PDF Rejected by Upload System?
Many upload portals validate PDF structure before accepting files. Even if your PDF opens locally, validation systems may reject it due to internal structural issues. PDFRepair attempts to rebuild the file to pass common validation checks.
Why Upload Systems Reject PDFs
Upload validation is stricter than just "can it open." Systems check for:
- Valid PDF version header
Must start with "%PDF-1.x" in exact format
- Cross-reference table integrity
Object index must be complete and correctly formatted
- EOF marker presence
File must end with proper trailer and EOF marker
- Metadata compliance
Some systems require PDF/A or specific metadata fields
- No binary corruption
All required objects must parse without errors
Common Rejection Scenarios
Courts require strict PDF compliance for legal documents. Scanned files or documents saved from old software often have structural issues that trigger rejection.
Universities validate thesis and dissertation uploads. PDFs created through multiple conversions (Word → PDF → scan → PDF) accumulate structural problems.
Agency portals often require PDF/A compliance. Standard PDFs may be rejected even if they open normally.
Resume portals parse PDF content for keywords. Corrupted structure prevents parsing and triggers rejection.
Recovery Process
PDFRepair performs automated structural reconstruction:
Identify which structural components are damaged or non-compliant
Reconstruct cross-reference tables and object streams
Rewrite in standards-compliant format optimized for validation
Verify the recovered file meets basic validation requirements
Important: PDFRepair improves structural compliance but cannot guarantee acceptance by specific portals. Some systems have unique requirements beyond standard PDF validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this definitely make my PDF uploadable?
Not guaranteed. PDFRepair fixes common structural issues, but each system has different validation rules. Most upload rejections are due to structural problems that recovery can address.
My file opens fine locally. Why won't it upload?
PDF readers are forgiving and can open files with structural issues. Upload validation systems are strict and reject files that don't meet exact specifications. Your file likely has minor corruption that readers ignore.
What if recovery doesn't help?
If the portal still rejects the recovered file, the issue may be system-specific (like requiring PDF/A compliance) or the file may need manual recreation. You only pay if recovery succeeds.
How quickly can I retry uploading?
Most files are recovered in under 30 seconds. You can attempt re-upload to your target system immediately after downloading.