[2025 Guide] How to Repair Corrupted PDF Files without Losing Formatting

Corrupted PDF files can cost you essential data, especially in professional settings. Instead of starting from scratch, repairing them is key. With online and offline tools, you can restore access in just a few clicks. This article explores common causes of a corrupted PDF file and how to fix them without losing formatting.

Part 1. What are the Causes and Symptoms of Corrupted PDF Files? 

Corrupted PDF files can be fixed easily if you know the cause of the damage. The following causes are the potential reasons why your file is damaged and how your file would present in each case:

1. File System Issues: Improper system shutdowns can corrupt PDFs, leading to “access denied” or “file not found” errors. 
2. Improper Conversions: Unreliable tools can damage files during format conversion to PDF.
3. Network Issues: Interrupted file transfers over poor internet connections may result in incomplete or corrupted PDFs.
4. Editing with Unreliable Tools: Using buggy third-party editors can break formatting or prevent embedded media from playing.

Part 2. Utilizing Repairit – A Trusted PDF Repair Tool to Restore Damaged PDF Files

If you are looking for an extensive solution to repair damaged PDF files without compromising on the quality, try using Repairit File Repair. The tool offers extensive functionalities to repair damaged files with a simple interface. Users get the ability to import multiple files simultaneously to accelerate the repair process. Moreover, it allows you to review file before saving it.

With Repairit, you can repair not just spreadsheets but other documents too without losing format. Recover files individually or all at once with a single click.

Coherent Features Offered by Repairit

1. Advanced Mode: The advanced repair mode offers a deeper scan and recovery process for severely damaged PDFs. It’s ideal when standard repair methods fail to retrieve content.
2. Fix Formatting Errors: Repairit not only restores access to PDF files but also corrects formatting issues. This includes misaligned text, broken layouts, or missing elements within the file.
3. Supports Multiple Versions of PDF: The tool is compatible with various PDF versions, such as 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6, ensuring broad support for documents.
4. Multimedia Repair: Apart from PDF repair, users can import corrupted images and videos.

Steps For Repairing a PDF File With Repairit

Having learned about this PDF repair tool in detail, let us have a look at the steps for repairing files using this tool:

Step 1. Access the File Repair Feature and Press Add to Insert PDF File

To begin, launch the tool on your device and access the “File Repair” function from the homepage. Next, press the “Add” button located within the interface to import your corrupted PDF file.

Step 2. Click the Repair Button to Initiate the Process

Once all the files are imported within the interface under the "Unrepaired Files" section, hit the "Repair" button to execute the process. 

Step 3. Save the Repaired Files 

Press the “Save” button to export the results to your device or review the repaired document using the “Preview” button. 

Part 3. Exploring 3 Alternative Methods to Repair Damaged PDF Files

Although Repairit is an effective file repair tool, let’s explore the following alternative methods to get this job done:

Solution 1. Employ the Restore Previous Version Feature

One way to repair a damaged PDF is by using the built-in Windows restore previous version feature, which lets you access an earlier version of the file. Here’s how to use it: 

Step 1. Begin by searching for the corrupted file on your computer, right-click and open its “Properties” from the options list.

Step 2. From the new window, enter the “Previous Versions” section and select the “Restore” button to get the previous file back.

Solution 2. Use an Online PDF Repair Tool

If Windows' built-in repair fails, try an online PDF repair tool like iLovePDF. This versatile platform helps fix corrupted PDF files and supports uploads from your device, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Follow the steps below to use it.

Step 1. First, open iLovePDF on the web and click the "Select PDF File" button to upload the damaged file.

Step 2. Once your file is uploaded, press the “Repair PDF” button from the right panel to download the repaired file.

Solution 3. Convert PDF to Another Format

Another way to fix corrupted PDF files is by converting them to another format. Tools like Smallpdf support various file types and make the process simple. Follow the steps below to get started.

Step 1. To begin, access the online tool on your web browser and press the “Choose Files” button to upload your PDF. 

Step 2. Once the file is uploaded, select the format options from the right side by tapping them.  

Step 3. After the successful conversion, locate the “Download” button to save the file successfully. 

Part 4. 4 Tips to Ensure Document Integrity to Avoid Corrupted PDF Files

To minimize the risk of file corruption and to ensure your file remains accessible, follow the tips mentioned below to prevent a corrupted PDF file: 

1. Use Reliable PDF Tools: To keep the file safe from getting damaged, use a reliable PDF creator and editor.
2. Close and Save Files Safely: It’s important to verify that your files are completely sent before powering down your computer to maintain PDF integrity.
3. Prevent Power Interruptions: When transferring files online, having a stable internet connection is essential to ensure they’re shared without issues.
4. Transfer Files Carefully: While sending the PDFs to an external storage device, make sure to carefully remove them after a successful file transfer.

Conclusion

To conclude, this article covered effective ways to fix corrupted PDF files. It also recommended Repairit as a reliable tool that restores files in high quality while preserving the original format through advanced repair technology.