Failed to read PNG signature: file does not start with PNG signature

Error

ERROR:C:\Users\dharm\AndroidStudioProjects\mhn_app_doctor\android\app\src\main\res\mipmap-xxxhdpi\launcher_icon.png: AAPT: error: failed to read PNG signature: file does not start with PNG signature.

Solution:

The error message “Failed to read PNG signature: file does not start with PNG signature” typically occurs when trying to read or open a file that is supposed to be a PNG image but does not have the correct PNG signature at the beginning of the file.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) files begin with an 8-byte signature that identifies them as PNG images. The signature consists of the following hexadecimal values:

89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A

Each pair of hexadecimal values corresponds to a byte in the file. The signature is used to distinguish PNG files from other types of files.

If you encounter this error, it means that the file you are trying to open or read is not a valid PNG file, either because it is corrupt, has been tampered with, or is a different type of file entirely.

Here are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Verify the file type: Double-check that the file you are trying to open is indeed a PNG file. It’s possible that the file extension is incorrect, or the file has been mislabeled.
2. Check the file integrity: Ensure that the PNG file is not corrupted. If possible, try opening the file with an image viewer that supports error-checking, or use a file recovery tool to attempt to repair any potential corruption.
3. Try opening the file with different software: The error could be related to the software you are using to open the file. Try using a different image viewer or graphic editing software to see if the issue persists.
4. Obtain the file again: If the file is from a download or transfer, try to download or transfer it again. The original file may have been incomplete or damaged during the process.

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it’s possible that the file is severely corrupted or not a PNG file at all. In that case, you may need to seek an alternative source for the image or try to recover the original file from a backup if available.

Reference: Here