Skip to content
All PDF tools

Repair PDF

Rebuild a damaged PDF that will not open properly.

About Repair PDF

Repair PDF rebuilds the internal structure of a damaged PDF so it opens again. It reads what can be read from the broken file, writes a fresh, valid PDF around it and saves that. The work happens on your device in the browser, so a file that may be sensitive is never uploaded.

  • Fix a PDF that shows an error
  • Recover a broken download
  • Open an old file

How to repair PDF

  1. Drop the PDF that will not open

    Up to 500 MB. A file that is cut short or partly downloaded is the usual case.

  2. Let it rebuild

    The page recovers the pages it can find and writes a new file.

  3. Save the repaired PDF

    Download the result and open it in any viewer.

Why your file never leaves your device

Most online tools upload your file to a server, work on it there, and keep a copy for a while. Thryve PDF does the work inside your browser instead, with code that runs on your own device, so there is no upload, no copy on a server and nothing to delete afterwards. Close the tab and the file is gone from memory. It also means the tools keep working on a slow connection once the page has loaded.

Questions, answered

Can every PDF be repaired?
No. If the page data itself is missing, no tool can bring it back. Repair recovers what is still in the file, which is usually most of it.
Will the repaired file look the same?
Pages that could be recovered look as they did. Pages that were lost are left out rather than shown blank.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The PDF is opened and processed inside your browser tab, on your own device, and the result is saved straight back to it. Thryve has no server that receives files.
Is it free?
Yes. This page gives 10 free exports every rolling 30 days, with no account. Thryve Pro, $9.99 once with no subscription, removes the limit on every Thryve PDF, Photo, Media and Invoice page.
Do I need to sign up?
No. Drop a file and start. An account is only needed to buy Thryve Pro, so the licence can follow you between devices.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, in Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox on Android and iPhone, as well as on Windows, Mac and Linux. Since the work happens on the device, a large file takes longer on a phone than on a laptop.
All Thryve PDF tools