How to Repair a Corrupt RAR File

When you download a RAR file, it's not uncommon for it to become corrupted during the transfer process. A corrupt RAR file can be frustrating and may render your files useless. However, there are a few ways to repair a corrupt RAR file using WinRAR and QuickPar.

Using WinRAR to Repair a Corrupt RAR File

When you open a corrupt RAR file with WinRAR, the program will list the files it has found in the archive as it rebuilds a new archive. This process may take some time, but even if not all files are found, rebuilding the file anyway might still yield some results. If the program states that a recovery record is found, you have a much better chance of getting a successfully repaired RAR file.

When the Repair prompt comes up, you will have the option to treat the archive as a ZIP file or as a RAR file. Otherwise, click Tools and select Repair Archive from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can hold down ALT + R on your keyboard for the program to bring up the Repair prompt.

Using QuickPar to Repair a Corrupt RAR File

QuickPar is a useful tool that can recover broken RAR archives in many cases, especially if a recovery record exists. If you have access to Usenet and can find the same RAR file posted online with PAR2 recovery blocks present, QuickPar will even work with split RARs.

To use QuickPar, simply open the particular volume that is giving trouble and attempt repair as shown below. This tool is especially useful for those who download files from Usenet where PAR2 files might be posted with the file(s) to recover in the event of corruption.

Corrupt RAR archives are quite common online, so it's essential to know how to repair them. WinRAR and QuickPar are both powerful tools that can help you recover your files. By following these simple steps, you should be able to repair a corrupt RAR file and regain access to your valuable data.

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