Skip to content
SafhaSafha

Tool guides

Repair a corrupted or damaged PDF

We rebuild the file and recover whatever pages we can. Badly damaged files may not be recoverable.

Open the toolAll guides

Where is the file processed?

On our serverThis tool needs our server. Your file is sent over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted right after processing.

Steps

  1. Choose the damaged file: Tap “Select PDF file” or drag and drop it into the box.
  2. Start the repair: Tap “Repair PDF”. The file is sent to our server over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted right after processing.
  3. Check the result: Open the repaired file and check the pages. Depending on the damage, you may get the whole file back or only part of it.
  4. Download: Download the repaired copy, and keep the original until you are sure it is fine.

What it offers

  • Rebuilds the file

    We rebuild the file's internal index and broken parts that stop apps from opening it.

  • Recovers what it can

    If the whole file can't be saved, we try to recover its intact pages into a file that opens.

  • Encrypted and deleted

    The file is sent to our server over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted right after processing.

  • Works from your phone

    Repair files in Chrome or Safari on your phone without installing anything.

Limits

Because the file is sent to our server, there are limits on file size and number of runs, shown on the tool page. Signed-in members get higher limits for free.

Frequently asked questions

Why do PDFs get damaged?

Usually because of an incomplete download, a transfer cut off halfway, a USB drive removed before copying finished, or an app that saved the file incorrectly. Part of the file ends up missing or broken.

Can every damaged file be repaired?

No. Files that lost a small part of their structure can usually be fixed. If most of the content is missing or overwritten, we may recover only some pages or nothing at all. If you can, download the file again from its source, which is more reliable.

Is my file stored on your server?

No. It is sent to our server over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted right after processing.

A portal rejects my file as damaged. What can I do?

Repair it here and upload the repaired copy. If it is still rejected, the portal may need an archival format, so try PDF to PDF/A, or ask which format it accepts.

The file opens on my computer but not on my phone. Is it damaged?

Not necessarily. Some phone readers are less tolerant of small errors in a file. Repairing it rewrites the file cleanly, and it usually opens on every device afterwards.

Can repair open a file whose password I forgot?

No. Repair does not remove or bypass passwords. If you know the password, use Unlock PDF.

Related tools