PDF File Won't Open?
When Adobe Reader, Preview, Chrome, or other PDF viewers display error messages or fail to load your file, the cause is often structural damage to the PDF's internal format. PDFRepair attempts to rebuild the file so readers can parse it correctly.
Common Error Messages
If you see any of these, your PDF likely has structural damage:
"The file is damaged and could not be repaired""Format error: not a PDF or corrupted""There was an error opening this document""Invalid PDF structure""Failed to load PDF document"Why PDFs Fail to Open
Most "won't open" errors trace back to these issues:
- Incomplete file header
The first few bytes that identify a file as PDF are missing or malformed
- Broken cross-reference table
The index that tells readers where content is located got corrupted
- Interrupted save operation
App crash or power loss during save left the file incomplete
- File system corruption
Disk errors or failed transfers damaged stored data
How PDFRepair Works
The recovery process attempts several techniques in sequence:
Extract whatever valid PDF objects and content streams remain
Reconstruct the cross-reference table so readers know where content lives
Rewrite the file in a clean, standards-compliant format
Confirm the recovered file opens in standard readers
Frequently Asked Questions
Will recovery guarantee the file opens?
Not always. If critical data is missing or overwritten, recovery may not be possible. PDFRepair shows you the result immediately—you only pay if recovery succeeds.
Will the content look the same?
Usually yes, but formatting may differ if font data or layout instructions were damaged. Text content should remain intact if it was readable in the original file.
What if the file is password-protected?
PDFRepair handles corruption, not encryption. If your file requires a password and you don't have it, recovery tools cannot help.
How long does recovery take?
Most files are processed in 10–30 seconds. Large or severely damaged files may take up to 2 minutes.