Troubleshoot SWA Files
Common SWA Opening Problems
Adobe Director Isn't There
You encounter an error message such as "%%os%% Can't Open SWA Files" when trying to open your SWA. Customarily, this means that Adobe Director is not installed on %%os%%. The OS won't know what to do with your SWA file, so double-clicking to load the file doesn't work.
Tip: If you don't have Adobe Director installed, and you know of another program to open your SWA file, you can try opening it by selecting from the programs listed under "Show Apps".
Adobe Director Requires Update
Your Shockwave Audio file is incompatible with Adobe Director because you might have the wrong version installed. Download the latest Adobe Director version from the Adobe Systems Incorporated website to ensure you have the correct one installed. Most of the time your Shockwave Audio file was created by a newer Adobe Director than what you have installed.
Tip: If you right-click on your SWA file, then select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), you can obtain hints about what version you need.
Ultimately, most of the difficulties opening SWA files are due to having the wrong version of Adobe Director installed.
Other SWA File Issues
Errors opening Shockwave Audio files can still occur even with the latest Adobe Director software installed on your computer. There can be external issues inside of %%os%% that are causing these errors when opening SWAs. These issues include:
- Windows Registry SWA file paths that are incorrect
- Unintentional removal of the description of the SWA file inside the Windows Registry
- Incomplete or bad installation of a software application associated with the SWA format
- SWA file corruption
- Malware-tainted SWA file can't be opened
- Hardware associated with SWA has outdated drivers
- Your computer does not have the adequate system resources to open the Shockwave Audio format
Quiz: Which of these is considered a vector image file?
That's Correct!
The unique thing about vector files such as AI and EPS is that graphic details (eg. sizes and shapes of objects) and text remains editable. This allows you can save and re-open them in Illustrator and edit text or other elements within the graphic.
Close, but not quite...
The unique thing about vector files such as AI and EPS is that graphic details (eg. sizes and shapes of objects) and text remains editable. This allows you can save and re-open them in Illustrator and edit text or other elements within the graphic.