Hyperlinks Not Working in PDF? Easy and Quick Fixes!

You were working on a PDF file, and something weird happened. The links in the PDF just didn't want to work. So, you turned to the internet to figure out what was going on.

Well, you've come to the right place.

So, why are hyperlinks not working in PDF? Well, there can be many reasons, but the good news is you can easily fix them.

In this article, we'll discuss why you face this problem and how to resolve it. Let's begin!

Why Is the Link in PDF not Working?

Hyperlinks are like pathways in a PDF, connecting different documents together. It can get super frustrating if these links stop working. If you're dealing with this issue, the first thing to do is to know the reason behind the problem.

• PDF Hyperlink Problem on Some Devices: It's possible that hyperlinks within your PDFs function properly on certain devices but not on others. This discrepancy arises when your PDF application lacks automatic link detection support. For instance, notable examples include the Mac Preview app for macOS and Adobe Reader for both iOS and Android platforms.
• PDF Hyperlinks Inactive After Conversion from Word, Excel, or PowerPoint: While the hyperlinks function correctly in the Word, PowerPoint, and Excel versions of the document, they become unclickable upon conversion to PDF. This is likely due to saving the file to PDF through printing, which flattens the document and renders the hyperlinks inactive. Alternatively, if converting from another file format to PDF, the URLs may not be automatically detected if "Create links from URLs" is not enabled in Acrobat.
• Your Code is Wrong: Think of links like codes – some are secure (HTTPS), and some aren't (HTTP). If your links are acting up, it could be because they're speaking a different code than they should. So, when you're making a link, be sure to start it with "http://" or "https://."
• Word Mistake: A tiny mistake in the link's address can make it go off track. Sometimes, the person making the PDF might have mixed up the words in the link, so their hyperlinks do not work.
• Corrupted PDF: Occasionally, when hyperlinks don't work in PDF, there is an issue with the PDF file itself. PDF files can become corrupted, which could affect the functionality of hyperlinks. Try opening the PDF in a different PDF reader or recreate the PDF to see if the issue persists.

Also Read: PDF to URL: 3 Best Methods With Steps

5 Effective Methods to Fix Hyperlinks Not Working in PDF

When Hyperlinks don't work, there are five methods you can try. Let's see them:

Fix 1. Edit and Update PDF Links

When your hyperlinks are not working in a PDF, one effective way to bring them back to work is by editing and updating them. This method is the easiest fix to this issue. Just check each hyperlink and edit them.

Now, you're wondering how to edit PDF links. What you need is a reliable PDF editor.

UPDF is an excellent choice for editing hyperlinks. It is like a helpful expert for anything PDF-related, especially when it comes to fixing links. It's made to simplify things and give you total control over how links behave. The most important is, that UPDF supports adding and editing hyperlinks in PDF on Windows, Mac, and iOS devices.

On top of this, even if you're not super tech-savvy, UPDF is easy to use with its simple and friendly design. Give it a try for free!

With UPDF, you can:

• Edit links you already have. Fix mistakes, change addresses, and make sure everything looks right.
• Make new links without any fuss. It's like adding new paths to your PDF.
• Unlink things you don't need. If a link is causing confusion, you can easily remove it.
• Additionally, it enables you to insert page links, facilitating navigation to specific pages within lengthy PDF documents.
•  You can also edit text, images, and other elements within PDF documents.

Here's how you can edit and update links with UPDF:

So, if you're dealing with links that just won't cooperate, UPDF steps in and saves the day. Download it from the below button, and you are good to go.

• Open your PDF file there.
• Go to "Edit PDF" and choose the "Link" to start the editing. Now, all links will be highlighted.

• You can now click to edit/update the link via double-clicking on the link. If you want, you can even delete a link and replace it with a new one.

• After updating the link, you can also customize its appearance by selecting it and clicking on the icon on the right. You can change the link type (choose between visible or invisible rectangle), the line style, the line thickness, and the border color.

What Else UPDF Can Do For You?

