How to Repair a PDF File using Acrobat? Adobe PDF Repair for 2024

PDF, short for Portable Document Format, was developed by Adobe Systems in 1990. One of the most commonly used PDF editors is Adobe Acrobat, which enables users to edit, convert, and encrypt PDF files on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

When serving users worldwide, issues with PDFs are inevitable, such as unable to open a PDF file or a corrupted PDF file. We'll guide you on how to fix a PDF file for free with Acrobat. Let's get started.

Error: The PDF file is corrupted and cannot be opened. What could be the cause?

"How can I open a corrupted PDF file for free? My PDF won't open in Adobe Acrobat. Is there any way to fix an unreadable PDF file?"

A PDF that won't open is a symptom of a damaged or corrupted file. What can cause such damage? Check the following list:

• Adobe Acrobat application corruption
• Interrupted transfer of the PDF file
• Corruption of the PDF file during editing
• Failed or incomplete download of the PDF file
• Improper shutdown of the application or system
• Sudden power outage
• Virus or malware infection

Can you open a corrupted PDF for free? How do I fix an unreadable PDF? Read on to learn how to repair a damaged PDF yourself with Adobe Acrobat.

How to create a PDF with Acrobat? Fix PDF for free with Adobe

Here, we've gathered all the official Adobe solutions, which you can try one by one for assistance:

1. Update Adobe Reader/Adobe Acrobat

• Start Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. • Choose Help > Check for Updates.

• Follow the steps in the Updater window to install the latest updates.

When it's done, open the PDF file to see if the issue has been resolved.

2. Download and install the Adobe PDF Editor - Acrobat

• Go to the Adobe Reader or Acrobat download page. • Look for the latest version or higher, then choose Install Now.

1. Install the new version on your computer as described in the installation instructions.
2. Open the PDF file with the new Adobe Acrobat and see if you can view its contents.

Search for Corrupted PDFs in Temp Files

1. Locate the temporary folder on your computer where the PDF file is saved. The default path is: C:\Users\%UserName%\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Acrobat\1X.0\AutoSave\ (replace '1X.0' with the specific version number you have). 2. Find the temporary PDF file. 3. Launch Adobe Acrobat on your computer and open the original PDF file. 4. Once you can see its content, save the PDF as a new document.

Additional tips for repairing corrupt/damaged PDF files:  

If none of the above methods work, it means that the problem isn't with Adobe Acrobat. Follow the fixes in this section to learn how to repair a damaged PDF on your own.

#1. Download the Adobe PDF Repair Tool

Here, the recommended way to fix Adobe PDF files is by using the Adobe PDF Repair Tool. Alternatively, the Fixo Document Repair Tool, with its file repair capability, can easily mend corrupted or inaccessible PDF files during the recovery process.

Watch this video before using Acrobat to repair a PDF file. It provides more details about PDF recovery.

• 00:14 - Method 1: Insert into a New Word Document
• 00:38 - Method 2: Use "Open and Repair"
• 00:55 - Method 3: Default Settings
• 01:30 - Method 4: Utilize Fixo Document Repair Tool

Step 1: Download and launch Fixo on your computer or laptop. Select "File Repair" to fix corrupted Office documents, including Word, Excel, PDFs, and others. Click "Add File" to select the damaged document.

Step 2: Click on “Repair All” to fix multiple files at once. If you want to repair a single document, hover over the target file and select “Repair.” You can also preview the document by clicking on the eye icon.

Step 3. Click “Save” to save the selected documents. Choose “Save All” to save all repaired files. Select “View Repaired” to locate the folder with the repaired files.

#2. Try another PDF reader

In most cases, a PDF document not opening can be attributed to issues with the PDF reader. Try using a different PDF reader and reopen the PDF file to see if the problem is resolved.

Here, you can try using tools like PDF Editor, Adobe PDF Reader, or Adobe Acrobat.

#3. Convert PDF files

Sometimes, converting a PDF to another format (such as DOC, DOCX, an image, or plain text) can resolve issues where a PDF won't open. You can use a PDF converter, or directly convert the PDF to a new document file with Adobe Acrobat.

Protect your Adobe PDF files now

On this page, we explain the underlying causes of the PDF won't open error and provide various solutions to help you effectively fix your PDF file.

When encountering this error, we recommend first attempting to open and repair the PDF file using an updated or new version of Adobe Acrobat. If that doesn't work, seek assistance from a reliable PDF repair tool. Occasionally, converting the file to another format might also prove effective.

Given the importance of PDF files, it's crucial to take steps to protect your PDF documents now. Here are some suggestions you can try:

• Regularly back up your PDF files.
• Keep your PDF editor or reader up to date.
• Ensure complete downloading and transmission of PDFs.
• Run antivirus tools or software regularly.