Tips to open NCX file

Can't open the NCX file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open NCX files as well as a list of programs that support NCX files.

NCX file extension

File Name EPUB Navigation Control XML Format
File Developer IDPF
File Category Text Files

The NCX file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the NCX files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the NCX file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 3
  • 4
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is NCX file?

The NCX file has been categorized as Text Files. The creator of this file is IDPF. Text Files consists of 440 similar files. EPUB Navigation Control XML Format appears on 3 operating systems as a functional file. Although it can be found with greater or lesser success on any operating system, it will only be useful on Linux, Mac OS, Windows. It is recommended to use Adobe Digital Editions to handle this file. This is a program created by Adobe Systems Incorporated. Alternatively, you can use 8 other programs. The Adobe InDesign, Calibre, FBReader programs will also handle the file when the Adobe Digital Editions program does not fulfill its role.

How to open NCX file?

The most common problem when using EPUB Navigation Control XML Format is that a specific NCX is not associated with the program. Thus, when you open NCX, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the NCX file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Adobe Digital Editions

In this case, you should first verify that the Adobe Digital Editions application is installed on the computer. This can be achieved by typing Adobe Digital Editions into the operating system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below you will find a list of applications that support NCX files.

Step 2. Create association of Adobe Digital Editions with NCX files

If, despite the installed application, the NCX file does not start in the Adobe Digital Editions application, you must create a file association. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the NCX file with the Adobe Digital Editions application.

Step 3. Update Adobe Digital Editions to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the Adobe Digital Editions program, it is possible that EPUB Navigation Control XML Format requires a newer version of the program. In this case, use the Adobe Systems Incorporated website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the NCX file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. The most common file problems are:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the NCX file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our NCX file. However, remember that not every infected NCX file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the NCX files changes over time. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged NCX files. You can restore the file from a backup or use IDPF help.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted NCX files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. It is best to move NCX to a different directory.
This problem usually affects more complex files. In this case, the NCX file is blocked by the first application to open it. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file NCX to close. However, some background programs may block the NCX file while scanning. If the problem persists, restart the machine.