Fix PDF Hyperlinks Not Working Error with 7 Easy Ways

Part 1: Why Are Hyperlinks in PDFs Not Working?

If hyperlinks in PDF documents are not working this could be due to reasons such as the following:

• Conversion Method: If you use the “Print” option to save Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files as PDFs instead of a proper PDF converter, the links might not work. This happens because printing to PDF flattens the document, making links unclickable.
• PDF Software Settings: In Adobe Acrobat, links may not be active if the “Create links from URLs” option is turned off.
• Incorrect URLs: Links without “http://” or “https://” may not work properly.
• Device Compatibility: Some PDF apps, especially on mobile devices, may not detect links automatically. For example, Mac Preview and Adobe Reader on iOS and Android might not recognize hyperlinks.
• Software Bugs: Sometimes, software issues can cause problems with links in PDFs. For instance, recent Microsoft Word updates can lead to a ‘converting Word to PDF hyperlinks not working’ error.

Part 2: The Best Tool to Fix PDF Hyperlinks

Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor is the best PDF management, and converter tool that doesn’t require a manual resolution to fix non-functional hyperlinks in PDFs. After converting the document from Word, Excel, or PowerPoint it makes it certain to retain the original layout and clickable links. The tool also offers numerous conversion formats and advanced features. Moreover, you can use it to edit existing hyperlinks in PDFs without needing the original document. Here are its pros:

Benefits of Using Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor

• Converts scanned PDFs to editable text with 99% accuracy, keeping the layout intact.
• Converts to/from 30+ formats like Word, Excel, PPT, and PDF/A.
• Modify text, images, watermarks, and backgrounds. Also, merge, compress, and protect PDFs.
• Edit images easily and process large file volumes without size limits.
• Use 200+ options like highlights, notes, and stamps.
• GPT-4 provides summaries and insights for long documents.
• Functions well with 16+ languages, including English, Chinese, and French.
• Responsive tech support for troubleshooting.
• Support AI model switching (connected to the DeepSeek R1 Full Blood).

How to Use Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor to Retain Hyperlinks?

• Install Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor from the official site and launch it.
• Then click “Open PDF” to add your document that doesn’t show hyperlinks. Or you can upload scanned PDFs using “OCR” beneath the “Home” tab.

• If you want to edit the document, such as add a hyperlink or edit it head to “Edit.” Then, choose “Link.” Adjust settings.

• Afterward, hit “Convert” to convert the document to any format you want while retaining active hyperlinks. You can also batch-convert numerous document formats. Once done, head to “File.” Then, choose “Save As” to export the converted document to your computer.

Part 3: Fixing Hyperlinks Not Working In PDF From Word

If your hyperlinks are not working in PDF from Word, you might have used the “Print” option for conversion which could deactivate hyperlinks. So, you’ll have to use the correct conversion method and also switch on certain settings in Word to retain hyperlinks. Here’s how you can fix ‘hyperlinks not working when converting Word to PDF’ issue:

• When saving the Word document, head to “File.” Then, choose “Save As” or “Export. Then, tap “Create PDF/XPS Document.” Pick PDF as the file type.

• Then, enable the “Best for electronic distribution and accessibility” option to keep hyperlinks active.
• To enable clickable links, head to “File.” Then, choose “Options.” Tap “Advanced.” Next, untick “CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink” to ascertain links work properly.
• Before saving as a PDF, embed fonts in Word to help preserve links.
• Right-click each hyperlink. Select “Edit Hyperlink,” and confirm the address is correct.

Part 4: Fixing InDesign Hyperlinks Not Working In PDF

When your InDesign hyperlink are not working in PDF this could be because you haven’t enabled them while exporting the document. Or it could be that the export is in the incorrect format or there’s an error in the hyperlink. To fix ‘PDF links not working’ in InDesign, follow the steps beneath:

• When exporting from InDesign, tick mark the “Hyperlinks” box in the “Include” area. Also, ascertain that “Hyperlink Preset” is switched on in “Download PDF settings – Advanced” to allow proper downloads.
  
• For hyperlinks to work, export as an “Interactive PDF” instead of a print version. Interactive PDFs automatically activate URLs and email links.
• InDesign verifies links if you're connected to the internet. A red dot means the link is broken. Click it to check for errors like extra spaces or typos. Fix the issue and make certain the dot turns green before re-exporting.
• If you move pages, internal links may break because they still point to the original page number. After finalizing the layout, update links in the “Hyperlink Panel” to reflect the new page numbers.
• Sometimes, @ turns into %40 in exported PDFs. To prevent this, set email links as Mailto: URLs (e.g., mailto:[email protected]) instead of using the email option in the “Hyperlink Panel.” If modified later, delete and recreate the link.

