Solve Hyperlinks not Working in PDF - 5 Methods

It can be very frustrating when you find the hyperlinks in your PDF fail to work, especially after conversion, editing, or even sharing. This common problem is usually due to the diversity of the many types of PDF software available in the market. If the two parties transferring the PDF file are each using different PDF software, and each software uses different codes and algorithms, it can be difficult to pinpoint the problem and correct it.

The purpose of this article is to demystify this often-encountered issue by introducing five universal methods to resolve 'hyperlinks not working in PDF'. The provided strategies will help you ensure your hyperlinks are always clickable.

In this part, you will check some of the common solutions to tackle the problem. From checking the hyperlink correctness to utilizing another PDF editor, each method will get your hyperlinks back on track. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, these solutions are designed to be simple yet powerful.

1. Check the Hyperlink

Often, the simplest explanation is the right one. So you can try out the basics. The first step to solving hyperlinks not working in PDFs is to ensure that the link is complete, correct, and updated. Here’s how you can go about it:

Step 1. Open your PDF file and go to the place where your hyperlink is.

Step 2. Manually open the link, and see if it leads you to the intended webpage. If the hyperlink doesn’t go to the right page, or not opening at all, there might be an issue with the link itself.

Step 3. If you’re the one who added the hyperlink, then you can check if the link started with “http://” or “https://”. Any typos or missing parts in the URL can cause the hyperlink to malfunction.

Step 4. Website structure changes or page removal can result in a broken link, make sure the hyperlink still exists.

In many cases, the issue can be resolved by simply correcting or updating the hyperlink. However, if you're still experiencing problems, don't worry. Keep reading and try other solutions here.

2. Check the Original PDF

If the problem persists even after checking the hyperlinks, it’s time to check the original document. This is especially relevant if your PDF was originally a Word document. Here are the steps of how to fix hyperlinks not working in PDF from Word.

Step 1. Open the Word document that was converted to PDF.

Step 2. Find and click the problematic hyperlink.

Step 3. Right-click the hyperlink, select “Edit Hyperlink” and check the URL.

Step 4. Correct any errors, save changes, and reconvert to PDF. Test the hyperlink in the new PDF.

3. Open with Other PDF Readers

The third solution you can try is to open your PDF with another PDF reader. Sometimes the problem can be the PDF reader you’re using. For instance, you may have encountered issues like "PDF links not working in Adobe Reader" or "PDF links not working in Chrome". Here's how to tackle that:

Step 1. If you're using Adobe Reader, try opening the PDF in a different reader like Chrome or another browser.

Step 2. Similarly, if the issue arises in Chrome, try using Adobe Reader or another PDF reader software.

Step 3. Check the hyperlink in the new PDF reader. If it works, the issue might be with the original PDF reader's settings or compatibility.

Remember, PDF readers can behave differently, so it's always a good idea to try your PDF in a few different ones.

If you're still wrestling with unresponsive hyperlinks, even situations like Canva hyperlink not working in PDF, don't worry! Here introduce you to a user-friendly and powerful tool, iTop PDF. As a free PDF editor for Windows, iTop PDF can quickly correct problems with hyperlinks not working in PDFs.

How to Fix Hyperlinks not Working in PDF with iTop PDF

Follow the step-by-step guide below, you will know how to edit the not working hyperlinks with iTop PDF.

Step 1. Click the button to download and install iTop PDF on your computer.

Step 2. Open the PDF files you want to correct the hyperlink.

Step 3. Switch to the Edit tab, and click the Link option to edit or remove the wrong hyperlink.

With this method, iTop PDF proves its versatility. Whether you're dealing with InDesign hyperlinks not working in PDF or need to add new ones, iTop PDF becomes your go-to tool. It offers a flexible approach to managing and troubleshooting hyperlinks effectively in your PDFs.

The Main Features of iTop PDF

What iTop PDF can do is more than help you to edit a PDF, check the main features of this tool now.

Unlimited Free-to-Edit PDFs

 As a standout feature, iTop PDF offers limitless free editing of PDF files. This includes fixing hyperlinks, adding annotations, and even tasks like compress PDF online. It's a robust tool that doesn't limit your potential to modify and optimize your PDFs.

Super-Easy to Install and Use

iTop PDF's installation process is a breeze, and its intuitive user interface makes it user-friendly. From correcting hyperlinks to more advanced functions, navigating through the software is straightforward and hassle-free.

No Registration Required

One of the best parts about iTop PDF is that no registration is required to use it. Simply download, install, and you're ready to go! This also includes features such as add watermarks to PDFs, making your document editing process seamless and efficient.

Transitioning from external hyperlinks, let’s now address another common issue you might encounter - internal links not working in PDF. Instead of linking to an external webpage, internal links direct you to different locations within the same PDF document.

Just like external links, internal links might also not work due to various reasons such as incorrect linking in the original document, broken links during conversion, or even software compatibility issues. Here's how you can fix them:

Step 1. Check the original document.

If your PDF was converted from Word, please revisit the original Word document. The "Hyperlinks not working in PDF in Word" problem usually stems from the original document. Check to make sure internal links link correctly to the intended section.

Step 2. Delete and add the link again.

If an internal link appears to be configured correctly in the original document but still doesn't work in the PDF, try removing it and adding it again. This may seem simple, but it often does the trick.

Step 3. Convert the document again.

After correcting or recreating internal links in the original Word document, save the changes and convert the document to PDF again. Open a new PDF and test internal links.

Remember that internal linking is essential for navigating larger PDFs. Therefore, ensuring that they function properly is critical to a smooth reader experience. If you've followed these steps, you should be up and running with internal links!

The Bottom Line

Navigating the world of PDFs can sometimes be a tricky task, especially when hyperlinks refuse to cooperate. Whether it's a case of 'hyperlinks not working in PDF', or broken internal links, rest assured that there are ways to tackle these issues.

From checking the original document to using the right PDF reader, and most effectively, using a versatile tool like iTop PDF, these methods ensure your PDFs function as intended. Remember, iTop PDF is a free, easy-to-use PDF editor that allows unlimited edits to your PDF files. Download iTop PDF today, and take control of your PDF experience.

What makes iTop PDF a must-have software?

• Edit PDF smoothly without hassle
• Convert PDF to any format in high quality
• Split and Merge PDF files easily and quickly
• Add e-signature effortlessly to your PDF

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