How to Fix RAR File is Not Opening Issue?[PC & Mobile]

RAR files are like zip files. If you've received or downloaded an RAR file, you must extract it to gain access to the content within. Sometimes, for strange reasons, it just won't open. If you've encountered a RAR not opening issue for the first time, you might feel confused and frustrated. But you don't have to.

This guide covers possible causes of this problem and different ways of fixing it. Read on to discover a solution that works best for you.

Part 1. Why Is RAR Not Opening?

If you can't open RAR but you've always done it before, something must have gone wrong. The following are possible reasons you're unable to open your RAR file:

The Header is Corrupted

A header carries all the information about the RAR file. If the header is corrupted, your archive might refuse to open. An abrupt termination of the WinRAR software may have caused the corruption.

Improper RAR file Download

If the downloading process is interrupted in any way, your RAR file will most likely be corrupted. Possible interruptions could result from a faulty network connection or unexpected power failure. Similarly, the archive will refuse to open if an interruption happens while extracting the file.

Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) Error

A CRC error may be another reason your RAR file is not opening. While creating the RAR, a checksum is assigned for a specific byte of that file. This checksum will be compared during extraction. A mismatch causes CRC errors, which prevent archives from opening.

Other Reasons RAR Won’t Open

Other common reasons for RAR not opening include:

• Recovery using unreliable apps
• Infection of viruses and malware
• Interruption during file transferring
• Bad sector in the hard disk

Part 2. How to Fix RAR Not Opening the Best Way On a Computer?

As you already know, corruption or any damage will render your RAR file unopenable. You can quickly repair a damaged or corrupted RAR file using a third-party tool. Repairit File Repair is one of the best tools in the market right now. With it, you'll be able to fix your file in three simple steps. But first, here's why you should consider using this software:

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• Repair damaged RAR files with all levels of corruption, including RAR files not opening, RAR folder is invalid, CRC error, etc.

• Repair damaged or corrupted RAR files caused by any reason, such as system crash, file format change, virus attack, etc.

• Perfectly repair corrupted RAR files with a very high success rate, without modifying the original file.

• Automatically decompress, extract, and restore repaired files to their original states

• Enable batch repair for RAR files and files larger than 1G.

• Repairit supports repairing damaged or corrupted PDF, Word, Excel, Zip, and PowerPoint files, support all file formats and versions.

These are the steps to repair your RAR file using Repairit File Repair:

Step 1: Install Repairit on your computer, then open it. From the home page, go to File Repair, then click the +Add button to upload your damaged RAR file.

Step 2: Once you've added your files, click Repair to initiate the repair process. Repairit's algorithm will scan and fix all issues.

Step 3: Preview the repaired RAR file, then click Save to save it to your desired location.

Part 3. Other Ways to Fix the RAR Opening Problem on a Computer

Besides Repairit, you can fix a "can't open RAR" issue using one of the following:

Way 1: Repair RAR File Cannot Open Using WinRAR on Windows

WinRAR will deep scan your RAR file and securely extract the archive. It will then restore the file, keeping the original content intact. It can repair most types of file damages, including "Cannot open a file."

Follow these steps to repair your RAR file:

Step 1: Right-click your damaged RAR file and choose Open With. Choose WinRAR archiver.

Step 2: In the WinRAR tab, click Tools, then select Repair Archive.

Step 3: Choose where to save the repaired file, then click OK.

Step 4: WinRAR will fix your file and save the repaired archive in the location you just selected. Click Close to exit.

Step 5: Right-click the rebuilt file and choose Extract Here to unpack its content.

Way 2. Extract File Without Repairing Errors on Mac/Windows

Yes, you can extract your RAR file without repairing it. This method allows you to "bypass" errors to complete the extraction. Though you may not recover all the files, you'll be able to cover many of them from the corrupted archive.

These are the simple steps:

Step 1: Right-click the folder that contains the damaged RAR file, then choose Extract Files.

Step 2: In the extraction window, check the Keep broken files option. Then, select a location to save the extracted file. Click OK to initiate the extraction.

Step 3: You may still see errors. If you do, click Close and let the process continue. Once it's completed, you'll be able to access the RAR archive contents.

Note that some files may still be missing due to corruption. You can try other methods to recover those missing files.

Way 3: Fix the Cannot Open RAR Issue Online on Mac/Windows

You can also repair a "cannot open RAR" file online using one of the many web-based repair tools. One of them is FabConvert Online File Repair. This tool will analyze your file, identify issues, and fix them within seconds, depending on the file size. The tool is secure and works on any device and web browser.

Follow these steps to fix RAR files with FabConert Online File Repair:

Step 1: Open a browser on your Mac or Windows and search for the tool.

Step 2: Click Select File(s) to upload up to 100MB of the corrupted file. You can also drag and drop the RAR file.

Step 3: The tool will scan your file and try to repair it. You can choose to repair or convert the file and download it within 15 minutes.

Way 4: Fix RAR File Cannot Open Using Unarchiver on Mac

You can also extract your RAR file on Mac using The Unarchiver. Follow these steps to unzip the file using this tool:

Step 1. Download and install the software.

Step 2. Once installed, open it and go to Preferences. Ensure RAR Archive is selected in the Archive Formats tab.

Step 3. Select the Extraction tab, then choose how you wish to save the extracted folder. You can save it in the same folder as the archive or in a new folder. Close the Preferences windows.

Step 4. Right-click the RAR file you want to open and select Open With. Choose The Unarchiver.

Step 5. Confirm the destination folder for your unzipped RAR files, then click Extract.

The RAR file is now opened and you can access your files in your chosen Mac folder.

Part 4. How to Fix RAR Not Opening on Mobile?

You know how to open a RAR file on a computer: Windows or Mac. But if you have the file on a smartphone, we'll show you how to fix the issue on iPhone and Android.

Way 1: Fix Can't Open RAR File On iPhone Using iZip

If a RAR file does not open on your iPhone, you can fix the issue using iZip. This application is free to download from the App Store.

Once the app is installed on your iOS device, follow these steps to open the file:

Step 1. Find the RAR file you wish to open and tap the iOS share icon.

Step 2. Select iZip from the options.

Step 3. You'll be prompted to unzip all files. Select OK.

You have now gained access to your RAR file archive, which will be in a new folder with the same name as your original file.

Way 2: Fix Can't Open RAR on Android Using WinZip

If you can't open RAR files on Android, don't worry. Many applications can help. The most popular app is WinZip.

So, first install it on your Android, then follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open WinZip, then tap Start. WinZip is a paid app, but you can choose to use the free trial.

Step 2. Find the RAR file you wish to open. Tap the three dots button and select Unzip.

Step 3. Select a destination folder for your extracted files, then tap Unzip Here.

Your file is now extracted. You'll find it in a new folder with the same name as the original RAR file.

Conclusion

After reading this guide, fixing a "RAR not opening" issue is straightforward. You have learned that a corrupted RAR file won't open, but most importantly, you have learned how to fix such issues. One of the best tools for repairing file damage or corruption is Repairit File Repair. It's easy to use, quick and boasts one of the highest file repair success rates. Try Repairit today!