UPDF serves as an all-in-one solution for managing PDFs. It can fix link issues, change how the PDF looks, make it safe, and even add annotations. No matter if you need to change PDFs into different formats or do PDF compression, UPDF has you covered. Let’s see what are some of the best features of UPDF.

• PDF Conversion: It can convert PDFs to various other formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, image files, and more.
• PDF Annotation: You can add comments, highlights, stamps, and drawings to your PDF with the help of UPDF.
• PDF Security: With UPDF, you can apply password protection, encryption, and permission settings to secure your PDF files.
• PDF Creation: It helps in creating new PDF documents from scratch or by merging existing files.
• PDF Page Management: You can rearrange, rotate, insert, or delete pages in PDF documents with UPDF.
• Watermarking: Add watermarks, either text or images, to your PDF pages for branding or copyright protection.
• PDF Compression: You can reduce PDF file size to make sharing and storage more efficient.
• UPDF AI helps you summarize PDF, translate PDF, explain PDF, and more.

Interested in UPDF? Go to download it via the below button and test it on your own.

Fix 2. Switch to Another Device

If you're scratching your head over non-working hyperlinks in your PDF on your desktop, it might be time to switch to a mobile tool.

Sometimes, the device you're using can play a role in "hyperlink hiccups." The PDF might be perfectly fine, but your desktop tool could be causing the issue. This is where mobile tools swoop in to save the day. Let's discuss how you can use a mobile tool to open hyperlinks.

• Choose a reliable and user-friendly PDF tool. Many apps offer a seamless experience for viewing and interacting with PDFs on smartphones or tablets. UPDF for iOS is one of the PDF apps that allows users to click, edit, and add hyperlinks to PDF. Download it for a free trial.

• Move the PDF to your mobile device using methods like email, cloud storage, or file transfer apps. If you are using UPDF, you can use the UPDF Cloud to upload the PDF from your computer and download it from UPDF Cloud on your mobile device.
• Use the mobile PDF tool to open the PDF. Check if the hyperlinks work as expected on your mobile device. Test the links to ensure they lead to the correct places.
• If links work fine on mobile but not on the desktop, the issue may be with the desktop tool.

Fix 3. Use Another Tool

Are your PDF links not working on mobile too? Then it's time to explore other options. There are many PDF editing software options available, such as UPDF, Foxit PhantomPDF, or Nitro Pro. These tools can be used to edit or recreate hyperlinks.

If you've been relying on Adobe for your fixing hyperlinks, consider giving UPDF a shot – it might just be the solution you're looking for. UPDF shines when it comes to hyperlink matters.

Fix 4. Change to Another Stable Network

Sometimes, the solution to the "Link in PDF not working" trouble is so simple. Changing to a more stable network might just do the trick. If your links aren't working, it could be due to a weak or interrupted internet connection.

Consider switching to a different, more reliable network. This could mean switching from a slow or spotty Wi-Fi to a more strong one.

Fix 5. Update the Program

PDF readers, just like your favorite apps, get updates from time to time. These updates are like little tune-ups that make the program work better and fix any glitches. If your hyperlinks are misbehaving, it could be because the PDF reader you're using is running on an older version. Let’s discuss how you can update your PDF reader below:

• Look around the settings or menu of your PDF reader. There's often an option for updates.
• Click on that option and let the program do its thing – checking if there's a newer version available.
• If an update is found, go ahead and install it.
• Once the update is done, it might ask you to restart the program. If that happens, go ahead and give your PDF reader a fresh start.

Conclusion

All in all, the "hyperlinks not working in PDF" issue can be fixed in many ways. We’ve discussed many effective methods to bring life back to those stubborn hyperlinks and make your PDF experience even better. You can try switching devices, using different PDF readers, and changing the network.

And speaking of solutions, UPDF shines brightly. It works magic for your PDF links – fixing, updating, and enhancing them effortlessly.

So, don't let wonky hyperlinks hold you back. Install UPDF via the below link and let it fix your PDF issues!