DocAISign

Troubleshooting

PDF will not upload? Check size, passwords and file format

By the DocAISign team · Reviewed · About 3 min read

Start with the error you can see and the file you selected. Renaming an extension or repeatedly pressing Upload rarely fixes the underlying issue. This guide describes DocAISign’s current upload checks and a short recovery path.

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Check that it is a real PDF

Open the file in a PDF viewer before uploading. Changing “document.docx” to “document.pdf” does not convert its contents. If your source is Word, export or save it as PDF in the original editor, then open that exported copy and review the pages.

The production upload page currently asks Word users to save as PDF. Do not rely on Word conversion being available on the server. For photographs of paper, use Scan paper to crop and order the images before creating a PDF.

Next step

Check both file size and page count

DocAISign accepts a PDF up to 20 MB and 100 pages. A file can meet one limit and still exceed the other. Check its properties and page count rather than assuming that a short filename or a few scanned sheets means a small file.

If the source is yours to edit, export a suitable copy or reduce unnecessarily large images before signing. Read the smallest text after compression. Do not discard required pages merely to fit a limit; use a workflow that can handle the full document.

Next step
Try it in your browser

Password-protected or damaged files

A password-protected PDF can be rejected with a request to remove its password. Only do that when you are authorised to change the file. Ask the document owner for an uploadable copy if necessary; this workflow does not bypass protection.

If an ordinary viewer also reports an error, return to the source and export a new PDF. A fresh export is usually a better diagnostic than resaving the same broken download under a different name. Keep the original so you can compare page count and content.

Next step

An interrupted upload is different from an invalid file

If the page offers Retry upload after a transfer problem, keep the tab open, restore a stable connection and retry once. A file-format or size error needs a corrected file instead. Read the message before starting several parallel uploads.

After success, confirm that you reached the document editor and inspect its preview. A progress bar reaching the end describes transfer progress; the application still needs to validate and prepare the file. Avoid leaving the tab until that hand-off completes.

Next step

If the editor opens but a page does not render

This is a preview problem rather than an upload failure. Use any page retry control offered after reconnecting. Compare the page with your original PDF and do not place or finalise signatures on a blank or incomplete preview.

For a persistent problem, record the visible error, browser version, file size and page count. Share those diagnostics before sending a private document to support. Do not post signing links, access tokens or a sensitive PDF in a public discussion.

Before you continue

  • The selected copy opens normally and contains every required page.
  • It is within both the file-size and page-count limits.
  • The editor preview matches the source, including rotated pages.
  • No required content was lost during export or compression.
  • Signature/date boxes are placed only after the preview is complete.