What's wrong with your PDF?
Pick your problem. We'll fix it in seconds — free, private, right in your browser.
PDFJolt diagnoses and fixes common PDF problems instantly. Whether your PDF won't upload, is too large, locked, or not searchable, select your issue below to fix it in seconds — completely free, with no file uploads to any server.
Won't upload
Rejected by a portal, form, or website
Text not selectable
Can't highlight, copy, or search text
File too large
Over the size limit for email or upload
Locked / password protected
Can't edit, print, or copy from the PDF
Scanned / image only
It's a photo or scan with no real text
Need to sign it
Add your signature without printing
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Common PDF Problems & How to Fix Them
PDFs are the universal document format — until something goes wrong. Whether you're submitting a job application, filing a government form, or emailing a contract, PDF problems can stop you cold. PDFJolt fixes the most common issues instantly, right in your browser.
PDF Won't Upload
The most frustrating PDF problem. You have the right document, but the portal rejects it. This usually happens because the file is too large (most portals cap at 5-10MB), the PDF lacks a text layer (common with scanned documents), or the PDF uses an incompatible format version. Our PDF upload fix guide walks you through all three solutions.
PDF Too Large
Email attachments typically cap at 25MB, and many portals set limits as low as 2MB. Our PDF compression tool can reduce file sizes by up to 90% while preserving visual quality. The compression runs entirely in your browser — your document is never uploaded anywhere.
Scanned PDF / No Selectable Text
If your PDF is a scan or photo, it has no real text — just an image. This means you can't search, copy, or select text, and many portals reject it. Our OCR tool uses Tesseract.js WebAssembly to add a searchable text layer directly in your browser.
Locked or Password-Protected PDF
Some PDFs have restrictions that prevent editing, printing, or copying — even if you know the password. Our PDF unlock tool removes these restrictions so you can work with your document freely.
Last updated: February 2026