Repair PDF
Upload Broken PDF
Recover data from corrupted files
We attempt to reconstruct the PDF's internal cross-reference table and extract valid page objects into a clean new container. Extremely damaged files (e.g. truncated data) may not be fully recoverable.
Is your PDF refusing to open? Our Free PDF Repair Tool analyzes corrupted document structures and attempts to salvage the readable content, creating a fresh, working copy.
Why do PDFs break?
PDFs are complex containers of text, images, and fonts. If a single byte in the "header" or "cross-reference table" is misplaced (due to a download error or disk fault), the entire file becomes unreadable. Repair tools bypass these structural errors to reach the actual data.
Our Recovery Method
We use a "re-saving" technique. We load the raw PDF data and attempt to parse it leniently, ignoring minor syntax errors. Then, we write all valid objects into a brand new, standards-compliant PDF file structure, effectively leaving the corruption behind.
How to Fix a PDF
- Upload: Select the file that is giving you error messages.
- Scan: The browser will attempt to read the file structure.
- Rebuild: If successful, a new version is generated instantly.
- Save: Download the repaired file to your computer.
Capabilities
- Header Fixes: repairs invalid PDF header markers.
- XRef Recovery: rebuilds broken cross-reference tables.
- Metadata Clean: often fixes issues by stripping corrupted metadata.
Limitations
- Input: Corrupted PDF.
- Severity: Can fix structural errors, but cannot recover missing data (e.g. if the file is 0 bytes or half-downloaded).
- Privacy: 100% Client-Side.
Common Scenarios
- Transfer Errors: Files corrupted during email attachment or USB transfer.
- Legacy Files: Old PDFs that don't open in modern viewers.
- Creation Errors: Files saved incorrectly by buggy software.
Secure Recovery
Recovery is risky if you have to upload sensitive data to a stranger's server. With PDFPlug, the repair process happens entirely on your device. Your corrupt business reports or financial statements never leave your computer.
Completely Free
There is no charge to recover your files. Use it as many times as you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the file size different?
The repair process often removes garbage data or recompresses streams, resulting in a cleaner, smaller file.
Can it fix password-protected files?
Only if you know the password. If the password encryption header itself is corrupt, recovery is usually impossible.
Related Tools
File restored? Compress PDF to optimize it further, Protect PDF to secure it properly, or PDF Reader to view it in the browser.
Quick Summary
PDFPlug Repair attempts to reconstruct broken PDFs so you can access your data again.
Last updated: January 2026