GST JSON File Not Opening? Complete Troubleshooting Guide 2026

Why Won’t My GST JSON File Open?

If your GST JSON file (GSTR-1, GSTR-2B, or GSTR-2A) won’t open, you’re likely experiencing one of these common issues:

• 📄 Wrong application - Trying to open with incompatible software
• 💾 File corruption - Incomplete download or transfer error
• 🔒 File permissions - Restricted access or blocked file
• 📱 Device limitations - Mobile/tablet compatibility
• ⚠️ Invalid JSON syntax - Malformed structure
• 🗂️ Wrong file format - Not actually a JSON file

This guide provides solutions for all these scenarios.

Quick Diagnosis: What Error Are You Seeing?

Error Type 1: “No App to Open This File”

Platform: Windows 10/11

What it means: System doesn’t have default app associated with .json files.

Quick Fix:

• Right-click JSON file
• “Open with” → “Choose another app”
• Select Notepad or Notepad++
• ✅ Check “Always use this app”
• Click OK

Error Type 2: “File is Corrupted”

What it means: JSON structure is broken or download incomplete.

Quick Fix:

• Re-download file from GST portal
• Verify file size (should be > 1 KB)
• Try opening in text editor first

Error Type 3: “Invalid JSON Format”

What it means: File doesn’t meet JSON syntax standards.

Quick Fix:

• Don’t edit JSON manually
• Re-download original file
• Use our converter for validation

Error Type 4: File Opens But Shows Garbled Text

What it means: Encoding issue or opened in wrong application.

Quick Fix:

• Open in text editor (not Word/Excel)
• Save as UTF-8 encoding
• Convert to Excel using our tool

Solution 1: Opening JSON in Correct Application

For Windows Users

Best Apps for Opening JSON:

1. Notepad (Built-in)

• Right-click JSON file
• Open with → Notepad
• ✅ Simple, always available
• ❌ No syntax highlighting

2. Notepad++ (Free Download)

• Download from notepad-plus-plus.org
• Install software
• Right-click JSON → Open with Notepad++
• ✅ Syntax highlighting, better readability

3. Visual Studio Code (Free, Best for Developers)

• Download from code.visualstudio.com
• Install
• Drag and drop JSON file
• ✅ Auto-formatting, error detection, folding

4. Convert to Excel (Easiest for Non-Technical Users)

• Visit our converter
• Upload JSON file
• Download Excel - much easier to read!
• ✅ No technical knowledge needed

For Mac Users

1. TextEdit (Built-in)

• Right-click JSON file
• Open With → TextEdit
• Format → Make Plain Text

2. Xcode (Free from App Store)

• Search “Xcode” in App Store
• Install
• Open JSON files with syntax highlighting

3. VS Code (Recommended)

• Same as Windows - download and install

For Linux Users

1. gedit or nano (Terminal)

gedit filename.json
# or
nano filename.json

2. Visual Studio Code Download .deb or .rpm package from official site.

Solution 2: Fix Corrupted JSON Files

Check If File Is Actually Corrupted

Step 1: Verify File Size

• Right-click file → Properties
• Check size:
  • ❌ 0 bytes = Corrupted/empty
  • ❌ < 500 bytes = Likely incomplete
  • ✅ 1 KB - 50 MB = Normal range

Step 2: Open in Text Editor

• If file opens and shows:

  {
    "gstin": "29AABCT1332L000",
    "fp": "032024",
    ...

