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4 Methods to Repair Corrupted or Damaged PDF File

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

Do you work with PDF (Portable Document Format) files? The file format developed by Adobe contains all the required components that are vital to show the entire document in one layout. Irrespective of the operating system, you can easily share this highly secure document.

While working on these files, users encounter error messages like - your PDF file is corrupted or not readable? Are you also getting this error? When you see such messages, it can even lead to the loss of your important data. Are you wondering now how to repair corrupted PDF?

This article will guide you with the possible reasons for corrupted or damaged PDF files and various ways to repair corrupted or damaged PDF file. If your PDF file is deleted accidentally, you can quickly recover it with Recoverit Data Recovery.

Possible Reasons for PDF File Corrupted or Damaged?

While uploading, downloading, or during your everyday use, the PDF file can get corrupted anytime. Some of the possible causes for its damage or corruption are:

The cause of the corruption of PDF files can be any. If you are also into such a situation, repair the PDF easily with the methods discussed in the next part.


How to Repair Corrupt or Damaged PDF files

Whenever you come across such a situation, where your important PDF file gets corrupted, do not panic. Try some basic troubleshoots like:

However, if none of the above listed troubleshoots work, there is nothing to worry about. We are listing below the effective methods for recovering your important PDF document. Follow the detailed steps and repair PDF file easily and quickly.

1. Try other PDF Reader utilities

When you are facing trouble while accessing your PDF files, before searching on how to repair PDF file check whether the problem is with the PDF reader or file. For checking the problematic area, you can consider opening it with other PDF reader tool.

You can check online, the search engine will make you available with numerous PDF readers. Select the compatible one and try opening your file in it. If the file fails to open, try the next method to repair the corrupted PDF.

2. Restore previous file version

Option 1: Restore previous file version using the in-built backup utility tool

Windows 10 users can use the in-built backup utility tool to restore the previous version of the inaccessible PDF file. Proceed with the following steps:

Step 1: Open Update and Security

Press the Windows button and select settings to reach update and security

update and security highlighted

Step 2: Restore the backup and get access to your PDF file

Option 2: Restore previous file version using the File history feature

If you have not taken the backup, then you can also try the File history feature to restore the previous version of the file.

Step 1: Right on your file in Windows Explorer and click on "Properties."

Step 2: Move to the previous versions tab to restore.

previous version

Check the previous versions of the PDF files. Click on the latest or the right version and check whether it is the one that will restore your file into the system.

If the previous version unable to restore your file, you can repair PDF online with the online tool.

3. Use a free online PDF repair tool

To repair PDF file online, you can try "Sejda," a free online tool used to repair damaged PDF. You can repair a PDF file with 200 pages or a document of 50 MB. The tool allows 3 tasks per hour and keeps your files private before automatically deleting it after 2 hours.

Repair corrupted PDF file with the following steps:

Step 1: Select Files

upload pdf files

After opening the "Sejda.com" website, click on "Upload PDF files" to select the corrupted file. You can even drag and drop your file to the page to begin the repairing process.

Step 2: Repair PDF

After loading the file, click on the "Repair PDF" and wait until the process completes.

4. Try professional PDF repair software

Stellar, the professional tool is effective software that can repair damaged PDF files easily. It is compatible with your Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 and supports PDF files of versions 1.3 to 1.7. Stellar helps you in restoring all the content of the PDF. It includes tables, page format, word art, comments, headers, footers, etc.

Features:

If you are wondering how to repair a damaged PDF file, then here are the detailed steps for you.

Step 1: Add Corrupted PDF

add file

Open the main interface of the Stellar PDF repair tool and select the corrupted file by clicking on the "Add file option." If you want to repair more than one file, you can add more PDf files with the use of the "Add" button.

Step 2: Repair the PDF

repair in progress

After adding files, click on the "Repair" button to begin the repairing process. When the repairing is in progress, you can stop the process anytime in between the on-going repairing process.

Step 3: Preview and Save

pdf preview

Once the repairing process completes, view the repaired PDF file, by clicking on the "OK" button. When you are sure that the file is repaired completely save it at the desired location.


How to recover PDF file deleted accidentally

While accessing your PDF files, sometimes you accidentally hit the delete button, and your important data is lost. You strive to get your lost data. If you are in the same situation, do not worry. Data loss is not a matter of concern unless you have the Recoverit Data Recovery.

This ultimate software supports above 1000 file types and formats and can successfully recover data from your hard drive, recycle bin, desktop, and even from external devices. Does not matter how you have lost your data, the software can recover your files deleted under different scenarios.

Recover your deleted PDF file with the following three easy steps:

Step 1: Select a location

recoverit interface

Download and launch the software Recoverit on your system. Choose the location from where the PDF file is deleted from your system. After the location selection, click on the "Start" button.

Step 2: Scan the location

operations during scanning

When the scanning is running, you can add filters to let the software search for the specific file. During the scan, if you have found your deleted PDF file, you can even stop it in-between. However, if the scan completes and but you have not got your lost PDF file, you can try "advanced search."

The "advanced" feature allows the software to do an in-depth search and look for the deleted PDF file.

Step 3: Preview and save

preview recovered pdf

When the scan completes the software allows you to preview your recovered files. After verifying your PDF file, click on the "Recover button and save the file to the required location.

Note: While selecting the location to save the recovered file, it is recommended never to save on the same path from where you have lost your data. This can overwrite your precious data.

With this step, you have successfully recovered your important PDF file.

Conclusion

PDF files saved on your computer or any other storage media can get damaged or corrupted anytime. The reason for data corruption can be any, but you can easily recover them. We have discussed various ways of recovering your damaged or corrupted PDF file. Stellar Repair for PDF is the most recommended software to recover your PDF files.

However, during the recovery process or while working on the PDF file if you accidentally delete your file, Recovereit Data Recovery software can help you in recovering it.

Recoverit author

Amy Dennis

staff Editor

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