# Write error when modifying FLAC tags
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/write-error-when-modifying-flac-tags/43515
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [November 9, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/write-error-when-modifying-flac-tags/43515 "2018-11-09T21:30:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@LazerBoi64](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LazerBoi64)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/write-error-when-modifying-flac-tags/43515/1 "2018-11-09T21:30:20Z")
I just downloaded the new Muse album from HDtracks in FLAC format and wanted to modify the tags. I've done this in the past with files I've downloaded from HDtracks and have never encountered a write error. The error that pops up is " File xxxx.flac cannot be opened for writing". I'm using Mp3tag v2.90a. As far as I can tell, the files are not write-protected. The only difference I can see is that the Muse files were encoded using Lavf58.12.100 and other files which I can write to were encoded with Lavf57.34.103 and others.
Any ideas? I've already emailed HDtracks asking about this. Thanks!
---
### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2018, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/write-error-when-modifying-flac-tags/43515/2 "2018-11-09T21:36:15Z")
There was a report about the failure to write tags to flac files because the cover was very large:
> [@Cannot embed large size cover image(s) for FLAC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/cannot-embed-large-size-cover-image-s-for-flac/42923):
>
> When writing tags for FLAC files, the program simily fails if the cover image file that is bigger than about 20mb. I have been wrestling with the cover image which happens to be 35.6mb (PNG file), and the program tells me it cannot write the tag. I reduced the size to 24mb (JPG file) and it still fails to write the tag. Is this limitation of FLAC tag structure? ....My guess is that not many people are that insane enough to put ultra high quality cover art files, but it would be great if this …
Don't know if this is here the case.
---
### Author:  [@LazerBoi64](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LazerBoi64)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/write-error-when-modifying-flac-tags/43515/3 "2018-11-09T21:53:30Z")
Ahhh.....forgot to mention that the cover art _is_ a tiny 18MB! 🙂 I also just received a reply from HDtracks suggesting I perform a FLAC-to-FLAC conversion. I'll try reducing the size of the cover art first and see what happens. Thanks!
---
### Author:  [@LazerBoi64](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LazerBoi64)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/write-error-when-modifying-flac-tags/43515/4 "2018-11-09T23:44:36Z")
Update @ solution...
The problem **was** the 18MB 4000x4000 cover art. After extracting the JPG and resizing it to a 1000x1000 300k file, was able to save and edit without issue. Thanks for the quick help!!!
---
### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/write-error-when-modifying-flac-tags/43515/5 "2026-02-09T12:27:45Z")