How to recover corrupted pdf file​？

I. Use Adobe Acrobat Pro

Built – in Repair Feature:

Adobe Acrobat Pro has a built – in function to repair damaged PDFs. Open Adobe Acrobat Pro and go to the “File” menu. Then select “Open” and navigate to the corrupted PDF file. In some cases, Acrobat Pro will automatically detect and attempt to repair the file during the opening process.

If it doesn’t start the repair automatically, you can try the “Save As” option. When you choose “Save As,” Acrobat may perform some error – checking and repair operations in the background and save a new, hopefully uncorrupted, version of the file.

Previous Versions:

If you have enabled the option to save previous versions of the file (for example, through cloud storage services that support versioning like Adobe Document Cloud), you may be able to restore an earlier, uncorrupted version of the PDF.

II. Use Third – Party PDF Repair Tools

PDF Repair Kit:

PDF Repair Kit is a dedicated software for fixing corrupted PDF files. It can handle a wide range of corruption issues such as damaged headers, incorrect file formatting, and missing data.

After installing the software, you launch it and add the corrupted PDF file to the program’s interface. The software then scans the file for errors and attempts to repair it. It reconstructs the damaged elements of the PDF using its advanced algorithms.

It also provides a preview option, allowing you to see the repaired content before saving the file to ensure that the repair was successful.

Stellar Phoenix PDF Repair:

Stellar Phoenix PDF Repair is another powerful tool. It is designed to recover text, images, hyperlinks, and other elements of a corrupted PDF.

The software works by analyzing the internal structure of the PDF file. It first creates a copy of the original file and then starts the repair process. It can handle files that have been corrupted due to virus attacks, improper downloads, or software glitches.

It has a user – friendly interface and provides detailed reports about the repair process, including information about what was recovered and what could not be fixed.

III. Try Manual Methods

Copy – Paste Method:

If the PDF file is only partially corrupted and you can open it (even if it shows errors), you can try to extract the content. Open the corrupted PDF and select the text and images you want to recover. Then copy and paste them into a new, blank PDF or a word – processing document.

For text, you can use the text – selection tool in the PDF viewer. For images, you may need to take a screenshot (if the image cannot be directly copied) and then insert the screenshot into the new document.

However, this method may not work well for PDFs with complex formatting such as forms, interactive elements, or encrypted content.

Rebuild from Source Files:

If you have the original source files that were used to create the PDF (such as a Word document, an Excel spreadsheet, or an image file collection), you can recreate the PDF.

For example, if the PDF was created from a Word document, open the Word document and make sure it is in the correct format. Then use a PDF – creation tool (either built – into the software like the “Save As PDF” option in Microsoft Word or a third – party PDF – creator like CutePDF Writer) to create a new, uncorrupted PDF.

IV. Check for Backup Copies

Local Backups:

Check your computer’s local backup systems. If you have enabled Windows Backup (in a Windows environment) or Time Machine (in a Mac environment), you may be able to restore a previous, uncorrupted version of the PDF.

Look in the backup folders or use the backup software’s restore function to search for the PDF file and restore it to its original location or a new location you specify.

Cloud Backups:

If you store your files in the cloud (such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive), these services often have version – history features. Log in to your cloud storage account, locate the PDF file, and check if there is a way to access and restore an earlier version of the file.

V. Prevention of PDF Corruption

Regular Backups:

The best way to deal with PDF corruption is to prevent it. Make it a habit to regularly back up your important PDF files. You can use external hard drives, cloud storage, or a combination of both.

Set up a backup schedule so that your files are automatically backed up at regular intervals. For example, you can use software like SyncBack (for Windows) or ChronoSync (for Mac) to automate the backup process.

Proper File Transfer:

When transferring PDF files, make sure to do it properly. Use reliable file – transfer methods such as secure FTP (SFTP) or direct downloads from trusted sources. Avoid interrupting file downloads oruploads, as this can lead to file corruption.

If you are downloading a PDF file from the internet, make sure your internet connection is stable. And if you are sharing PDF files via removable media like USB drives, make sure the media is not damaged and that you eject it properly from your computer to avoid data loss or file corruption.