Repair PDF
Fix a damaged PDF that won't open or opens with errors: Toolula rebuilds the cross-reference table, trailer and page tree, recovers cut-off files and tells you which pages came back. Runs entirely on your device.
About this tool
Repair PDF — Fix Damaged PDFs That Won't Open
Fix a damaged PDF that won't open or shows errors and see exactly which pages came back. Everything runs locally in your browser — no upload, no sign-up, no watermark and no file size limit.
Rebuilds What Readers Need
A broken cross-reference table, a wrong startxref, a missing trailer or wrong stream lengths are fixed by rewriting the file with a fresh structure; a broken page tree is rebuilt from the page objects still in the file.
Rescues Cut-Off Downloads
Files that end too early, such as an interrupted download or a mail attachment cut off in transit, keep every page that is complete, and a cut-off page keeps the content that can still be read.
Honest Report
The result lists what was wrong, how many pages were recovered and which pages could only be saved as images or stay blank, so you know what to check.
How to use it
- Drop the PDF that won't open or shows errors.
- Click Repair PDF. Toolula first rewrites the file cleanly, then rebuilds it from the objects it finds, and only as a last resort turns the pages that can still be shown into images.
- Read the report: what was fixed, how many pages were recovered and which pages need a look.
- Check the preview, then download the repaired PDF or open it in the next tool.
Frequently asked questions
Are my PDFs uploaded to a server?
No. Toolula processes the document inside your browser tab with pdf-lib and WebAssembly, so the file never leaves your device.
Which kinds of damage can it fix?
Broken or missing cross-reference tables, a wrong startxref offset, a missing trailer or end-of-file marker, wrong stream lengths, junk before the PDF header, truncated files and broken page trees. Pages whose content is gone can't be brought back; the report names them.
Why are some pages images after the repair?
When the file's structure is too damaged to rebuild, Toolula draws every page that can still be shown and saves those pictures as a new PDF. The text on them is no longer selectable; run OCR afterwards to make it searchable again.
Can it repair a password-protected PDF?
Not directly. Remove the password with Unlock PDF first; if Unlock can't open the file, the damage is in the encrypted part and can't be repaired without the original.
Does a repair break a digital signature?
Yes. Repairing rewrites the file, so an existing digital signature no longer validates. Sign the repaired file again if you need a valid signature.
Is it really free?
Yes. You can use every Toolula PDF tool for free, without an account. The free plan has fair-use limits; Toolula Pro, an optional plan, raises them and adds advanced features.