Fixed: Why Does My PDF Disappear? [3 Methods Here] (2024)

How do I find a PDF that disappeared?

PDF, which means Portable Document Format, is a kind of file format by Adobe. It is widely used in your life and work for it can save both texts and pictures. Like other file types, it is also possible that PDF files disappear or lose. Then you need to recover PDF filesin an efficient way. Before knowing how to get PDF files back, you can learn something about “why does my PDF disappear”.

Why does my PDF disappear?

You may encounter the “PDF file disappears after opening”issue when you use the PDF file. This situation can be caused by program crashes, browser errors, plugin problems, insufficient cash storage, and more. Or, your PDF text disappears after saving, which can be due to virus attacks, system crashes, human errors, etc.

If you want to find your disappeared PDF files, here come 3 different solutions and you can choose one which is suitable for you to recover deleted PDF files.

How can I recover deleted PDF files

After knowing “why does my PDF file disappear”, we prepared 3 useful ways to recover your PDF files after disappearing. With the help of them, you can get your PDF files back even if they have been permanently deleted.

Way 1. Recover PDF files from Recycle Bin

When you meet Adobe PDF disappears after a few seconds,you can try the solution at once.This method is suitable for the situation that your PDF disappeared recently. If your PDF files are deleted in a normal way, they will be saved in Recycle Bin on the desktop of your computer. Then it is easy to recover deleted files from Recycle Binon your computer.

Just open Recycle Bin on your desktop and locate your PDF files. Next, right-click on it and choose Restore.

Note:If your PDF file is larger than 8998MB, it will be permanently deleted directly when your PDF disappears after a few seconds.To solve it, you can refer the following methods.

Way 2. Recover PDF files with a CMD tool

How to recover deleted PDF not in Recycle Bin? You can use an efficient tool to help you like the CMD tool called Windows File Recovery. It is provided by Microsoft and you can get it in Windows 10 2004 or later versions. If you are using an older version of Windows system, please go to Way 3.

Windows File Recovery allows you to recover different types of files. But it is not easy for normal users who have no idea about command lines.

So, you need to learn something about command lines. Here comes the basic command: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

And the [/switches] you can use are listed below for reference:

The [/mode] you could configure using the file system are listed as well.

Now, you can try recovering your PDF files with such a command line tool:

1. First, go to the Microsoft Store to choose Get and install Windows File Recovery on your computer.

2. Next, go to the Windows menu to find this app, and click on Run as administrator.

3. Input the command like winfr C: D: /extensive /n *.pdf

This command means recovering PDF files from C: Drive to D: drive.

Note:To get a clear graphical user interface, you can try another freeware called WinfrGUI. It is a Windows File Recovery alternative to help you recover deleted or lost files from hard drives, which provides easier operation steps.

Way 3. Recover PDF files via an easy file recovery tool

Since Windows File Recovery can help you to find your deleted files, it is too complex for you. If you do not know much about command line, it is advisable for you to try this easy free file recovery tool - MyRecover.

MyRecover is a professional file recovery software with simple operation steps. It supports to recover any type of file from different situations. So you can recover your disappeared PDF files on the computer with ease.

MyRecover has lots of shining points:

● Scan and recover files at a high speed and recovery rate.
● Compatible with Windows OS: Windows 11/10/8/7 SP1 & Server.
● Keep the recovered file with its original filename/format/path.
● Multiple scan methods are provided for free.
● Support to recover more than 200 types of files.

Now, download and install the MyRecover app on your computer. Then here is an easy guideline to recover your disappeared PDF files with ease:

1. First, click the partition or disk where your PDF files disappear. And click Start Scanto let it be scanned.

2. Then you can see your deleted files and other missing files after Quick Scan/Deep Scan automatically.You can type the filenameof PDF filesin the search box or use the Filter feature to choose PDF file to find them quickly.

3. Finally, check the scanning result. Select a new location to store your recoveredPDFfiles. After that, click on the Recover X files button to recover your disappeared PDF files quickly.

To sum up

This post has told you “why does my PDF disappear”and how to find your deleted and lost PDF files. No matter what situation you met, you can use an easy file recovery softwarelike MyRecover to help you.