  ✅ Not corrupted, just needs proper viewer

• If file shows gibberish or ends abruptly: ❌ Corrupted - re-download needed

How to Fix Corrupted Files

Method 1: Re-Download from GST Portal

1. Login to GST Portal
2. Services → Returns → Returns Dashboard
3. Select period
4. Download GSTR-1/GSTR-2B JSON again
5. Important: Wait for complete download (don’t interrupt)
6. Verify file size matches previous attempts

Method 2: Check Download Folder

Sometimes browsers save to different locations:

• Windows: C:\Users\[YourName]\Downloads
• Check browser’s download history
• Look for duplicate downloads

Method 3: Try Different Browser

If file consistently corrupts:

• Try Chrome instead of Firefox (or vice versa)
• Disable browser extensions
• Clear cache before downloading

Solution 3: File Permission Issues

Windows: “Access Denied” Error

Fix 1: Run as Administrator

1. Right-click text editor (Notepad, VS Code)
2. “Run as Administrator”
3. File → Open → Browse to JSON file
4. Open

Fix 2: Change File Permissions

1. Right-click JSON file → Properties
2. Security tab
3. Edit → Add your username
4. Grant “Full Control”
5. Apply → OK

Fix 3: Unblock File

1. Right-click JSON file → Properties
2. General tab
3. Look for “Security” section at bottom
4. ✅ Check “Unblock”
5. Apply → OK

Mac: Permission Denied

Open Terminal and run:

chmod 644 /path/to/file.json

Solution 4: Opening JSON on Mobile Devices

Android

Apps that work:

1. QuickEdit Text Editor (Free)

   • Download from Play Store
   • Open app → Browse to JSON file
   • View content

2. JSON Viewer (Free)

   • Specifically designed for JSON
   • Better formatting than text editors

3. Convert to Excel (Easiest)

   • Open mobile browser
   • Visit our converter
   • Upload JSON
   • Download Excel
   • Open in Google Sheets or Excel app

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Apps that work:

1. Textastic (Paid, $10)

   • Professional code editor
   • Syntax highlighting for JSON

2. Working Copy (Free with in-app purchases)

   • Git client but excellent text editor
   • JSON syntax support

3. Browser Method (Free)

   • Use Safari
   • Visit our converter
   • Upload and convert to Excel
   • Open in Numbers or Excel app

Solution 5: JSON Syntax Errors

Validate JSON Structure

If file opens but shows errors when processing:

Online Validators

JSONLint (jsonlint.com)

1. Open JSON in text editor
2. Copy all content (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C)
3. Paste in JSONLint
4. Click “Validate JSON”
5. Shows exact error line

Common Syntax Errors

Missing Comma:

{
  "gstin": "29AABCT1332L000"
  "fp": "032024"  ❌ Missing comma after gstin
}

Extra Comma:

{
  "gstin": "29AABCT1332L000",
  "fp": "032024",  ❌ Trailing comma before }
}

Unmatched Brackets:

{
  "b2b": [
    {"ctin": "29AABCU1332L000"}
    ]  ❌ Missing closing }

Fix: Re-download original file. Don’t edit manually.

Solution 6: File Format Issues

Verify It’s Actually a JSON File

Check File Extension

Windows:

1. File Explorer → View menu
2. ✅ Enable “File name extensions”
3. Look for .json at end of filename
4. If showing .txt or .json.txt:
   • Rename file
   • Remove extra extension

Mac:

1. Get Info on file (Cmd+I)
2. Check “Name & Extension”
3. Ensure ends with .json

Check File Content

Open in text editor:

• ✅ Should start with { or [
• ✅ Should end with } or ]
• ❌ If starts with <html> = Downloaded error page, not JSON
• ❌ If looks like Excel data = Wrong format

Solution 7: Large File Size Issues

Problem: File Too Large to Open

If JSON file is very large (>20 MB):

Text Editors May Freeze

Solutions:

1. Use VS Code (handles large files better)

2. Convert to Excel directly

   • Our converter handles up to 50 MB
   • Processes in chunks
   • No freezing

3. Use specialized JSON viewers

   • JSON Editor Online
   • JSON Viewer Chrome extension

Solution 8: Encoding Issues

File Shows Weird Characters

If you see � or garbled text:

Fix Encoding

Notepad++:

1. Open file
2. Encoding menu
3. Select “Encode in UTF-8”
4. Save

VS Code:

1. Open file
2. Bottom right shows encoding
3. Click it → “Reopen with Encoding”
4. Select UTF-8
5. If still wrong: “Save with Encoding” → UTF-8

Online Converter: Our tool automatically handles encoding issues.

