Have you ever had a PDF that won't open in Adobe Reader? It's a common and frustrating problem, especially when you need important information quickly. Fortunately, you can fix it using the Adobe PDF repair tool and other reliable third-party tools.
This guide explains why PDF files might get corrupted and how to prevent it. It also shows you how to repair a PDF using Adobe's tool and other methods. Whether you use PDFs casually or for work, these tips will help you fix your files.
In this article
Part 1: Why Adobe PDF File Get Corrupted?
There are a few reasons why PDFs might get all messed up:
- Download Trouble: The download process can be interrupted due to network instability or other unforeseen circumstances. This interruption can result in an incomplete file. Incomplete PDFs lack the necessary data for proper rendering within Adobe Acrobat.
- Storage Issues: Similar to the limitations of a cluttered workspace, insufficient storage capacity on a computer's hard drive can hinder the proper saving of files. This can lead to data corruption within the PDF file.
- Incompatible Programs: PDFs follow specific formatting standards. Using software that isn't compatible with Adobe Acrobat to create PDFs can lead to formatting issues, making it hard for Adobe Acrobat to read the file correctly.
- Virus Problems: Malicious software can be a threat to the integrity of your files. In some instances, a virus may corrupt a PDF file. This makes the PDF unreadable by Adobe Acrobat.
- Power Outages or Sudden Shutdowns: Abrupt computer shutdowns, whether due to power outages or system crashes, can affect opening PDF files. If such a shutdown occurs while working on a PDF, it can lead to file corruption.
Part 2: How to Repair PDF File using Adobe PDF Repair Tool?
PDF files can get corrupted any time. However, you can use Adobe Acrobat and its built-in repair tool to fix these issues. Here is a step-by-step process on how to repair a PDF file using Adobe PDF Repair Tool. You'll find simple solutions here to help you troubleshoot and repair your corrupted PDF files.
Step 1: Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader. Choose "Check for Updates" from the Help menu. Install any available updates.
![adobe check for updates](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/article/adobe-pdf-repair-1.jpg)
Step 2: Go to Help and select Repair Installation. Follow the instructions to repair the installation.
![adobe repair installation](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/article/adobe-pdf-repair-2.jpg)
![icon note](https://images.wondershare.com/assets/images-common/icon-note.png)
Step 3: Locate your PDF file in your file explorer. Right-click the file and select Restore previous versions. Choose a previous version from the list and click Restore.
![adobe restore previous versions](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/article/adobe-pdf-repair-3.jpg)
![icon note](https://images.wondershare.com/assets/images-common/icon-note.png)
By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and potentially repair your corrupted PDF file using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Part 3: How to Repair PDF File without Adobe PDF Repair Tool?
While Adobe Acrobat offers some options for potentially recovering corrupted PDFs, there are situations where you might need additional tools. Here are the alternative methods aside from Adobe PDF Repair Tool:
Method 1: Repair PDF File using a Reliable PDF Repair Software
If Adobe Acrobat's built-in tools don't meet your needs, you might want to try dedicated PDF repair software. These specialized programs are designed to fix damaged PDF files and recover their content. Try Repairit File Repair.
![pdf repair](https://images.wondershare.com/recoverit/images2019/video-repair/video-repair-box-lg.png)
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Repair damaged files with all levels of corruption, including blank PDF, PDF not opening, PDF picture issues, PDF color issue, PDF fonts missing, unreadable pdf, etc.
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Fix text, hyperlinks, forms, headers, footers, graphs, watermarks in PDF, etc
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Perfectly repair corrupted files with a very high success rate, without modifying the original file.
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No limit to the number and size of the repairable files.
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Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.10~macOS 13.
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Except PDF, Repairit also supports all formats of Word, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ZIP, and Adobe files.
While there are many PDF repair programs available, we recommend considering Repairit File Repair because it can be a helpful tool in getting your important documents back on track. Repairit has a strong reputation for successfully fixing corrupted PDFs, even if they're badly damaged. It's also built to be user-friendly. You won't need any special technical skills to navigate the program.
As an added bonus, Repairit can not only repair PDFs but also fix other common file types you might use, like Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. Just remember, whenever you're downloading software, it's important to choose a reputable source. Do some research and read reviews before downloading anything to make sure it's safe and reliable.
Step 1: Open Wondershare Repairit. Look for More types Repair. Choose File Repair and click the +Add button.
![import pdf file to repairit](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/repairit/file-repair/add-corrupt-files.png)
Step 2: Select your PDF file and click the Repair button to start the process.
![repair pdf file using repairit](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/repairit/file-repair/click-repair-after-add-corrupt-files.png)
Step 3: You can preview the results. Once you’re satisfied, click Save and choose a target path on your computer.
![repairit save repaired pdf file](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/repairit/file-repair/choose-a-path-to-save.png)
Repair PDF File without Adobe PDF Repair Tool Now
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Method 2: Repair PDF File using Online PDF Repair Tool
If you're looking for a quick and convenient option without downloading software, there are free online PDF repair tools available. These websites like iLovePDF let you upload your corrupted PDF directly from your web browser and attempt to fix it on the spot.
Here’s how to repair PDF file on iLovePDF:
Step 1: Go to iLovePDF’s website. Click on the Select PDF File button and open your corrupted PDF.
![repair pdf file using ilovepdf](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/article/adobe-pdf-repair-4.jpg)
Step 2: Select Repair PDF to start the process.
![repair pdf file using ilovepdf](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/article/adobe-pdf-repair-5.jpg)
Step 3: Once done, click Download to save your repaired PDF file.
![download repaired pdf file using ilovepdf](https://images.wondershare.com/repairit/article/adobe-pdf-repair-6.jpg)
![icon note](https://images.wondershare.com/assets/images-common/icon-note.png)
Conclusion
In conclusion, with the right tools and knowledge, you can effectively repair and restore your PDFs. Adobe PDF repair tool provides a reliable solution for this issue. However, third-party software like Repairit and online tools like iLovePDF offer additional options for more stubborn cases. By understanding the common causes of PDF corruption and following the repair steps, you can lessen interruptions and keep your documents accessible.
FAQ
What are the signs that a PDF file is corrupted?
Common signs of a corrupted PDF file include error messages when trying to open the file and the file not responding or freezing Adobe Reader. Missing or scrambled content, and an inability to print the document are also signs. You might also see that the file size is unusually small or large compared to similar files.Is it possible to recover data from a severely corrupted PDF file?
Recovering data from a badly corrupted PDF can be tough but not impossible. Advanced tools like Repairit might recover some or all content. Sometimes, manual reconstruction is needed by extracting text and images and creating a new document.How can I prevent PDF files from getting corrupted in the future?
To prevent PDF corruption, always save and close files properly before shutting down your computer. Use reliable storage devices and keep software updated. Regularly back up important PDFs and avoid unstable internet connections for downloads. Also, use trusted PDF software to reduce risks.