Repair PDF online

What Repair PDF does

Repair PDF asks qpdf to reconstruct cross-reference information and rewrite the document structure. It does not invent missing page data.

Repair PDF runs as a queued server job after the source upload completes. The generated artifact receives a separate download link, so the original device file remains unchanged.

How to use this tool

Prepare the source
Keep the damaged source and try opening it in a second maintained viewer before repair. This preparation matters specifically before using Repair PDF.
Upload and inspect
Select one PDF that can be uploaded and parsed by qpdf, wait for the Repair PDF upload to finish, and confirm that the displayed source is the intended file.
Choose the available options
Set only the Repair PDF controls needed for this output and review required fields before starting the job.
Download and verify
Open every repaired page, confirm the last page exists, and compare important content with another trustworthy copy. Keep the source until the Repair PDF result has passed that review.

Common use cases

Prepare a delivery copy

Use Repair PDF to create a separate copy for a recipient without overwriting the maintained source.

Correct one document workflow

Apply Repair PDF to a known document problem after confirming the operation matches the intended outcome.

Create a review candidate

Generate a Repair PDF result that can be checked before it enters a records, publishing, or sharing process.

Supported inputs

one PDF that can be uploaded and parsed by qpdf
One Repair PDF job at a time through the current public workspace

Output

One rebuilt, linearized PDF when qpdf can recover the source structure.

Limitations to know

Severely truncated, encrypted, or corrupted files may be unrecoverable and can still fail after structural rewriting.
Repair PDF cannot reconstruct source information that is absent, damaged, or inaccessible in the uploaded document.
Viewer, font, image, form, signature, and accessibility behavior can change after Repair PDF; compare important output with the source.
No Repair PDF result should be treated as legal, archival, accessibility, or compliance certification without the required independent review.

Privacy and document handling

Repair PDF uploads the selected source to configured object storage so the worker can process it.
The worker attempts to remove temporary Repair PDF workspace files after the job, which is separate from stored input and output retention.
Avoid using Repair PDF with confidential material unless the published storage and retention information is suitable for the document.

Stored input and output objects are deleted automatically: files uploaded without an account are removed about 24 hours after upload, and files belonging to a signed-in account are removed after 7 days. A scheduled sweep enforces this hourly against the object store itself. Workers attempt to remove per-job temporary directories after processing. This does not delete stored input or output objects.

Read the Privacy Policy and Security page for verified implementation details and open questions.

Troubleshooting

Repair PDF cannot start

Confirm the expected one PDF that can be uploaded and parsed by qpdf finished uploading and every required Repair PDF option contains a valid value.

Repair PDF reports a processing error

Open the source locally, remove unsupported encryption where authorized, and retry Repair PDF with a smaller valid file.

Repair PDF output is not suitable

Open every repaired page, confirm the last page exists, and compare important content with another trustworthy copy. If it still differs, retain the source and use a workflow designed for that document feature.

Still stuck? Review Help and common questions or contact support.

Frequently asked questions

Does Repair PDF replace my original file?

No. Repair PDF creates a separate stored output and does not edit the source on your device.

Is every Repair PDF result guaranteed to look identical?

No. Repair PDF depends on the source structure and processing engine, so important pages and features must be checked.

Should I delete my source after Repair PDF?

No. Keep the source until the Repair PDF output has been opened, compared, and accepted for its intended use.

How should I check my Repair PDF result?

Open every Repair PDF download and compare it with the unchanged source before sharing or deleting anything. Pay particular attention to this documented limitation: Severely truncated, encrypted, or corrupted files may be unrecoverable and can still fail after structural rewriting.