How to Fix PDF Save Error 117 After Adding a Signature in Adobe Reader
Question details
The user is unable to save a PDF document after applying a signature due to an Error 117 prompt.
- Product
- Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to save a document immediately after placing a digital or drawn signature.
- Observed behavior
- The application displays Error 117 along with a message indicating a non-hex character in a hex string, preventing the signed file from being saved.
Ensure you have a backup copy of the original, unsigned PDF file before attempting to repair or alter it, as the current file's internal structure may be corrupted.
Test with a Different PDF to Identify File Corruption
Determine if the issue is a software glitch or specific to the document by signing a known-working PDF file.
Error 117 and the non-hex character warning typically point to file-level corruption rather than a software bug. By testing another file, you can confirm whether the original document needs to be repaired, recreated, or re-downloaded.
Launch your PDF reader and open a completely different, known-working PDF file that you do not mind altering.
Navigate to the signature or Fill & Sign tool and place your signature anywhere on the test document.
Go to File > Save or press Ctrl+S to save the changes to your test document.
If the test file saves successfully without Error 117, your original PDF is damaged. You will need to obtain a clean copy, recreate the document from its source (such as Microsoft Word), or use a PDF repair tool before attempting to sign it again.
Sign and Save PDFs Without Errors Using WPS Office
If your current PDF reader frequently encounters saving errors or corruption issues, try WPS Office. It features a robust built-in PDF editor that allows you to easily add, manage, and save signatures reliably.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your unsigned PDF document using the WPS PDF tool.
- 2. Access the signature tool: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Sign' to create a new signature or select an existing one.
- 3. Place your signature: Click the desired location on your document to place the signature, then drag the corners to resize it as needed.
- 4. Save your document: Click the 'Save' icon in the top left corner or press Ctrl+S. WPS Office will process the signature and safely save the file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'non-hex character in a hex string' mean in a PDF?
This error means the PDF's internal code contains invalid characters where hexadecimal values (0-9, A-F) are expected. It is a strong indicator that the file's data has been corrupted, modified incorrectly, or generated by a faulty PDF creator.
Can I repair the corrupted PDF that is causing Error 117?
Recovery depends on the extent of the corruption. You can try opening the PDF in a web browser like Chrome and using the 'Print to PDF' function to generate a fresh, flattened version of the document, which often resolves underlying structural errors.
Why does this error only happen when I try to add a signature?
Adding a digital signature forces the software to rewrite the document's internal structure to apply cryptographic security. If the base file already has hidden structural errors or corruption, the complex saving and securing process will fail, triggering Error 117.
