How to use
- Choose or drop the PDF that won't open. Files with the wrong extension (such as .part or .download) are fine too.
- The tool checks and repairs it automatically, then lists the problems found and the number of pages recovered.
- Click Download and open or upload the repaired PDF again.
Options explained
- Cross-reference table
- The index at the end of a PDF that records where each object starts. A faulty save by an editing app, a truncated file or extra data in front of the PDF can make it point to the wrong place. It is rebuilt from the objects actually in the file.
- Page list
- Records which pages exist and in what order. If it is lost, the pages found in the file are put back in order of their object numbers, which may differ from the original order.
- Stray data
- Files saved from a web page or email can carry HTML or MIME boundaries before or after the PDF data. These are removed.
- Output structure
- The repaired file does not use object streams, so older readers and strict upload systems accept it. Page content, bookmarks and forms are kept.
What kind of damage can be fixed
| Symptom | Common cause | After repair |
|---|---|---|
| “The file is damaged and could not be repaired” | The cross-reference table points to the wrong places, for example after an editing app saved it incorrectly | The table is rebuilt from the actual object positions |
| A PDF downloaded from a website won’t open | HTML was saved in front of the PDF, or the download was an error page | Stray data is removed; if it is not a PDF at all, you are told so |
| The file is smaller than expected and pages are missing | Incomplete download or interrupted copy | The complete part is kept and the last incomplete object is dropped |
| The PDF opens with no pages | The page list was lost | Pages found in the file are put back in order |
Repair only touches the file structure; text, images and layout on the pages are not changed. Open the repaired file and check it before deleting the original.
Frequently asked questions
Which PDFs can be repaired?
Structural damage can be fixed — a wrong or missing cross-reference table, extra data before or after the PDF, a missing end-of-file marker, a lost page list. Content that is missing from the file cannot be recovered; if only half of the file was downloaded, the text and images of the rest are simply not there.
What does "No structural problems found" mean?
The file's structure is fine. It is still saved again with a clean, standard structure, which some strict systems (for example ones that do not accept object streams) handle better. If it still won't open, the cause may be encryption, fonts or the app itself.
Can I repair a password-protected PDF?
Not directly. Remove the password with Unlock PDF first, then repair it. If an encrypted file is too damaged to decrypt, it cannot be processed.
Will a digital signature still be valid after repair?
No. A digital signature covers every byte of the file, so it no longer matches once the file is saved again. If you need the signature, ask the sender for a new copy.
Are my files uploaded?
No. Repair happens entirely in your browser and the file never leaves your device.
Privacy
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files and text are processed on your device and are never uploaded to our servers.