"Error splicing file: file too large" is an extremely confusing error to encounter—especially if it happens when you’re moving a file to a drive that has more than enough space.

Despite what you might expect, it doesn’t involve the amount of space available on your drive. Luckily, this frustrating error is easy to resolve.

Why Does "Error Splicing File" Happen?

"Error splicing file: file too large" occurs when a file is transferred to a destination drive with a file size limit that is too small. If you encounter this error, you need to check what file system the destination drive uses. In practice, you’re most likely to encounter this issue with drives that use ext or FAT32.

It’s important to note that disk failure can also cause "error splicing file: file too large." If you receive this error despite using an adequate file system, you should check whether disk failure is occurring and take the necessary steps to protect your data.

Fix "Error Splicing File: File Too Large" on Linux

You can resolve the "error splicing file: file too large" error by transferring your files to a destination drive that uses a file system with an appropriately large file size limit. You can accomplish this with two methods: using a different destination drive or formatting the destination drive you’re already using.

You should make sure to copy any files you’d like to keep to an alternative drive before formatting the destination drive. The simplest method of formatting a drive involves an application called GParted. Open the terminal and enter the following commands to update the package repository and install GParted:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install gparted 

Once you've installed GParted, open it and select the destination drive from the list at the top right corner of the window. A panel displaying the drive partitions will appear. Right-click and select Delete on any partitions you don’t intend to use. Finally, right-click on the unallocated partition and select New.

A configuration window for the new partition will appear. You don’t need to adjust most of the default values, but you can do so if you have a specific configuration in mind. Click on the drop-down menu next to File system and select NTFS from the list. Finally, click Add and confirm that you want to format the partition.

Attempt to move the files to the destination drive again. If the underlying issue was that the destination file system was incompatible, "error splicing file: file too large" will be completely resolved.

Use the Right File System to Fix Linux Errors

Resolving "error splicing file: file too large" is a major relief, and it goes to show the importance of using the right file systems for your drives.

While file systems might initially seem mysterious, knowing the distinct advantages and disadvantages of each file system will allow you to make powerful configurations and take full advantage of your drives.

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