We Can't Open This File Something Went Wrong: Solutions for File Restoration

Imagine opening a file in Edge and seeing the terrible message. It says, “We can’t open this file because something has gone wrong.” It can be very frustrating. Whether it’s an urgent PDF or a Word file for a college presentation, your workflow will be brought to a standstill. That’s why you would like to know how to resolve the “We can’t open this file something went wrong” error.

Are you tired of seeing this error again and again? Read this blog to learn how to troubleshoot it. You will learn how to repair corrupted PDF and Word files with Repairit and other tools.

We’ll share tips to prevent file corruption and answer common questions about file repair.

Part 1. We Can’t Open This File Something Went Wrong Error

Human beings generate 2.5 quintillion bytes of data daily. Sometimes, this data gets corrupted, and you can’t access it. You often try to open a file on Edge. But a dialog box appears saying that something went wrong with the file. This error is a prevalent headache for users.

It can occur with files from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPEG, and other formats as well. It simply means that Edge or Adobe can’t process the document. But what causes this error in the first place?

• File Corruption: The file becomes damaged when your internet connection drops out while the document is being transferred. This interrupts the transfer process. It’s one of the key causes for the “We can’t open this file something went wrong PDF” error message popping up.
• Software Issues: If your software is incompatible with the file's format, you'll see this message. The file viewer must support the format and version of your PDFs. Using a very outdated tool or a rare file type can lead to this problem. For instance, you may get this error if the file viewer doesn't support EPUBs.
• OS Issues: Outdated or buggy software can mess with your files. Windows or macOS glitches may block access to your files. It usually happens after software updates.
• Incomplete Downloads: When your file hasn’t fully downloaded, you can’t open it. This is pretty common with larger files. Imagine downloading an eBook from archive.org that is 200 megabytes in size. It may refuse to open on Edge.
• Permission Issues: If your file is in a folder where you don’t have the correct permissions, you can’t open it. Also, another user may have locked it.
• Cache Corruption: After a system crash, a corrupt version of the files may be stored locally, causing the error to repeat.

Part 2. File Types That Get Corrupted

While the “We can't open this file something went wrong PDF” error is frequently reported with PDFs, it can also impact other files, such as:

Part 3. Troubleshooting Steps Before File Repair

1. Restart Your Device

   A simple restart can clear temporary glitches in your system or application. This is also often the quickest way to resolve unexpected errors.

2. Try a Different PDF Reader or Application

   If Adobe Reader doesn’t work, try opening the PDF in another program, such as Edge, Google Chrome, or Foxit Reader. Sometimes, the issue is specific to one application.

3. Update Your PDF Reader or Application

   Outdated software can cause compatibility issues. So, make sure your PDF reader or file viewer is up to date. Updates often include bug fixes that resolve common errors.

4. Check for Operating System Updates

   Updating your OS ensures you have the latest security patches and bug fixes. This can resolve issues caused by system incompatibilities.

5. Download the File Again

   The file may not have downloaded correctly. You should delete it and try downloading it again from the source. Use a stable internet connection to avoid incomplete downloads.

6. Check Permissions and User Accounts

   If the file is stored on the cloud or a shared drive, ensure you have the necessary permissions to access it. Try logging in with the correct account or switching to a different user profile.

7. Clear Temporary Files or Cache

   Sometimes, clearing your application’s cache or temporary files can resolve persistent errors. It primarily works after a system crash.

Part 4. Restoring Damaged Files with Repairit

If the basic steps above don’t fix the issue, your file may be corrupted. This is especially true if you keep seeing the "We can't open this file something went wrong PDF" error after trying different readers and re-downloading the file.

In such cases, you need a dedicated repair solution. Repairit is a professional tool designed to repair corrupted files of various types, such as PDFs, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

It uses advanced algorithms to scan and fix damaged files, restoring them to a usable state. Whether your file is corrupted due to a bad download, system crash, or software incompatibility, Repairit can help. There are no limits on the number of documents or the size of a file you can repair. Check out some of the key features of Repairit:

Wondershare Repairit - File Repair

Try It Free Try It Free

1,010,994 people have downloaded it.

• Supports Multiple File Formats: Repair PDFs, Word docs, Excel sheets, PowerPoint presentations, ZIP files, and Adobe design files.

• Simple, Intuitive Interface: Easy for anyone to use, no technical skills required.

• Advanced Repair Technology: Effectively recovers content, formatting, and structure, even from severely damaged files.

• Batch Repair: Fix multiple files at once, saving users time with many corrupted documents.

• Preview Before Saving: See the repaired file before saving, to ensure the repair was successful.

Simple Steps to Repair Your Files With Repairit

Step 1. Open Repair. Now, click “+Add” to select the file you want to restore. Add as many files as you wish. You can also include documents affected by the “We can’t open this file something went wrong PDF” error message.

Step 2. Click the “Repair” button to begin the process. Let the tool scan these files and automatically fix them.

Step 3. Once the repair is complete, preview the file to check the results. If everything looks good, save the repaired file to your computer.

Note: Repairit is available for both Windows and Mac, making it accessible for all users. Its user-friendly interface ensures that even beginners can repair files without hassle.

Part 5. Tips to Prevent Future File Corruption

Many users find that Word documents stored in OneDrive often open only on a PC. Users can’t open them on iOS devices. Also, renaming the files fixes the issue for now. However, the file error remains after restarting the app. That’s why you should always rely on tools like Repairit.

When basic troubleshooting fails, you must fall back on a reliable solution. That’s how you can keep your basic data safe. Prevention is always better than a cure, they like to say.

Here’s how you can avoid seeing the “We can’t open this file something went wrong PDF” error message again. This error message can become a significant headache. But you need to know how to fix this error message. It all boils down to using quality software solutions. Always make sure that your files don’t have a virus or malware. Moreover, consider these safety checks:

1. Ensure a Stable Internet Connection

   Avoid downloading or transferring files over unstable networks. Interrupted downloads are a leading cause of file corruption.

2. Use Reliable File Transfer Methods

   Stick to trusted platforms for sending and receiving files. Avoid interrupting transfers and always use the “safely remove” option for external drives.

3. Regularly Back Up Important Files

   Keep copies of your critical documents in multiple locations, such as an external hard drive or a secure cloud service. Regular backups protect you from unexpected data loss.

4. Avoid Sudden Shutdowns

   Don’t turn off your computer or remove storage devices while files are open. Sudden shutdowns can cause files to become corrupted or incomplete.

5. Check Storage Devices for Errors

   Regularly scan your hard drives and USB sticks for errors. Faulty hardware is another common cause of file corruption.

Conclusion

We know that losing access to PDF files is very stressful. It often says: “We can’t open this file something went wrong.” It becomes a problem when you urgently need a file. Mostly, it takes place when the file is corrupted. Incomplete downloads and software incompatibility can also lead to this error message. So, you should look into basic troubleshooting solutions.

The solution is to restart your device and update your software. Try another file viewer (Foxit, for instance) if Edge doesn’t work. If you continue to see the error, even after these steps, it’s time to use a dedicated repair tool. We recommend using Repairit for resolution. Don’t let a corrupted file disrupt your work or cause data loss; it’s time to repair your docs!