PDF Conversion Issues

Fix a Converted PDF with Missing Graphics and Garbled Text

Elise Williams Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to fix a converted PDF that displays missing graphics, garbled text, or content that cannot be edited.

Fix a Converted PDF with Missing Graphics and Garbled Text

Product: PDF
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening or trying to edit a recently converted PDF document that did not export correctly.
Observed behavior: The PDF opens with missing graphics, scrambled text, and uneditable content due to conversion errors or unsupported software.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to the original source file (such as the Word document or PowerPoint presentation) before attempting to fix the converted PDF, as reconverting is usually the most effective solution.

Solution 1Recommended

Reconvert the Source File with Proper Settings

The most reliable way to fix scrambled text and missing images is to convert the original document again using robust export settings.

Often, PDF conversion errors occur because the original fonts were not embedded, or image layers were flattened incorrectly. Reconverting from the original application ensures all graphical assets and fonts are preserved.

Open the original file

Launch the application where the file was originally created (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, or WPS Writer) and open the source document.

Access export options

Navigate to the 'File' menu and select the 'Export to PDF' or 'Save As' option.

Configure conversion settings

Before saving, open the PDF export 'Options' or 'Settings' menu. Ensure that the options to 'Embed fonts in the file' and include background graphics are checked.

Export and verify

Save the new PDF and open it in a reliable PDF reader to ensure the text and graphics now render correctly.

Reconvert the Source File with Proper Settings

Pro Tip: Embedding fonts ensures that your text renders perfectly on any device, completely preventing garbled or missing characters.

Solution 2

Apply OCR to Scanned or Image-Based PDFs

If your PDF was created from scanned images, the text might appear garbled or uneditable until you run Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

Professional PDF Tools

Effortlessly Convert and Fix PDFs with WPS Office

WPS Office provides robust PDF conversion and editing tools, including advanced OCR technology, to ensure your documents retain their original formatting, graphics, and text accuracy without garbled characters.

1. Open WPS Office: Launch WPS Office on your computer and navigate to the 'PDF' tab.
2. Open the source file: Open the original Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file you wish to convert.
3. Export to PDF: Click 'Export to PDF' from the top toolbar, ensuring all graphics and fonts are set to export correctly.
4. Use OCR for scanned files: If you are working with a scanned PDF, open it in WPS PDF and click the 'OCR' button to recognize text accurately.

High-quality PDF conversion with zero format lossBuilt-in OCR technology to extract text from scanned imagesFully compatible with Adobe Acrobat PDF and Microsoft Office formatsLightweight, fast, and easy to use across multiple platforms

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my converted PDF have garbled text?

Garbled text usually occurs when the fonts used in the original document are not embedded in the PDF during the conversion process, or if the PDF viewer you are using does not support the document's text encoding.

Can I fix missing graphics directly in the PDF without the original file?

Fixing missing graphics directly in a poorly converted PDF can be difficult. While advanced PDF editors allow you to manually insert missing images, it is generally much faster and more accurate to obtain the original source file and reconvert it.

Does OCR fix scrambled characters in text-based PDFs?

OCR is primarily designed for scanned or image-based PDFs. If a standard text-based PDF has garbled characters due to a font encoding error, OCR might not work correctly. Reconverting the source file with embedded fonts is the most effective fix.

PDF Troubleshooting