Why PDF Links Fail: Common Issues and How To Fix Them

You’re not the only one who has ever clicked a link in a PDF and absolutely nothing happened. It’s one of those small but frustrating issues that can make a simple task way harder than it should be. But there are some common reasons this happens, and once you know what to look for, fixing it is usually straightforward.

Broken or Incorrectly Formatted Links

It sounds obvious, but a tiny mistake in the URL can be all it takes to break a link. If even one letter is wrong, or if the link is missing the “http://” or “https://” at the beginning, your browser could return an error, or your PDF viewer might not recognize it as a clickable link. Even extra spaces or punctuation at the end of a URL can cause problems. If PDF links not working is an issue you’re facing, the first thing to check is whether the original links were correct before you even converted the document. If the problem persists, try using our PDF Converter to turn Word and other documents to PDF format, with the links in place.

The PDF Creator’s Mistake

Not all PDF creators handle links the same way. If you’ve ever used Word or other software to create a PDF with links, only for the links to not work, this could be why. Some programs don’t always transfer hyperlinks correctly when exporting to PDF. And if the links were only styled to look like hyperlinks—like underlined blue text—but weren’t actually linked, they won’t work after conversion. Similarly, if your document was created in a desktop or online design tool, the export settings you chose might not have preserved the links properly.

Viewing in the Wrong App or Browser

Correctly formatted and error-free clickable links should work in every PDF viewer. But if you find this not to be the case, especially when opening a PDF in a browser such as Chrome, it might be because of security settings or browser extensions interfering with the file. This can be even more of a problem on mobile—whether you’re on Android or iPhone—because some PDF viewers still don’t support automatic link detection.

Security Settings Getting in the Way

If a PDF has strict security settings, it can block links from working. Some documents are locked to prevent changes, and those same settings can also disable links. If your links in a PDF won’t open no matter what, checking the document’s security settings might reveal that permissions are too restrictive.

Email Clients Breaking Links in PDFs

Sometimes, links work just fine when you test them, but as soon as you send the PDF as an email attachment, they stop working. An email link in PDF not working can happen because email clients like Gmail or Outlook sometimes modify attachments for security reasons, which can interfere with hyperlinks. If the PDF was compressed or altered during sending, that could be the issue.

Quick Fixes for PDF Links That Won’t Work

Now that we know what causes the problem, let’s go over how to fix it.

Check and Fix Links Before Converting to PDF

Before you even save your document as a PDF, make sure every link is working correctly. In Word, Docs, or Pages, click each hyperlink to confirm it leads to the right place. If you’re using Canva, check that the links are properly embedded and not just styled text.

When you’re ready to convert, use Smallpdf’s PDF Converter to ensure that links remain active. Some built-in PDF creators don’t always preserve hyperlinks, so using a tool designed for this purpose can save a lot of frustration. Especially when it can convert Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents, along with multiple image formats.

Adjust PDF Viewer or Browser Settings

If your links aren’t working in Chrome or another browser, check the settings. Some browsers block external links in PDFs for security reasons. Try opening the PDF in a dedicated reader instead of in browser mode. If you’re on mobile, switching to a different PDF viewer can also help. On Android and iPhone, some apps don’t auto detect links, which is why trying a different PDF viewer works sometimes. If you’re at work, you can also check with the IT department if there are any security protocols that might disable links.

Update PDF Security Settings

If security restrictions are preventing links from opening, you’ll need to adjust the permissions. Open the PDF’s properties and check if any settings are disabling links. If the document was created with restrictions, changing these permissions can allow links to work properly again. If you’re not the creator of the PDF, you might need access to an unrestricted version. If the encryption isn’t too strong, our Unlock PDF tool might be able to remove restrictions.

Recreate the PDF with the Right Export Settings

If nothing else is working, the best fix might be to create a new version of the PDF with the correct settings. In Word, Docs, Pages, or LibreOffice, use the Save as PDF option instead of printing to PDF—this keeps interactive elements intact. If you’re using Canva, make sure the link settings are correct before exporting. Recreating the PDF the right way can prevent issues like Word to PDF links not working.

Common Questions About Stubborn PDF Link Issues

Why are my hyperlinks not working in my PDF?

There are a few possible reasons—incorrect formatting, lost links during conversion, or restrictions in the PDF viewer. First, check if the links were working in the original document before converting. If they were, try opening the PDF in a different viewer or checking the security settings. If the links still won’t work, save the document in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint format, then use Smallpdf’s PDF Converter to change it to PDF with the hyperlinks intact.

How do I enable hyperlinks in a PDF?

Hyperlinks should be enabled automatically if they were properly formatted before conversion, but sometimes security settings or viewer limitations get in the way. If your links aren’t working, try opening the PDF in a different app to see if the issue is with your current viewer. If that doesn’t work, check the document’s security settings to make sure links aren’t being blocked.

How do I make a PDF link work?

Start by confirming that the link is correctly formatted in the original document—look for typos, missing “https://” or extra spaces. If the PDF has already been created, try opening it in a different viewer to rule out compatibility issues. If links still won’t open, it might be necessary to recreate the PDF using a tool that preserves hyperlinks. If you didn’t create the original document, speak to the creator, if possible, to see if the links work for them. This will help you pick up where the fault lies.

Why isn’t my link working after converting to PDF?

Some PDF creators strip out hyperlinks during conversion, which is why you might end up with Word to PDF links not working. Try converting the document again, but this time, use a tool that’s known to preserve links. Smallpdf’s PDF Converter keeps hyperlinks functional, so that’s a good place to start.

How do I fix hyperlinks from Word that stop working in a PDF?

If your Word document’s links aren’t working after conversion, go back and check if they were properly formatted before saving as a PDF. Make sure they’re clickable in Word first. When saving, use the Save as PDF option rather than printing to PDF, as the latter can break links by flattening the document. If problems persist, try using PDF Converter to maintain link functionality.

Why won’t embedded links in my PDF open?

If the links are clearly visible but won’t open, the issue is probably related to the PDF’s security settings, or the app you’re using to view it. Some browsers and email clients block external links by default, so try opening the PDF in a different viewer. If that doesn’t work, check the document’s properties and update any security settings that might be disabling link functionality.