Error 20: Something went wrong while reading the file

[virare]

When uploading a file through a plugin, sketchfab gives an error

Error 20: Something went wrong while reading the file.

Plugin version 1.6.1
Blender version 4.1.0
Microsoft Edge
Version 123.0.2420.81 (Official build) (64-bit)
I've also tried Google Chrome
Version 123.0.6312.123 (Official Build), (64 bit) — error

When I try to upload a .blend file, I see an error

Error 13: We could not read the model file, or there is no data to display Description

With blender version 3.6.9 all uploads work correctly.

Has anyone encountered this?

[PadreZippo]

Sorry about that. We don't currently support processing .blend files created in Blender 4.x. We hope to get that fixed in the future. For now, we recommend either exporting and uploading one of our other supported file formats such as GLB or FBX, or you can switch to using Blender 3.6 LTS. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[Slasher1091]

Sorry about that. We don't currently support processing .blend files created in Blender 4.x. We hope to get that fixed in the future. For now, we recommend either exporting and uploading one of our other supported file formats such as GLB or FBX, or you can switch to using Blender 3.6 LTS. Sorry for the inconvenience.

How would we change the file format?

[PadreZippo]

You'll need to manually export to GLB from Blender and then upload through the website. The plugin does not support changing the format.

[virare]

@PadreZippo @Slasher1091 I understand. I'm using version 3.6 for exporting.
Thank you!

[dasparadoxon]

I have the same problem. Please fix that if possible, since it is so convient to work with the addon and I switched from 3.x to 4.x.

[EricWood15]

You can drag the 4.x file into 3.6LTS version blender and choose open, then press Ctrl+S to save, blender will ask if you want to overwrite, overwrite and the file will become a 3.6 version file

[r3dgraphix]

Please get this fixed. Blender 4.x has been out for almost 10 months.

[sebas1111111]

Incredible this is still an issue

[Igrium]

It's been out for over a year now. I don't think they're gonna support it.

Shame, because the API didn't change that much, and it uses the glTF exporter under the hood, which has already been updated.

[niedzviad]

Still not working? L O L

[JesseRose216]

This is extremely annoying since 4.0 is a version that's no longer backwards compatible. So users who created their .blend files either need to recreate entire armature from beginning or export as either .fbx or .glb, which break the materials. I seriously ask "Why?" they are doing this but instead of answering, they don't even bother to care. Why do you only accept the blender version that was out 2 years ago and not the new one? That's a sadistic and awful idea. I love how they even acknowlage what's causing the error but does not even bother to change the code. Instead of "Something went wrong while reading the file" why can't we get a simple explanation like ".blend files after version 3.6 is not supported." ? I spent a hour trying to find what is related to this error. You know the reason why error is there, you literally explained it. Is it that hard to change an error text?

[JesseRose216]

It's been months. We are nearly in 2026. Blender 5.0 is out. Anything after 3.6 is still not supported. 3.6 does not even work properly on many Windows 11 computers anymore. Just curious, I exported the model as .glTF and .fbx. Still the same error. If you built the model in anything after 3.6, Sketchfab does not accept it. Don't even bother opening it with an older Blender version. Blender 4.0 and 5.0 are not backwards compatible. This means "opening" and "appending" in older versions is not possible if you made the model in Blender version after 4.0 The solution? Hope for .fbx or .glTF export to not ruin your materials upon import because every Blender version works differently with it. 5.0 does not accept %90 of the exported models for any import so you are stuck. Impossible to uplad the model to sketchfab unless if you recreate the entire model. Same thing for the armature. Impossible to open it in an older version of Blender and export to sketchfab.

Blender is the most popular modelling software for years. Sketchfab is the most popular 3D model website. Still, they don't support anything after 3.6 In 2026, we'll get Windows 12. God knows if it will properly run 3.6's export without problems.

[Igrium]

Honestly, it seems like Epic has completely given up on Sketchfab as a whole in favor of Fab.

…

On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 5:53 AM SnotGob ***@***.***> wrote: *JesseRose216* left a comment (sketchfab/blender-plugin#130) <#130 (comment)> It's been months. We are nearly in 2026. Blender 5.0 is out. Anything after 3.6 is still not supported. 3.6 does not even work properly on many Windows 11 computers anymore. Just curious, I exported the model as .glTF and .fbx. Still the same error. If you built the model in anything after 3.6, Sketchfab does not accept it. Don't even bother opening it with an older Blender version. Blender 4.0 and 5.0 are not backwards compatible. This means *"opening"* and *"appending"* in older versions is not possible if you made the model in Blender version after 4.0 The solution? Hope for .fbx or .glTF export to not ruin your materials upon import because every Blender version works differently with it. 5.0 does not accept %90 of the exported models for any import so you are stuck. Impossible to uplad the model to sketchfab unless if you recreate the entire model. Same thing for the armature. Impossible to open it in an older version of Blender and export to sketchfab. Blender is the most popular modelling software for years. Sketchfab is the most popular 3D model website. Still, they don't support anything after 3.6 In 2026, we'll get Windows 12. God knows if it will properly run 3.6's export without problems. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#130 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AIFMZZBDDWZJ35OPYGXBGGL4BQK4RAVCNFSM6AAAAAB3AMU7ISVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTMNBZGQ2TGOJWGI> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>