How to Fix & Repair Corrupted RAR File?

Mark Regan
Published: September 24th, 2025 • 7 Min Read

This article shows how to repair corrupted RAR file step-by-step using multiple methods. A RAR file is one of the most common formats used to compress large files into smaller, easy-to-share packages. When you try to open a RAR file and it becomes damaged, what will you do? Are you one of the many users who have experienced an RAR file corruption error and are looking for how to repair broken RAR files?

This detailed instruction manual will help you to repair corrupted RAR files using built-in options, corrupted RAR file repair online, or using corrupted RAR file repair software. You can follow all of the methods here on how to repair broken RAR files or perform broken RAR file repair on your Windows PC.

Why Are RAR Files Got Damaged?

Before proceeding to repair corrupted RAR file, it is beneficial to understand why it became corrupt in the first place. Understanding the cause will help to understand how to avoid similar issues in the future. Below are the reasons RAR files become corrupt or unreadable:

Incomplete Download: If your WiFi, internet cable, or cellular connection drops while downloading anything, including RAR files, it will create a broken RAR file that will not open and require you to repair broken RAR files.
Virus Infection: A virus or malware can cause damage to the internal structure of a RAR archive, making it impossible to read and creating a need for repair broken files from RAR.
Physical Damage to a Hard Drive: Bad sectors on a hard drive or bad clusters on a USB could leave the header of a compressed file in corruption status.
Unexpected Power Outages: An unexpected power outage or unexpected shut down while reporting the RAR file, can also cause the list to be corrupt.
Software Errors: RAR files get damaged for corrupted versions of WinRAR or software that just does not work.

How to Repair Corrupted RAR File?

In this section, we have implemented many manual and professional methods to repair broken RAR files.

Method 1: Using WinRAR ‘Repair’ Feature

The best way to repair corruption of RAR files is also the easiest and is in the use of WinRAR’s built in “Repair archive” feature. This is an option that comes with the condition of the software and will repair most any RAR file corruption. Follow these instructions to repair RAR file corrupt:

If you do not have WinRAR, go to the official site and download the newest version.
Open WinRAR and go to the folder with the corrupted RAR file.
Click on the corrupted RAR file once.
Go to the toolbar at the top of WinRAR, and select the Tools menu.
In the drop-down menu, select Repair archive. You can also select Alt+R to open the repair tool.
In the window that opens, click Browse and select the location to put the repaired RAR file.
Click OK and wait for the process to repair corrupted RAR file. WinRAR will attempt to repair the errors and create a new archive.
Once the process is finished, click Close, then open the repaired archive, and select the “Extract to” option to share your data.

This method is the first choice for anyone learning how to repair damaged RAR file or looking for repair broken RAR files because it uses the program’s native recovery features.

Other Quick Fixes for Damaged RAR Files

If the WinRAR built-in repair feature is unable to fully repair corrupted RAR file, there is no need to panic. There are still other methods you can try before bringing in a professional. These fixes are quick and easy to follow and usually don’t require too much effort to recover your data. Here are the best steps for you to take to repair corrupt RAR files, repair broken RAR files, or even try repair broken RAR file free with alternative methods.

1. Re-download the RAR File from a Trusted Source

A RAR file often fails to open because it was not downloaded correctly, creating a broken RAR file repair issue.
Re-download the file using a reliable internet connection.
Compare the new file with the old one. If the sizes do not match, the file is likely corrupt.

This simple step will usually address broken RAR file repair or even help to repair broken files RAR without any professional tools.

2. Use Third-Party Software to Repair Corrupted RAR File

If re-downloading doesn’t help, an alternative way to repair damaged RAR file is to use a professional repair tool. Built-in options, like WinRAR, are helpful for minor damage, but if the archive has become extensively damaged or has a corrupt header, you will need something more powerful to take care of it.

Among many third-party options, the RAR Repair Tool is one of the greatest (and simplest to use) corrupted RAR file repair software solutions I have reviewed.

Download Now Purchase Now

Key Features Include:

Repairs broken RAR file despite header structure damage.
Recover multiple corrupted RAR files at once.
Works on both Windows and Mac operating systems. Ideal to repair corrupt RAR file Mac users.
Recover large damaged RAR files with no limitations.
User-friendly for novice and expert RAR file repair users.

3. Use an Online RAR File Repair Service

You can upload your corrupted archive and have the online services try to repair the corrupted RAR/zip files for free.

How It Works: You upload your damaged RAR file, and once scanning and repair is done in the online service, you can download the repaired RAR file.
Limitations: Most online repair solutions usually have file size limits and are likely not secure for sensitive data.

4. Extract Healthy Files from the Damaged Archive

Often, the RAR file is not completely damaged, and other files are intact. WinRAR will extract all good files and skip the damaged files.

Open the Archive in WinRAR.
Select Extract To and then check the Keep Broken Files option.
This is a useful trick when you want to quickly retrieve some data without fully fixing the corrupted RAR file and helps when you want how to repair corrupted RAR file quickly.

Why Third-Party Software Still the Best Choice?

WinRAR’s built-in repair tool works but is limited in its ability to fix corrupted RAR file or corrupt header RAR file. An online service also works, but it presents risk when moving large or sensitive data.

An advanced alternative is to use professional software:

It guarantees 100% recovery regardless of the quantity.
Free demo repair broken RAR files option is available before purchasing.
It can repair damaged RAR file even if the headers or sections are damaged or missing.

Tips to Prevent RAR File Corruption

To avoid repeated attempts to repair corrupted RAR file:

Keep a reliable RAR file repair tool ready to go.
Only download files from trusted sources.
Use updated anti-virus software to protect improper file transfers or against malware
Do not force shut down your computer off during compression or file transfers.
Keep copies of your downloaded or important RAR archive files.

FAQs: Repair Corrupt RAR File

Q1: How to repair corrupted RAR file in android?

You can use apps like RAR for Android to open the file and repair broken RAR files in android directly on your mobile device.

Q2: Can I restore broken RAR file free?

Yes, WinRAR’s built-in tool offers to repair corrupted RAR file free. For advanced restore, the tool has a free demo.

Q3: Is it safe to use corrupted RAR file repair online?

Most of the time, online tools are not safe to repair corrupted RAR files online.

Q4: How to fix corrupted RAR files if everything fails?

If manual and online methods fail to repair damaged RAR file, then professional software is the final option.

Conclusion

Repairing a broken RAR archive may seem difficult, but you can repair corrupted RAR file with the right tools and knowledge. If you want a quick fix and your RAR archive is corrupt, at least for a file, you can perhaps start with the built-in repair module in WinRAR. If that does not do the trick, and it is corrupt in great depth to where it does not work, then there may be free online services, or possibly even a professional tool that can guarantee you fix the broken RAR files.

How to Fix & Repair Corrupted RAR File​?