How to Fix a WinRAR Archive Corrupt Issue Quickly?

"Corrupt .rar archive in windows, how to repair it?" - Reddit user.

WinRAR is a handy tool that lets you compress files or groups of files into a smaller file. It makes it easier to store, send, or download the said files. But what if the WinRAR archive is corrupted? You may not be able to access its contents or extract them properly.

The good news is that you can still fix it using special software tools. In this guide, we will introduce 3 solutions to this problem.

Part 1. Why is the WinRAR Archive Corrupted?

No one wants a corrupted WinRAR archive. But you have to ask yourself: "How did it become corrupted"? Identifying the cause is necessary to find the solution. On top of that, it informs you of what to do and not to do in the future to avoid the same issue.

Here are the possible reasons for the corruption of a WinRAR archive:

• If the download or file transfer is interrupted.
• Unexpected technical issues like system crashes or power outages during file compression.
• The file you're trying to compress may already be damaged, especially if it's stored on a failing hard drive or exposed to heat or moisture.
• Malware or viruses can freely modify files, causing them to become corrupted.

Part 2. Top 3 Solutions to Fix Corrupted WinRAR Archive

So, what do you do if you find a corrupted WinRAR archive? In this section, we will introduce the 3 best methods for fixing it.

Solution 1. Repair with Repairit RAR Archive Repair Tool

The best way to repair corrupted WinRAR archives is by using file repair tools. Repairit File Repair is an exceptional option. It offers vast features that you will find incredibly useful. The tool even offers batch repair, which allows you to repair multiple files at once. That said, if convenience and ease of use are a priority for you, Repairit is the tool you should try first.

Here is a list of Repairit's key features:

• Repairit supports a long list of file formats, and that includes WinRAR archives.
• Using new and advanced repair algorithms, Repairit offers improved repair success rates.
• It is capable of batch processing, meaning you can repair multiple WinRAR archives at once.
• Repairit lets you preview the corrupted file so you can ensure you are fixing the correct file.
• It is available both on Windows and Mac.

Here is how to repair a corrupted WinRAR archive:

Step 1: Launch Repairit. Then, add your corrupted WinRAR archive by clicking the +Add button through the File Repair option. You can add multiple ones since Repairit has batch-processing capabilities.

Step 2: Click Repair to repair the WinRAR archives. Repairit’s algorithm scans and fixes all file issues.

Step 3: Preview the repaired WinRAR archive and click Save.

Solution 2. Use WinRAR to Repair Corrupt WinRAR Archive

What if your hard drive is almost full, and thus, you can't install another program? The good news is that WinRAR has a built-in repair feature. You can use it instead. However, please note that it is a simple repair tool and lacks the advanced capabilities of the alternatives.

Here is a list of what the WinRAR Repair Archive feature offers:

• As a tool built into WinRAR, it does not require you to install additional tools.
• WinRAR Repair Archive can repair both RAR and ZIP files.
• It offers batch processing.

To use this feature, follow these steps:

Step 1. Launch WinRAR. Click File and then select Open Archive. Alternatively, press the CTRL + O keys on your keyboard.

Step 2. Select the corrupted archives.

Step 3. Once the corrupted archives are loaded, click Tools and select Repair Archive. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut, which is Alt + R.

Step 4. On the pop-up window, click Browse. Select a destination folder for the repaired archive.

Step 5. Select the archive type. It depends on whether the archive is a ZIP or a RAR file. Check the appropriate checkbox and click Ok. WinRAR will repair the file. Wait a few seconds and then check the new file in the destination folder you selected.

Solution 3. Extract Corrupted WinRAR/Zip Archive

What if the WinRAR archive is still corrupted after applying fixes? In that case, your only other choice is to extract its contents, including the broken files. It allows you to access most of its contents. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Right-click on the corrupted WinRAR archive and select Open with WinRAR.

Step 2. Click Extract to and choose a destination folder for the files that are about to be extracted.

Step 3. Under the "Miscellaneous" section, check the checkbox for Keep broken files. Click Ok to start the extraction process.

Part 3. Tips to Avoid WinRAR Archive Corruption

Here are some simple tips to avoid WinRAR archive corruption:

1. Store files on trustworthy, high-quality devices like SSDs or enterprise-grade hard drives. Avoid using old or failing drives.
2. Before downloading or transferring WinRAR archives, check that you have a fast and stable connection. Use private networks instead of public Wi-Fi to prevent interruptions.
3. Regularly check your storage devices for issues. On Windows, use the "chkdsk" command, and on macOS, use Disk Utility.
4. Don’t compress files while your computer is doing resource-heavy tasks, like rendering videos or gaming, as it can cause instability and corrupt files.
5. Power outages can corrupt files. A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) protects your computer from sudden power loss, helping prevent data corruption.
6. Always update WinRAR to the latest version to avoid bugs and reduce the risk of file corruption.
7. When creating RAR archives, enable the recovery record option. This makes the archive easier to repair if it gets corrupted.

Conclusion

Don't worry if a WinRAR archive is corrupted. It can be frustrating, especially with important files, but there are ways to fix it. You can try WinRAR's built-in Repair Archive feature to restore the files. You can also use third-party tools like Repairit File Repair. It's easy to use, even for beginners, and has advanced features to improve recovery success.

If nothing works, you can try force-extracting the archive to save any undamaged files. Remember the tips above to avoid this issue in the future, and archive corruption won't be a big problem anymore.