Have you ever had a PDF that is very crucial to you and when you open it, you get an error of corruption? In that case, you should know that it might occur because of various reasons like incomplete download, bugs in the software, or storage problems.

Therefore, it’s better to adopt some reliable PDF repair solutions that enables you to restore your file quickly. If you are unsure of the method to consider, review this guide, as it covers a reliable solution with a step-by-step guide for your assistance.

Part 1. Understanding the Causes Behind PDF File Corruption

Part 2. How to Repair Corrupted PDF Files Using the Best File Repair Software

Part 3. Some Quick Solutions to Try for PDF Repair: Top Alternatives

Part 4. Essential Tips to Avoid PDF File Corruption

Part 1. Understanding the Causes Behind PDF File Corruption

There are several reasons why your PDFs may become corrupted, or the system may refuse to open it. Hence, the following is a breakdown of some of the important factors that can cause your PDF to crash:

1. Process Interruptions: If the file transfer between devices is interrupted due to internet connectivity issues, your PDF’s content will not be saved properly. Similarly, interruptions during downloading can also lead to abnormal rendering or even complete file corruption.
2. Improper Handling: The sudden, unexpected removal of flash drives and hard drives can also cause your PDF files to become corrupt and inaccessible. So, this disconnection interrupts the writing process while leaving the file incomplete and damaged, forcing you to seek file repair software. 
3. Hardware Issues: Physical issues with your storage devices can impact the software stored in them. For example, the development of bad sectors in your hard drive can corrupt the PDF saved on it. 
4. System Malware: Viruses and ransomware are likely the most significant causes of file corruption, including PDF files. They interact with and alter the code of the PDF by embedding malicious scripts into it.
5. Problematic Path and File Names: The PDF may be too hard to access due to unnecessarily long storage path names. In addition, giving your PDF invalid characters, including asterisks and colons, may corrupt the file.

Key Features

1. Preserves the Original layout: Repairit preserves the original formatting of your PDF file, keeping its layout, images, and fonts intact.
2. Unlimited Processing: Simultaneously repair PDF files without any size or quantity limits, speeding up your workflow manifold.
3. Full Platform Compatibility: You can conveniently repair corrupted files across operating systems, including both Windows and iOS.

Step-by-Step Guide to Repair Your Corrupted PDF Files

Here is how you can effectively repair your PDF files after installing Repairit software on your system:

Step 1. Launch The Software and Upload Your Documents

Run Repairit software on your PC and select the “Document Repair” option from the “More Types Repair” menu. Import your corrupted PDF files by clicking the “+Add” button or using the drag-and-drop option.

Step 2. Fix Issues by Starting the Repair Process

Once all your desired PDF files have been imported, simply click on the “Repair” button to start the PDF repairing procedure.

Step 3. Preview The Fixes and Download Your Documents

After the repair process is complete, preview and export your fixed PDF files by first pressing the “Save All” button.

Part 3. Some Quick Solutions to Try for PDF Repair: Top Alternatives

For some instances, if you are looking for an online or built-in solution, this section offers you 3 simple methods with a detailed step-by-step guide: 

Navigate to the “Online File Repair” page and click on the “Add” button at the top. In the “File Repair” section, click on the “Add Files” button to upload your corrupted PDF files there.

Step 2. Repair and Preview the Damaged Files

Once your files are uploaded, click on the “Repair All” button to start the recovery process.

Step 3. Download Your Repaired PDF Files Safely

Once the recovery process is over, save the recovered PDF file by clicking the button labeled as “Download All.”

2. Converting PDFs into Other Readable Formats

Converting PDFs into other formats is a handy option to repair corrupted files. Such text extractors as iLovePDF can be utilized to that end. It enables you to convert your PDF to several other formats, including Word, Excel and even a PowerPoint presentation. Follow the step-by-step guide below to start converting your damaged PDFs using iLovePDF:

Step 1. Navigate to the “PDF to Word” page of this tool and tap the “Select PDF file” option to fetch the file from your device.

Step 2. As your file is there, pick the “Convert to Word” option displayed on the screen to start the conversion process.

Step 3. Wait till the process completes and as its done, pick the “Download Word” option to export it, making your file accessible now.

3. Using the Previous File Version Feature in Windows

The previous file version feature, if enabled in Windows, is the most convenient method to repair corrupted files. Windows periodically saves snapshots of your files at different locations. These pre-corruption snapshots can be accessed as “Previous Versions” of the file. Follow the process below to recover your damaged PDFs using this feature:

Instructions. From the File Explorer, pick the file that you seek to recover and right click to access the “Restore as Previous Version” option from the drop-down menu. As the process end, hit the “OK” button on the same menu and see whether the file is restored or not.

Part 4. Essential Tips to Avoid PDF File Corruption

To refrain from the hassle of using file repair software, implement the following tips to save your PDFs from corruption:

1. Keep Proper File Names and Short Paths: Avoid using special characters (slashes, colons) in file names as they can cause compatibility issues with different platforms. Short storage paths should always be used to store the important PDFs so that they can be accessed by PDF readers.
2. Avoid Forced Shutdowns: Do not suddenly close your PDF application during file editing. Sudden app closures and forced system shutdowns lead to incomplete saving and file corruption.
3. Handle Emails with Caution: It is better to download your PDF attachments in emails before opening them. Accessing the attachments directly in your browser may damage the PDF, forcing the need for file repair software.
4. Save Your PDFs Locally: Always work on and save your PDFs in the local storage files of your system. External storage drives are not as protected and are more prone to damage and data loss.
5. Use Antivirus Protection: Protecting your PDFs from the increasing threat of malware is very important. Install an effective antivirus software on your system to protect your PDFs from malicious threats.

Conclusion

While PDFs are a popular document sharing format, the bottom line is that they are not immune to corruption. There are several factors that can damage your PDF file and render it unusable. Repairit, as an AI file repair software, helps you reverse this damage and recover the corrupted PDF.