How to fix “format Error: not a PDF or corrupted”?

Question

Two days back, I have received an email with PDF file attachment. When I tried to open PDF file, it shows an error message which says: "format error: not a PDF or corrupted" I was surprised to see such error message and thought hope it was not a virus file as attached PDF. Immediately I have called to my friend who is expert in handling PDF file error matters. My friend suggested me it may not be virus file. It could be possible that PDF file got corrupted so he suggested me to open PDF file in foxit PDF reader which is an alternative of adobe reader then I install the foxit pdf reader, & try to open "corrupt" pdf files. When I tried to open it in foxit reader, again it shows same error message.

Answer 1

Most probably reason the file is got corrupt due to virus. For this I would like to suggest you a third party tool which will help you to recover your corrupted PDF file data and it will export into a fresh PDF file. Tool Name: Recovery Toolbox for PDF http://www.pdf.recoverytoolbox.com/

Answer 2

Were you expecting this attachment from someone you know??

It's very important because tainted PDF files are often sent that carry malicious code...giving the recipient a virus or other trash.

One potential problem is Windows 'hides 'known file types' (thru Win7; maybe Win8??), so what you're seeing as an extension of ".pdf" is in reality ".pdf.exe" (the '.exe' being hidden).

This might contribute to the perplexing behavior you are getting.



If you did not expect this attachment, I would just delete it...just to make sure.

Answer 3

The file is corrupt and there's almost zero chance of ever reading what was in it. The only option left to you is to go back the person who sent the original email and ask them to product a non-corrupted version of the file to send to you.

Answer 4

Chances are , the PDF is corrupt, it either become corrupted doing its creation or during the emailing process, either way you'll probably end up requesting the person create and send you another copy.

Answer 5

I had a similar problem: mine was sorted by downloading the latest version of Adobe. As a stopgap I used an online PDF reader program which could read the latest Adobe. Dunno about Foxit.