[Fixed] How to Recover Corrupted PDF File on Windows

User Question

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a widely used file format, commonly seen in e-books, contracts, or other formal documents. Since its fixed layout and cross-device compatibility, PDF has become one of the most popular formats among users. However, it’s not uncommon to encounter PDF corruption while using it, making us feel frustrated and stressed.

What causes PDF corruption?

Have you ever encountered a situation where your PDF files become corrupted? Do you know why it happens? Actually, PDF corruption can arise from various reasons. Here are some common reasons:

► Improper operations during the saving process

► Damage to the storage devices where your PDFs are saved

► Software glitches that cause your PDF file to be corrupted

► A system failure while downloading, creating, or saving PDF

► Using an incompatible reader to open the PDF file

Is it possible to recover corrupted PDF files?

Sometimes, PDF files may fail to display on account of incompatibility with certain file readers. When your PDF cannot be opened, first attempt to use another reader to open it again. If not, your file might have been corrupted due to some reasons. Fortunately, there’s no need to panic because some reliable tools and methods allow you to recover the PDF files that are damaged.

How to recover corrupted PDF file?

Wondering how to recover PDF corrupted files? In this section, you will learn four effective ways to recover the PDF files that are damaged. You can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Repair Corrupted PDF Files in Adobe Acrobat

When your PDF file is corrupted, you can try to repair it using Adobe Acrobat. Like other software, your PDF reader also needs regular updates to ensure it functions normally. The first thing you should do is update your Adobe Acrobat to the latest version. You are allowed to check whether you need to update it by clicking Help > Check for Updates on the top toolbar, and then follow the on-screen instructions to update it.

Additionally, you can also repair corrupted PDF files by using the Repair Installation option under Help in Acrobat. By selecting this option, you can reinstall the software on your computer and reset all the preferences. The corrupted PDF file might be repaired during the process. After repairing the installation, try opening the damaged PDF. If you cannot open it, move on to the next method.

Recover PDF Files via File History

Recovering damaged PDF files via backups is also an effective way if you have enabled any backup function in advance. File History, available in Windows 8 and later versions, is used to back up files regularly and offer recovery service when the files are deleted or corrupted by accident. It automatically saves multiple copies of your PDF file and provides you with a more flexible recovery option.

Here’s how to recover a corrupted PDF file via File History:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > File History in turn.

Step 2: Click Restore personal files.

Step 3: Choose the PDF file you want to recover, and then click the Recover button.

If there is only one version of your PDF file, you are not allowed to restore it to the older version. In this case, consider recovering your PDF file using other methods.

Recover PDF Files using Backup and Restore

In addition to File History, you can also recover damaged PDF files by using Backup and Restore. This feature allows users to create backups of the entire system or individual folders. Compared to the former one, Backup and Restore is more applicable to recovering data in more complex scenarios, such as system failure or hard disk corruption.

Here’s how to recover corrupted PDF files using Backup and Restore:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > Backup and Restore in turn.

Step 2: Click Restore my files.

Step 3: Click Browse for files to choose the PDF file you want to recover, and then click Next.

Step 4: Specify the saving path for your recovered file, and click Restore.

Convert PDF to Other File Formats

How to recover corrupted PDF files without any backups? If the first two methods don’t work, consider converting your PDF to other file formats, and then convert them back to PDF files again. Although it is a little tedious, you can get a There are various PDF converters available, such as Adobe Acrobat, iLovePDF, and Smallpdf. Simply drag your corrupted PDF files to these websites and specify the formats you want to convert.

An Easier Way to Recover Corrupted PDF

Recovering corrupted PDF files can be challenging since their structure might have been damaged, making the content hard to access anymore. Is there an easier method to recover corrupted PDF files?

AOMEI FastRecovery, a reliable data recovery tool, is designed to assist users in retrieving lost, deleted, or corrupted files on Windows PCs and Servers with ease. Whether the file loss is caused by system crashes, unexpected formatting, or virus attacks, AOMEI FastRecovery can handle it with ease.

Key features of AOMEI FastRecovery are as follows:
◆ Supports recovering multiple file formats from various storage devices, including PCs, USB drives, SD cards, and more.
◆ Handles diverse data loss scenarios, recovering your files quickly and efficiently.
◆ Features a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those with minimal experience.
◆ Provides file preview before recovery, ensuring accurate selection.
◆ Guarantees your data 100% safety throughout the recovery process with 14 years of development expertise.

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Windows PCs & Servers

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A step-by-step guide to recover a corrupted PDF file. 

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are located.

Step 2: Scan your disk to find the deleted files. 

It offers two modes, Quick Scan and Deep Scan:

• Quick Scan: Quickly searches for recently deleted files.
• Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your storage device for finding lost data from more complex loss situations.

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired PDF file and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the file and wait for the process to complete.

FAQs

Q1: How can I recover a corrupted PDF file using Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat doesn’t provide a direct tool to repair corrupted PDF files, but you can recover them by updating the software or repairing its installation. For details on this process, please refer to the instructions in the previous section.

Q2: Is it possible to recover corrupted PDF files from the Recycle Bin?

Deleted files can be found and recovered from the Recycle Bin. However, if the PDF file was already corrupted before deletion, recovering it from the Recycle Bin will not fix the corruption itself.

Q3: Can password-protected PDFs be recovered if they become corrupted?

Yes, password-protected PDFs can be recovered if they become corrupted, but the process is more complex due to encryption. It is recommended to use professional recovery tools or restore them from backups.

Final Words

PDF file corruption can occur for various reasons, leaving us unable to access our important content. This article has explored some common reasons that result in PDF file corruption. How to recover corrupted PDF files without data loss? You have learned about four practical solutions to get them back. If you are seeking an easier approach, consider using professional recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery, which can efficiently address and resolve file corruption issues.