7 Proven Ways to Fix the Unexpected End of Archive Error [PC & Mobile]

Encountering the unexpected end of archive error when extracting content from a 7z or RAR archive can be frustrating. Unfortunately, it means one thing: the archive has a problem, and you'll only be able to access your files after fixing it.

So, what does this error really mean and what causes it? How can it be resolved? Read this guide to get the answers and more.

Part 1. Unexpected End of Archive Overview

The "Unexpected end of archive" or "data error" means your 7z or RAR files are damaged or not fully downloaded. The error suggests that 7-Zip or WinRAR can't read the entire archive contents because some sections are damaged or missing.

You will likely encounter this error when compressing or extracting files with your archiver. Especially when dealing with large files.

There are many possible causes of the Unexpected end of data 7zip error. Here are the most common ones:

• Interruptions During Download: Some interruptions may happen if you download the file through a browser. These can range from poor internet connectivity to power failure.
• Virus and Malware: A virus or malware on your device can corrupt your 7z or RAR archive.
• Improper compression of archive: If a compression header file becomes damaged, the archive will be inaccessible.

Part 2. How to Fix the Unexpected End of Archive Error on a Computer?

You can solve this problem with one of these methods. The exact solution depends on what causes the problem in the first place.

Try one of these and recover your data from the 7z or RAR file:

Method 1: Re-download/Recreate the File

One of the fastest ways to fix the "Unexpected end of archive" error is to download the file again. As mentioned, an interrupted download process could be the culprit. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and there are no possible interruptions during the process.

You can also recreate the archive if you can access the original files compressed into the 7z archive. Compress the files again using 7-Zip or an alternative tool.

Method 2: Use the "Keep Broken Files" Option in 7-Zip

7-Zip provides an option to extract files even after encountering errors. You can use this option to recover any files the tool can.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Right-click on your corrupted 7z file, then go to 7-Zip > Extract here.

Step 2: The error may occur; click OK on the message to "bypass" or "ignore" the error.

Step 3: 7-Zip will extract and save as many files as possible. After the extraction, check if you can recover any data from the accessible files.

If the extraction fails and returns the Unexpected end of archive message, try to extract the files using the Test archive option:

Step 4: Right-click the 7z, then go to 7-Zip > Test archive. 7-Zip may still detect errors but will try to find some valid data.

Note: You can also try this method using WinRAR for an RAR archive.

Method 3: Fix 7 Zip Data Error by Restarting 7-Zip

Another easy way to fix your 7z archive is to restart the 7-Zip software. A restart will do the following:

• Clear the temporary files and cache that might interfere with the software's functionality.
• Free up system resources, ensuring that 7-Zip has sufficient resources to work seamlessly.
• Fix any temporary conflicts that might be behind the error.

To restart 7-Zip, follow these steps:

Step 1: All set! If there's anything else you need, just let me know.

Tip: Restarting the computer before moving to the next step is best.

Step 2: Reopen the application.

Method 4: Fix RAR Archive Using WinRAR

If you get the Unexpected end of data error in the RAR archive, you can fix it using the built-in feature of WinRAR. It's easy and quick. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Use WinRAR to open your damaged file, then click on "File", select "Tools", and choose "Repair Archive".

WinRAR will automatically start the repair process.

Step 2: Under the Archive Type tab, select "Treat the corrupt archive as RAR," then click OK.

Step 3: A new window may pop up saying, "Recovery record found". That means your archive files have been successfully repaired. Click Close when the process is complete.

Step 4: Go to Commands, then choose Extract to extract your archive file. The file will be saved in the same folder as the repaired archive.

Method 5: Repair Your RAR Archive Using the Best File Repair Tool

As you already know, the Unexpected end of archive error implies that your archive is corrupted or damaged. Besides WinRAR, you can also use one of the leading file repair tools, Repairit File Repair, to extract your RAR files.

Repairit has new and advanced algorithms that guarantee superior RAR file repair results. In addition, the tool has one of the highest repair success rates in the industry. You can almost always count on it to recover your damaged files.

Also, users find its batch-repair feature very convenient. It saves a lot of time by repairing multiple files simultaneously. The best part is that Repairit provides a Preview of your corrupted RAR files. That way, you can verify the data before starting a full recovery.

Step 1: Install Repairit on your computer—it's supported on both Mac and Windows. Next, open the software and switch to the More Types Repair mode. Here, choose the File Repair option to upload your corrupted RAR files.

Step 2: Click the Repair button to initiate the repair process. Repairit will use its sophisticated algorithms to scan and fix issues.

Step 3: Preview the repaired files, then click Save to save them to your preferred destination on the computer.

Part 3. How to Fix the End of Archive on Android and iPhone?

A corrupted or damaged file can also cause the Unexpected end of archive 7z error on mobile. In this section, you'll learn how to resolve this issue on Android and iPhone.

Fix End of Archive on Android

Sometimes, your Android's file manager might not handle certain corruptions well. That means you're unable to access your file. You can fix the issue using ZArchiver :

ZArchiver is a reputable app for extracting and managing different archive formats, including 7z and RAR. It sometimes handles corrupted archives better than many other apps.

Follow these steps for unexpected end of archive fix Android:

Step 1: Install the ZArchiver on your phone from the Play Store.

Step 2: Open the app and find your corrupted archive file.

Step 3: Try to extract your file by selecting the Extract option.

Even if ZArchiver detects a problem with the archive, it may still allow you to recover several files.

Fix End of Archive on iPhone

You can also repair the Unexpected end of data 7z on iPhone and recover some or all your files from an archive. Like Android, there is one way to do that: using a third-party app.

iZip is a popular and robust archive manager for iOS. It supports various file formats, including 7z and RAR. Here's how to use it:

Step 1: Download and install the app from the App Store.

Step 2: Open the app and search your corrupted archive file.

Step 3: Try extracting the archive's contents by tapping the file and selecting the Extract option.

iZip may be able to extract some or all of the content despite the unexpected end of archive error.

Part 4. Tips to Prevent the Unexpected End of Archive Error

You want to avoid encountering this problem the next time. It's inconvenient and can waste a lot of time. So, here are some valuable tips to keep the problem of unexpected end of archive error away:

1. Backup your files regularly. Having a backup can save you from the stress of encountering damaged files. It guarantees that original files remain accessible should an error occur.
2. Install or update your antivirus. Viruses and malware are among the most significant culprits of corrupted archive files. Ensure your computer has the latest antivirus to scan and remove harmful files.
3. Avoid interruptions during download or transfer. Files mostly get damaged during transfer or download. Avoid disruption in these processes at all costs. You can use a good download manager to download files.
4. Update the compression software regularly. You want your 7-Zip or WinRAR to perform optimally at all times. Regular updates can ensure that it benefits from the latest bug fixes and improvements.

Conclusion

You now know how to solve the Unexpected end of archive error in 7z or RAR files. If you downloaded the archive file from the internet, you can re-download it again. You can also try extracting some of the unbroken files from the archive in 7-Zip.

If you're dealing with RAR files, Repairit File Repair covers you. The software can repair your files in three simple steps. The best part is that it guarantees one of the highest success rates on the market. You can almost always count on it.