Part 5: Fixing Microsoft Print to PDF Hyperlinks Not Working

The ‘Microsoft Print to PDF hyperlinks are not working’ issue could happen in certain browsers, but not all of them. For example, Microsoft Edge no longer supports the Print to PDF function, making hyperlinks in the saved PDF un-clickable. Here’s how to fix ‘Microsoft Print-to-PDF hyperlinks are not working:’

• To keep hyperlinks active when saving, instead of “Print to PDF” use “Save As PDF” in Microsoft Edge to keep hyperlinks active.

Part 6: Fixing Excel to PDF Hyperlinks Not Working

When Excel to PDF hyperlinks are not working because the link’s file path or URL is incorrect, it has changed or doesn’t include http:// or https://. In addition, if the “Update Links” on the “Save” feature is enabled, links won’t function on a saved PDF. Follow the instructions beneath to fix the ‘PDF hyperlinks not working’ issue:

• Make certain the hyperlink’s file path or URL is correct. To edit it, choose the hyperlink in the cell. Then, right-click and select “Edit Hyperlink.” Edit the URL.

• Make sure the link includes http:// or https:// to stay clickable in the PDF. To do this, follow the instructions in “Step 1” and add the prefix prior to the URL.
• If the file or webpage has changed, delete and recreate the hyperlink in Excel before saving the following “Step 1.”
• Turn off “Update links on save.” To do this, head to “File.” Then, choose “Options.” Next, tap “Advanced.” Click “Web Options.” Then, head to “Files” to prevent broken links.

Part 7: Fixing Powerpoint Hyperlinks Not Working In PDF

The desktop version of PowerPoint, especially on Mac, may not keep hyperlinks in PDFs. That might be why you’re facing a ‘PowerPoint hyperlinks are not working in PDF’ error. This issue could also manifest if you’re using an outdated version of PowerPoint or the links are not correctly set up.

• Use PowerPoint Online to convert the PPT to PDF. To do this, head to “Office Online.” Then, choose “PowerPoint.” Tap “Upload” to add your PPT. Open it, then, head to “File.” Choose “Save As” and then, “Download as PDF.”



• Make certain you’re using the latest version to avoid bugs that may break hyperlinks in PDFs.
• Verify that all links are correctly set up and use proper URLs or file paths.
• On Mac, hyperlinks in master slides may not work in PDFs. So, link slides directly instead.

Part 8: PDF Hyperlinks Not Working On Mobile

In case, your PDF hyperlink is not working in mobile, the PDF reader app on your phone might be outdated or not keep active hyperlinks. Here’s how to fix this issue on your Android/iOS mobile:

For iOS Devices:

• Rename the PDF file in the Files app. Then, use a third-party PDF viewer from the “App Store.”
• Upload the file to iCloud Drive and open it on another device. Then, convert the PDF to a Word file and check the links.
• Next, copy and check the hyperlink manually.

For Android:

• Open the PDF with a third-party viewer. Next, rename the PDF and try again.
• Clear browser cookies and cache. Then, use a different browser or change the default one.

FAQs About PDF Hyperlinks Not Working

How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Hyperlinks Not Working?

To fix the ‘Adobe Acrobat hyperlinks not working’ issue, you must enable “Create links from URLs” in “Adobe Acrobat Preferences” > “General.” If links still don’t work, update Acrobat or use a professional PDF converter like Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor for better hyperlink support.

How to Fix Bluebeam Hyperlinks Not Working?

If Bluebeam hyperlinks are not working, exit Presentation View, which disables links. Then, press F11 for Full Screen Mode or set the view to Fit Page or One Full Page. Also, check hyperlinks and use the Hyperlink Tool to add or fix them.

Conclusion

The ‘PDF hyperlinks not working’ issue often comes to the forefront due to conversion methods, software settings, or device compatibility. To fix it on different platforms like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint you might need to check export settings, verify URLs, or use an updated software.

However, Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor is the ideal solution to fix the hyperlink problem. It can help preserve links while offering powerful editing tools and doesn’t compromise on the documents’s authenticity. It ascertains document integrity, prevents broken links, and improves PDF usability.