.)
Emily Hua-MSFT 27,796 Reputation points

2022-04-14T07:45:19.987+00:00

Besides, I encountered 2 threads that Visio crashes when opening drawings due to certain images, their workaround is: go to File - Options - Advanced in Visio, and check out the "Disable Enhanced Metafile optimization" box under Display section.
You can try it for a check.

If the steps above do not work, I suggest you go to Visio > Open > find the drawing in the recent file list, right-click it, choose "Open a Copy".
Guofeng Ma 1 Reputation point

2022-04-14T08:10:21.4+00:00

Thank you very much for your prompt reply, but it seems that the problem is still unresolved. I had to redraw the drawing.
Emily Hua-MSFT 27,796 Reputation points

2022-04-15T05:49:55.363+00:00

Hi @Guofeng Ma
Sorry, I am afraid you need to draw the files from scratch. :(

But I also suggest you refer to "Methods to try to help prevent damage to drawings", just in case.

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VISIO file cannot be opened

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