Why Did My PDF Conversion Fail? Common Errors & Solutions

If your PDF conversion failed, here are common causes and solutions.

Common Causes

1. Password Protected PDF

Symptom: Error "Password required" or "Encrypted PDF"

Solution:

1. Use the Decrypt PDF tool first
2. Enter the correct password
3. Download unlocked PDF
4. Then proceed with conversion

2. Corrupted File

Symptom: Error "Invalid PDF" or "Cannot read file"

Solution:

• Try opening the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or another reader
• If it doesn't open, file is corrupted
• Try re-downloading the original file
• Request a new copy from sender

3. File Too Large

Symptom: Error "File size exceeds limit"

Solution:

• Maximum file size: 200MB
• Use Compress PDF tool first
• Or use Split PDF to process in parts
• Then merge results with Merge PDF

4. Unsupported Format

Symptom: Error "Unsupported file format"

Solution:

• Check file extension (.pdf, .docx, etc.)
• Ensure file is not renamed from another format
• Use correct conversion tool for file type
• See Supported File Formats for full list

5. Network Timeout

Symptom: Upload or download freezes

Solution:

• Check internet connection
• Refresh page and try again
• Try during off-peak hours
• Use smaller file if possible
• See How to Upload Files for upload tips

6. Browser Issues

Symptom: Page freezes or crashes

Solution:

• Clear browser cache and cookies
• Update browser to latest version
• Try different browser (Chrome recommended)
• Disable browser extensions temporarily

7. Server Busy

Symptom: Long processing time or timeout

Solution:

• Wait a few minutes and retry
• Try during off-peak hours
• If issues persist, contact support

Error Messages Explained

"PDF is password protected"

File has security restrictions. Use Decrypt PDF tool.

"Conversion timeout"

File too complex or server busy. Try smaller file or retry later.

"Invalid PDF structure"

PDF is corrupted or malformed. Try repairing with Adobe Acrobat.

"Unsupported PDF version"

Very old or very new PDF format. Try re-saving in compatible version.

"Memory limit exceeded"

File too large or complex. Compress or split first.

Still Having Issues?

If none of these solutions work:

1. Take a screenshot of the error
2. Note the file size and type
3. Contact support with details
4. We'll investigate and help resolve

Contact Support