A PDF won't upload or shows errors

What to do when a PDF is rejected, won't load, or causes errors when you import or sign it.

Written By Sebastian

Last updated About 3 hours ago

fynk supports password-protected PDFs and PDFs with form fields. If an upload or signing fails, check the password prompt, file size and file structure before converting the file.

Available on all plans

Open a password-protected PDF

Upload the PDF as a document and enter its password when fynk asks. You can then view and work with the document in fynk.

This does not apply to file storage: you can upload a password-protected PDF there, but you cannot view it inside fynk.

PDF form fields

For a PDF you want to sign, fynk can turn embedded form fields into dynamic fields. If you do not need those fields, choose Flatten PDF when offered. Flattening creates a new revision and preserves the original.

Uploads blocked for security reasons

fynk scans uploads for malicious content. If it detects a potential threat, the upload is blocked entirely. Do not open a flagged PDF to try to repair or convert it. Ask the sender or your IT team for a verified clean copy, preferably exported as a plain PDF from the trusted original source. A clean plain PDF may resolve the problem, but it must still pass the security scan.

Fallback: save a copy as a plain PDF

Use the following steps only for a trusted file that has not been flagged as a security risk.

Open the PDF on your computer.
Choose Print and select Save as PDF or Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
Upload the new file to fynk.

This can remove form fields and other layers that cause processing problems. For a protected file, you need its password and permission to print or export it. Keep the original: converting or flattening a PDF can remove existing digital signatures. If you have a PDF tool such as Adobe Acrobat, you can use Flatten instead.

Common problems

What you see	Likely cause	What to do
The file is rejected, or the status shows Encrypted	The PDF is password-protected or restricted	Enter the password when fynk prompts you. If unlocking still fails, remove the protection in a PDF tool you have permission to use, then upload a copy.
The upload fails or loads forever	The file is larger than 30 MB	Compress a copy of the PDF, or split it into several files and link them. Keep the original: compression or splitting can invalidate existing digital signatures.
The document loads, but signing fails or never finishes	The PDF has form fields (including XFA forms) or very large images	Save it as a plain PDF and start again
The file is rejected as a security risk	The upload scan detected potentially malicious content	Do not open the flagged file. Ask the sender or your IT team for a verified clean PDF exported from a trusted source.
The status shows Not processable	fynk couldn't read the file's structure	Save it as a plain PDF and upload it again
A Word file opens in the editor instead of being imported	Word files become editable fynk documents	Export it to PDF first if you want to import it as a completed contract
Pages are blank or white after upload	The scan uses JPEG 2000 (jpx) image encoding	Export it as PDF/A with Optimize images for display and upload it again
Chrome doesn't open or display PDFs from fynk	Chrome's PDF settings	Go to chrome://settings/content/pdfDocuments and let Chrome open PDFs, or try an incognito window

Problems when signing with a qualified signature

Some qualified signature providers reject PDFs that already contain signatures or form layers, for example with the message "Expired signature found". Flatten the PDF or save it as a plain PDF before you start signing. See Sign an uploaded PDF.

Good to know

Each PDF can contain up to 100 pages and be up to 30 MB in size. You can import up to 200 files at once. If a PDF exceeds the page limit, split a copy into smaller documents and link them. Annexes that do not need AI analysis can be added as attachments; attachments are not included in AI analysis or search. Keep the original, as splitting can invalidate existing digital signatures.
Scanned PDFs are fine. fynk recognises the text automatically.
If a PDF already has signatures you want to keep, import it with Import without signing. The original file stays unchanged.
If a file still fails, contact support with the error message and details of what you tried. If it was flagged as a security risk, say so and follow support's instructions for handling the file.

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