8 Ways to Repair ZIP And Extract Data from Corrupt ZIP Files (2024)

There is no point in arguing that the most preferred way to transfer or even download large files is using the ZIP file compression format. One of the biggest advantages of using file compression is that it just takes less disk space. But, along with such conveniences, there are certain perks to it too. Sometimes you might come across problems such as your zip file is corrupt.

The sole idea behind this article is to address the issue how to repair and extract data from corrupted zip file so that you can use them seamlessly. You will also get a detailed overview of the different reasons why such corruption of data takes place and proven methods to repair and recover corrupted Zip file.

Part 1: Possible Reasons Behind a Corrupted or Damaged ZIP File

There are several circ*mstances where are zip file might become corrupted or even damaged. Chances are, you will find the error message zip file is corrupt once you try to open up the file. So, down below is a list of some of the possible reasons behind such mishappenings:

Part 2: 8 Awesome ZIP Repair Tools to Repair And Extract Data From Corrupt ZIP Files

Bear in mind that, just because left with a corrupt or damaged ZIP file doesn't mean it's the end of the world. Based on the damage those files have sustained, there is some software out there that can retrieve data from your compressed file. Down below is a list of the six tools that you can use to extract data from your corrupted ZIP file.

1) Repairit File Repair

The best ZIP repair software is available in the form of Repairit File Repair. Repairit is the best ZIP repair tool that can repair corrupt ZIP with almost 100% success rate.

Here is a step-by-step guide to show you how to repair ZIP file with Repairit:

Step 1: Download and install the latest version of the Wondershare Repairit File Repair software on your PC. Navigate to the left side of the interface and click on Other Types Repair. Then, select Zip File Repair and upload the damaged Zip file(s) you intend to repair.

Step 2: Click the Repair button at the bottom right side to start the repair process. This will prompt Repairit to start repairing the damaged Zip file(s).

Step 3: Once the repairing process finishes, you can use the Preview button to check the result and save the file to your local storage.

This video can help you fix your corrupted zip files with a step-by-step guide.

2) Stellar File Repair

Stellar File Repair is the most trusted file repair tool in the market, it can be used for repairing and recovering the contents of Word Documents, Excel, Powerpoint as well as ZIP files. The tool comes with an easy-to-use interface, and anyone without any experience in file recovery can make use of it.

This file repair tool can repair corrupt ZIP file without any damage or loss of the contents. You can use it to recover the contents to a new location and make a fresh archive. No matter how damaged or corrupt the archives maybe, this ZIP file repair software will do the needful. Use it to recover data from virus affected archives, ZIP files affected due to incorrect file compression formats, and any other reason. Here are the steps for damaged ZIP file repair:

Step 1: Launch File Repair Tool and select the "Repair ZIP File" option start to repairing the process.

Step 2: Search corrupt ZIP file in local drive and select the specific corrupt ZIP files.

Step 3: All corrupt ZIP files list in the result section and click the "Repair" button.

Step 4: Previewing repaired ZIP files selected from the left bar.

With these simple steps, your ZIP file and its contents will be repaired without any loss. You can use this tool to recover any number of ZIP files as per your requirement- without any limitation on their size. Stellar File Repair Toolkit is capable of recovering any size and type of ZIP files- and you just have to follow the same procedure highlighted ahead!

3) WinRAR

There is no point in arguing that WinRAR is by far one of the most heavily used file compression software out there over the internet. But there is also a hidden option through which one can repair their corrupted ZIP files.

Step 1: Right-click on the corrupted ZIP file and select the option "Open with WinRAR". Once the folder is opened to WinRAR look for the "Tools" tab and select "Repair archive"

Step 2: Now you need to choose the file destination where you want to keep the repair.zip file

Step 3: As soon as you hit the OK button, WinRAR will start repairing and creating a fresh copy to your desired path. Select "Close" once the repair process is over.

Now, you will be able to find the repaired archive under the same name as that of the corrupted one within your preferred file location.

