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Zarina_16
Zarina_16
New Member
September 29, 2026
Solved

File cannot be opened — “out of browser memory” even after Recovery Mode and version restore

Title:
File cannot be opened — “out of browser memory” even after Recovery Mode and version restore

Post text:

Hello,

I’m having a serious issue with an important Figma file that I can no longer open.

Every time I try to open the file, Figma shows:

“This file has run out of browser memory.”

I am using the Figma Desktop app on macOS.

I have already tried:

  • Recovery Mode
  • thumbnails-only=1
  • restoring multiple older versions
  • restoring both “Before syncing changes” and “After syncing changes” Offline Sync checkpoints
  • restoring versions from September 28

Unfortunately, the file still immediately shows the same memory error.

When I open the file with thumbnails-only=1, the canvas appears completely empty, so I am unable to safely select or delete heavy content.

The version history contains many Offline Sync checkpoints. I am concerned about recovering the latest usable version without losing synced or previously offline changes.

File key:
[File key redacted by forum moderator to remove PII]

File URL:

[File URL redacted by forum moderator to remove PII]
 

Could a Figma Support Specialist please review this file and advise whether:

  • the latest usable version can be recovered;
  • the file can be duplicated or repaired server-side;
  • a specific page, image, or object is causing the memory limit issue.

I can provide screenshots of the error message and the Offline Sync version history if needed.

Thank you.

    Gayani_S
    Gayani_SSolution
    Community Support
    September 29, 2026

    Hey ​@Zarina_16, thanks for reaching out!

    Recovery mode, restoring multiple versions, and trying both Offline Sync checkpoints, plus opening with thumbnails-only=1, is exactly the right troubleshooting path.

    Since the file is failing immediately and the standard recovery options aren't resolving it, the next step needs someone on our customer support team to look at the file directly.

    Could you open a request through our Support Hub with the following?

    1. The file URL, shared with support-share@figma.com at "Can view" access so we can take a closer look (this won't affect your billing). You can do this from the file browser without needing to open the file itself.
    2. A quick note on the troubleshooting you've already done (feel free to copy what you shared here)
    3. A screenshot of the error 

     

    Once we're able to open the file ourselves, we'll be able to see what's actually driving the memory use and take it from there.

     

    For anyone else finding this thread, our guide on Reduce memory usage in files covers the general steps. 

    View in thread

    1 reply

    Gayani_S
    Figmate
    Gayani_SSolution
    Community Support
    September 29, 2026

    Hey ​@Zarina_16, thanks for reaching out!

    Recovery mode, restoring multiple versions, and trying both Offline Sync checkpoints, plus opening with thumbnails-only=1, is exactly the right troubleshooting path.

    Since the file is failing immediately and the standard recovery options aren't resolving it, the next step needs someone on our customer support team to look at the file directly.

    Could you open a request through our Support Hub with the following?

    1. The file URL, shared with support-share@figma.com at "Can view" access so we can take a closer look (this won't affect your billing). You can do this from the file browser without needing to open the file itself.
    2. A quick note on the troubleshooting you've already done (feel free to copy what you shared here)
    3. A screenshot of the error 

     

    Once we're able to open the file ourselves, we'll be able to see what's actually driving the memory use and take it from there.

     

    For anyone else finding this thread, our guide on Reduce memory usage in files covers the general steps. 

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