Why is My PDF File Size Too Large? Complete Guide

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: June 27th, 2023 • 6 Min Read

Are you tired of dealing with the frustration of the PDF file size too large issue? If you’re also one of them, who is nodding the head in agreement, you’re not alone. PDFs have become an integral part of our daily lives, but when they become too hefty, they can really slow us down.

Well, fear not! In this guide, we’re going to explore multiple solutions that can help you solve PDF file size too big errors. And guess what? We’ll even reveal the best one among them to make your work easier and faster. So, let’s dive in!

But before we jump into the solutions, let’s take a moment to understand why is your PDF file size too large. It’s important to grasp the root causes, so keep reading!

What Are The Reasons For Large PDF Files?

Large PDF files can be caused by factors such as embedded high-resolution images, extensive use of fonts, complex formatting, multiple layers, excessive metadata, or the inclusion of multimedia elements. These elements contribute to increasing the size, making the PDF size too big and potentially harder to manage and share.

Read a user query that we received a few days back to resolve the PDF file size is too big an issue to get more clarity on the reasons.

“Hello there, I am an Assistant Manager in an education department and I have to manage all the PDF files of all ex-students. Now those pdf files are too large to maintain and are taking a lot storage space. I have to compress all the PDF files, so that I can easily organize them. I am looking for a solution that can easily resolve my issues in bulk. Could anyone suggest me the right way to do it.”

Manual Ways To Solve PDF File Size Too Large Error

First, Let’s explore a few manual methods to decrease the large PDF size. Here we are going to use Adobe Acrobat and Word to accomplish this task. All the methods are mentioned below in detail check them out:

Method 1: Avoid Scanning PDFs Whenever Possible

Scanned files are well-known for their larger file sizes compared to electronically converted ones. So, unless you’re dealing with paper-only documents, you can easily convert other files into PDFs without scanning them.

Method 2: Solve PDF File Size Too Large Error with Adobe Acrobat

If your file is still too large even after creating it electronically, don’t worry! You can try saving it as a reduced-size PDF. Adobe Acrobat comes to the rescue with its built-in feature that lets you shrink PDF files. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Step 1: Select the version compatibility you need. By default, it retains the existing settings of the file.
  • Step 2: Click the “OK” button, then navigate to the File tab.

    Install the software

  • Step 3: Choose “Reduce File Size” and select the path where you want to save the file.

    PDF file size too large

Note: Keep in mind that this method may reduce the image quality and remove digital signatures. And also, the price of Adobe Acrobat is not pocket friendly for all.

Method 3: Decrease the PDF File Size using Word

In some versions of MS Word, you can convert a document to PDF using the “Save As” option. However, if you find that your Word-converted PDF file size too large, fret not! There’s an option in Word that can significantly shrink the file size. Here are the following steps:

  • Step 1: Open the PDF document in MS Word that you want to convert.
  • Step 2: Move to the File tab and give a click on the “Save As” option.
  • Step 3: In the “Save as Type” option, select PDF and enter the file name.
  • Step 4: At the bottom of the file destination, you’ll find a dialogue box labeled “Optimize for.” Choose the “Maximum Size (publishing online)” option.

Note: Please note that this option might not be available in newer versions of MS Word. If this is the case, don’t worry. You can always turn to an automated solution if your PDF file too large.

Effortless Approach: Easiest Way To Trim PDF Size

Introducing BitRecover PDF Buddy Wizard, your ultimate PDF companion! Just like a trusty buddy, this tool has been designed by IT professionals to solve all your PDF problems effortlessly. It’s the best PDF organizing software, allowing you to manage PDF files without even installing Adobe Acrobat.

This lightweight and feature-rich PDF organizer enables you to resize, compress, and extract fonts from PDFs without limitations while preserving the best possible quality. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to use! All it takes is one click to solve PDF file size too large.

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Step to Solve PDF File Size Too Large

Here’s how you can decrease large PDF size using this automated solution step-by-step:

  1. Install the software on your computer. Launch it and familiarize yourself with the instructions.

    Install the software

  2. Click on “Select File” or “Select Folder” to upload the PDF file(s) you want to compress. Then click “Next”.

    upload the PDF file(s)

  3. Check the required documents from the software panel, and hit the Next button.

    Check the required documents

  4. Browse and choose the destination path for your compressed PDF file.

    choose the destination

  5. Now, you’ll see various options to manage your PDF file. Click on the “Optimize,” “Compress,” or “Reduce PDF size” option.

    manage your PDF file

  6. Finally, hit the “Start” button and let the magic happen!

    PDF file size too large process

  7. You’ve successfully compressed your PDF file with just a few clicks.

    successfully compressed your PDF file

To Conclude

Dealing with PDF file size too large issue can be a real hassle, but it doesn’t have to be. By following the professional method, we discussed and leveraging the power of automated solutions, you can easily shrink those hefty PDFs and breeze through your work. You do not need to be frustrated by oversized files just follow the above-given steps to decrease large PDF size.