4 Ways How to Fix Cura File Could Be Corrupt or Inaccessible Error

The “file could be corrupt or inaccessible” error is a message that you might encounter from time to time when using Cura. This error mainly occurs when Cura is unable to read or access a file you’re trying to work with. I wrote this article to give you some of the potential solutions to this problem.

To fix this error, you’ll need to ensure the file is saved in a folder where Cura can access it and in STL format. You can also try to correct the errors in the file using Meshmixer or Microsoft 3D Builder. If that fails, then you can redownload the files again from the same website or a different one.

This is just an overview of what you need to do to fix this issue. I will go over each method in detail in the article. Please continue reading to find out more.

How to Fix Cura Could Be Corrupt or Inaccessible Error

Below are some of the main ways you can fix the “file could be corrupt or inaccessible” error.

1. Ensure the file is stored in a folder where Cura can access it
2. Correct errors in the file using Meshmixer or Microsoft 3D Builder
3. Convert the file into STL format
4. Redownload the files

1. Ensure the File is Stored in a Folder Where Cura Can Easily Access It

The first thing you should do is ensure that your file is stored in a folder with restricted access. So, if Cura does not have the necessary permissions to access a file, it will generate this error. So, move the file to a folder where Cura can read and work with it without any restrictions.

One user downloaded an STL file through his Gmail, but it would not load onto Cura; instead, he said it was corrupt and inaccessible. As a potential solution, someone told him to make sure the file was in a place that Cura could read it from, i.e., not in a zip archive.

Another user who made models in Blender and exported them in STL format said that he got the “the files could be corrupt or inaccessible” error when trying to upload them into Cura.

Someone said that it could be because of the location where the files were stored. He added that some operating systems restrict applications from accessing things like network drives.

2. Correct Errors in the File Using Meshmixer or Microsoft 3D Builder

Another way to fix the Cura “file could be corrupt or inaccessible” error is to load the file into Meshmixer or Microsoft 3D Builder and repair all those issues. This is because if a 3D model file contains issues in its geometry or structure, it can cause this error.

Software such as Meshmixer and Microsoft 3D Builder can analyze the model and automatically repair common issues, such as holes or non-manifold geometry, eliminating errors. Here is how you can correct non-manifold errors in Meshmixer:

• Import your file into Meshmixer by clicking “Import” or going to File > Import, select it from the folder you stored it, and click “Open”.

• Afterward, go to “Analysis” and select “Inspector”.

• From there, select “Auto Repair All” and then click “Done”. This will fix all the errors in your file.

• Once you’re through, click “Export”, choose where to save your file in STL format, and click “Save”.

One user wanted to know how he could repair his corrupt file in Cura. Someone told him to load those files up in Meshmixer and auto-fix the file or decimate its complexity (lessen the number of triangles that make up the surface).

He added that he had used it on a number of non-manifold models.

Check out this video by Josef Prusa on how to repair files using Meshmixer.

3. Convert the File into STL Format

One of the leading causes of the Cura “file could be corrupted or inaccessible” error is saving your file in a format that Cura can’t handle. Cura primarily works with STL files, so if your model is saved in a different format, e.g., 3MF or OBJ, try converting it back and then opening it again.

This will help to remove any potential issues related to file format compatibility. Here is how to convert an OBJ file to STL format using Meshmixer.

• Open Meshmixer and import your OBJ file from where you stored it.

• Go to “File” and then click “Export”.

• Give your new file a name, choose “STL” as the format, and click “Save”.

Another fast way to do it is to use an online converter. There are many of them that you could choose from. The 3D Convert is a perfect example of a site that lets you convert a 3D model file into many formats. All you need to do is:

• Go to the 3D Convert website, click “Choose a file”, select it, and click the “Next” button.

• Select the output format (STL) by clicking on it and then click “Start Conversion”.

• Once it has been converted, click the “Download” button.

One user wanted to know how he could get rid of the “file could be corrupt or inaccessible” error. Another user suggested trying to save the model as an STL file since it was not created in a format Cura could open.

Alternatively, the user could try opening the OBJ file in an app like Blender, Windows 3D Builder, or other programs and saving/exporting it in STL format.

You can check out the video I linked above to see how to convert a file into STL format from a different one like 3MF using Meshmixer.

4. Redownload the File

A simple solution you can use as a last resort is to delete the existing file and redownload it from a reliable source with a stable internet connection.

Files can potentially get corrupted while downloading them from websites online, which can cause Cura to show the “file could be corrupt or inaccessible” error. So, if you suspect the file itself is the problem, just download it again.

One user who downloaded some files wanted to know how he could fix them since they were corrupted. Someone suggested he contact the designer and ask them to re-upload if the files were corrupt straight from the download.

Alternatively, he suggested downloading the files individually instead of downloading them as part of the zip package. You could also download them as a zip if you previously downloaded them individually.

Another user complained that every time he tried uploading an STL file, he got an error message that read the destination of his file and finished with that it couldn’t be opened because the file was either corrupted or inaccessible.

Someone told them to try downloading the file again, as files could be corrupted during that process.