Solution 9: Opening in Excel Directly (Not Recommended)

Why Excel Can’t Open JSON Directly

Excel expects flat tabular data. JSON has nested structure:

"b2b": [
  {
    "ctin": "...",
    "inv": [
      {
        "inum": "...",
        "itms": [...]
      }
    ]
  }
]

This nesting doesn’t map to Excel rows/columns directly.

Workaround: Use Power Query

For Advanced Excel Users:

1. Excel → Data tab
2. Get Data → From File → From JSON
3. Browse to JSON file
4. Power Query Editor opens
5. Expand nested columns (complex process)
6. Close & Load

Much Easier: Use our converter - automatic flattening and organization!

Solution 10: Opening in Accounting Software

Tally/Busy/SAG Import Issues

If accounting software won’t import JSON:

Check Software Version

• Ensure software supports GST JSON import
• Update to latest version
• Check if it supports current GST JSON format

File Compatibility

• Some software only imports specific formats
• May need conversion to CSV or Excel first

Use Intermediate Conversion

1. Convert JSON to Excel using our tool
2. Export Excel to CSV
3. Import CSV to accounting software

Prevention: Avoid Future Issues

Best Practices

1. ✅ Download directly from portal - Avoid third-party sources
2. ✅ Don’t edit JSON manually - High risk of corruption
3. ✅ Use reliable browser - Chrome or Firefox
4. ✅ Stable internet - Ensure complete download
5. ✅ Backup immediately - Save to cloud after download
6. ✅ Convert to Excel - Easier to work with
7. ✅ Keep original JSON - Don’t delete source file

Recommended Workflow

Download JSON → Backup to cloud → Convert to Excel → Analyze data
     ↓              ↓                    ↓               ↓
Portal      Google Drive      Our Tool           Easy!

When All Else Fails

Last Resort Solutions

1. Contact GST Helpdesk

   • Call: 1800-103-4786
   • Email: helpdesk@gst.gov.in
   • Report persistent download issues

2. Try Different Computer

   • File may be fine, computer issue
   • Try friend’s/colleague’s system

3. Use Our Converter

   • Upload even “corrupt-looking” files
   • Our tool validates and extracts whatever possible
   • Often recovers data from damaged files

Try Converter Now →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does JSON file open in browser instead of text editor?

Browsers can display JSON. To change: Right-click file → Open with → Choose text editor → Set as default.

Can I convert JSON to PDF?

Not directly. Convert to Excel first using our tool, then save Excel as PDF.

Is it safe to upload JSON to online converters?

Our tool processes files 100% in your browser. Data never leaves your device. Completely safe and private.

What if JSON file is password protected?

GST portal doesn’t password-protect JSON downloads. If file asks for password, it may be corrupted or wrong file.

Can I open JSON on Chromebook?

Yes. Use built-in Text app or our online converter in Chrome browser.

Why is my JSON file 0 KB?

Download interrupted or failed. Delete file and re-download from GST portal.

Conclusion

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist:

1. ✅ Check file size (should be > 1 KB)
2. ✅ Verify file extension is .json
3. ✅ Open with text editor (Notepad/Notepad++)
4. ✅ Re-download if corrupted
5. ✅ Unblock file (Windows Security)
6. ✅ Check encoding (should be UTF-8)
7. ✅ Validate syntax using JSONLint

Easiest Solution:

Skip all technical issues - just convert to Excel →

• ✅ No technical knowledge needed
• ✅ Works on any device with browser
• ✅ Handles corrupted files (attempts recovery)
• ✅ Automatic validation
• ✅ User-friendly Excel output
• ✅ 100% private (no upload to servers)

Remember: Most “can’t open” issues are solved by using the right tool. JSON files are meant for data transfer, not human reading. Converting to Excel makes everything easier!

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Related Articles:

• How to Open GSTR-1 JSON Files
• GST JSON Validation Error Fix
• Download GSTR-1 JSON from Portal