4) Zip2Fix

Zip2Fix is by far one of the easiest ways to recover files from a damaged or corrupted disk. Its simplistic approach has taken back even DiskInternals. To run Zip2Fix, all you need to do is first download the product. Now, open your corrupted file using Zip2Fix and the program will automatically start the recovering process.

No click is involved within the process, and you don't have to go through selecting your desired directory. Once the entire recovery process is over, you can easily find the repaired ZIP folder in the source directory. Now, out of every ten files, nine of them can be easily recovered with the help of Zip2Fix.

5) WinZip Command Prompt

For everyone who is using a version of WinZip 11.2 or higher, luckily, there is an option to recover corrupted ZIP using Windows Command Prompt. This is mainly beneficial for anyone who is looking forward to a more flexible solution or someone who loves for corrupt zip file repair all by themselves. Make sure to go through the following steps as you start using the Command Prompt process:

Step 1: At first, you need to press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type "cmd" and hit enter. This will open the Windows Command Prompt.

Step 3: Now, you need to change the directory to where you have kept the corrupted ZIP file. Then type, "C:\Program Files\WinZip\wzzip" -yf zipfile.zip". You need to change the filename from zipfile.zip to the actual name of the file. Once that is done, hit enter.

Step 4: In case you have a split or spanned Zip file, make sure to run through this command:

C:\Program Files\WinZip\wzzip" -yfs zipfile.zip. Remember, your recovered file has a suffix FIXED after its original file name.

6) PowerArchiver

PowerArchiver is yet another great freeware which can be easily used to retrieve data from broken or corrupted ZIP files. To use the program, you first need to go through the "Tool" menu and select the "Repair ZIP" option. You can even press "CTRL+R" altogether to speed up the entire process.

Now, to select the ZIP file you want to repair, all you need to do is enter the path of the file manually and hit the "Start" option. Just bear in mind that it will only fix the corrupted ZIP file, which makes the archive inaccessible. In case there are any corrupted files within the archive, PowerArchiver will only ignore those files and make room for the accessible ones.

7) DataNumen Zip Repair

You will notice that majority of the applications we have discussed so far are all freeware. Similarly, DataNumen Zip Repair also doesn't come with a price tag unless you are using it for your business needs. So, once you install the program, you shall meet with a welcome screen, something like this. Select "Continue Personal, non-commercial use."

As you head over to the home screen, you will find the Repair tab. You can also opt for Batch Repair if you are working around with multiple corrupted ZIP files. All you need to do is select the ZIP file you want to repair and the destination where you want to send the recovered files. And then hit, "Start Repair."

Once the repair is done, you shall be greeted with a pop-up screen along with where you can find your recovered ZIP file.

8) DiskInternals ZIP Repair

The ZIP repair software offered by DiskInterna is a freeware. Retrieving your corrupted ZIP data has never been easy before. With just the click of a few options, you can easily retrieve your data from the corrupted ZIP file. All the steps given below are very user-friendly so that you don't have to go through a ton of hassles just to retrieve back your data.

Step 1: First of all, you need to download the program and configure it according to your preference. Once that has been done, now launch the software.

Step 2: Once you are on the program's home screen, select the "Next" button to proceed. Now you need to browse through the corrupted ZIP file as well as select the right path where you want to put the repaired file.

Step 3: Now, click on the "Next" button and you will be able to find all the files that are located within the corrupted ZIP folder.

Step 4: Once the repair process is done, you will be prompted to another window. All you need to do is hit "Finish," and your data extraction process is completed. Now, you can go towards the recovery path and retrieve the files.

The Bottom Line

It is imperative to understand that there are several circ*mstances where getting a zip file is corrupt error message can get tedious at times. Going through all the above-mentioned steps can help you to retrieve your corrupted or damaged ZIP file in time. Neither less to say, we have put forward a plethora of options to choose for repair.zip file. So, in case anyone software doesn't work out, you can always resort to another one.