Repair PDF

Fix a damaged PDF that will not open or shows errors. Rebuilds the file structure first, then recovers pages as images if needed.

Reviewed by Dany, RightSums team · Updated

Runs in your browser. Your files are not uploaded.

pdf-optimize · PDF tool · UK & US

First the tool checks that the file really is a PDF by looking for the %PDF header; a renamed or partly downloaded file is flagged straight away. It then reads the document with a lenient parser and writes a fresh copy with a rebuilt cross-reference table, checking that the first and last pages can be read. When that works, all pages are recovered with their text, links and quality intact. If the structure cannot be fixed but the pages can still be displayed, each page is rebuilt as a 200 DPI image instead, which means text is no longer selectable until you run PDF OCR. Password-protected files are supported. Badly damaged files may not be recoverable, and nothing is uploaded.

Accepted inputs

  • PDF (damaged or corrupted)

Outputs

  • PDF (repaired)

How to use the Repair PDF

  1. Drop the damaged PDF into the box; the tool accepts files other readers refuse to open.
  2. Click Repair PDF, and enter the password if the file turns out to be protected.
  3. The tool rebuilds the structure, or falls back to recovering each page as an image.
  4. Read the note explaining which method worked, then download the repaired PDF.

Frequently asked questions

How do I fix a PDF that will not open?

Load the file here and click Repair PDF. The tool rebuilds its internal structure and saves a clean copy. If that fails, it recovers each readable page as an image so you at least get the content back.

Can every corrupted PDF be repaired?

No. Broken cross-reference tables and minor structural errors are usually fixable. If the file is missing large parts of its data, or is not a PDF at all, there may be nothing left to recover.

Why is the text not selectable in my repaired PDF?

The structure could not be fixed directly, so each page was rebuilt as a 200 DPI image. The content is visible but not searchable. Run the file through PDF OCR to add a text layer again.

What causes a PDF to become corrupted?

Common causes are downloads that stopped early, email systems that mangle attachments, failing drives or USB sticks, and apps that crashed while saving. Downloading the file again is worth trying first.

Is my damaged PDF uploaded?

No. Repair runs entirely in your browser, which matters when the broken file is a contract, bank statement or medical letter. Nothing is sent to a server or stored.

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