Kernel Data Recovery Blog

5 ways to repair corrupt MS PowerPoint files

Read time: 8 minutes

Picture this scenario: You’ve invested significant time and effort into crafting an MS PowerPoint presentation, and just moments before your scheduled presentation, it fails to open. The resulting tension can be overwhelming. Various factors can lead to the corruption of a PowerPoint file. Here are a few of them outlined below.

Free methods to repair corrupt MS PowerPoint files

PowerPoint files can become corrupted in two different scenarios: either you can open the PPT file, or you cannot. If you can open a corrupted PowerPoint file, you can attempt to repair it using free manual methods. However, if the file cannot be opened, you will need to opt for a professional solution. This blog discusses both manual and professional methods to address a corrupt PowerPoint file.

Method 1: Try moving the file to a new location

In Windows: Open Computer, on the left pane; Click on MY PC and then right-click on the disk responsible for the issues. Then click Properties>Tools tab > click on Check Now, that is available under the Error Checking section. Also, do make sure to check both options. Click on Start to repair PowerPoint file.

In Mac: Here, first, go to the “utilities” folder and then open Disk Utility. Try and attempt to open the disk, which is causing a problem on the left pane. Click on First-Aid and wait till the scan is complete.

For example, If the PowerPoint file is currently saved on your hard drive, consider copying it to an external drive, such as a USB drive. Then, attempt to open the file from the external drive. If the PowerPoint opens without any errors in this location, it indicates that the issue may be related to your hard drive.

Method 2: Insert PPT slides to a new blank PPT

Try inserting the PPT slides into a new blank PPT presentation. To do this, follow the below steps:

This way the corrupt PPT file can be repaired with new slides.

Method 3: Use “Open and Repair” option

One common method that you can use to repair PowerPoint files free is the “Open and Repair” option of Microsoft. To use open repair, follow these steps.

If there is only a minor corruption in the file, then this option can quickly fix the error.

Method 4: Open Microsoft PowerPoint in safe mode

Opening MS PowerPoint in safe mode will allow you to edit and format the PPT slides as per requirements. To open MS PowerPoint in safe mode, follow these steps.

Opening in safe mode can fix small corruption issues in it.

Method 5: Open presentation in PowerPoint viewer

Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer helps you view any PowerPoint file for free. The features of this software will enable you to open corrupted PowerPoint files. Here are the steps to follow to open presentation with PowerPoint Viewer:

Method 6: Kernel for PowerPoint

If none of the free methods for repairing PowerPoint files prove successful in resolving PPT errors, you can turn to Kernel for PowerPoint. It is a powerful PowerPoint repair tool specifically engineered to address issues with corrupted Microsoft PowerPoint files. It comes equipped with several compelling features, including:

With that in mind, let’s explore how to use Kernel for PowerPoint. Below is a step-by-step guide on utilizing this tool:

  1. Select PowerPoint File by clicking on Browse.
  2. Click on the Recover button to recover corrupt slides.
  3. The Kernel for PowerPoint asks you for the location where you wish to save the recovered file. Select the desired location and click OK.
  4. The Recovery Mode Selection window comes up. Select between Standard Mode and Integrated Mode
  5. In case you are selecting Standard Mode, do this:
  6. Click OK, and the Recovery process begins.
    • Kernel for PowerPoint extracts and initializes the images
    • After the initializing process is complete, the software searches for images.
    • The process of searching slides begins.
  7. The software will display the found slides.
  8. Select the appropriate Master Slide, the contents of which are to be recovered. Click Ok.
  9. The software starts recovering text data of the selected Master. The first pane displays the recovered text in the slide.
  10. The software recovers the objects.
  11. The Kernel for PowerPoint confirms the saving process.
  12. You can now access the recovered files from the specified location. You can find them either by directly navigating to the location of the “Rec” folder as indicated in the message box or by clicking on the path provided. By default, Kernel for PowerPoint creates a “Rec” folder at the selected location and saves the recovered data in that folder. Once you’ve located your recovered files, click OK.
  13. (Note: Kernel for PowerPoint saves the recovered data in three different files: Text, Pictures, and Slide.)

  14. The corrupt PowerPoint presentation file is recovered successfully.

You can also use Integrated Mode in case you are not getting results from the above-mentioned Standard Mode.

Following the above five methods, users can quickly repair and restore data from their corrupt PowerPoint files.

Conclusion

The corruption of your PPT files should not be taken lightly as it can lead to permanent data loss if not fixed on time. Carry out the solutions given above one by one and repair PPT files. As per our advice, if you want a 100% repair solution, take the trial of Kernel for Excel Repair tool. With its easy-to-use interface and advanced repairing features, you will feel the difference in the repair process done in just a few clicks. Try it out today.