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[Fixed] The Archive is Either in Unknown Format or Damaged
Using WinRar’s built-in file repairer is a quick way to fix this issue
4 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Have you tried to download a zipped or a RAR file just to encounter the error messageThe archive is either in unknown format or damagedwhen trying to open it?
Rest assured that you aren’t the only one complaining about this unpleasant WinRAR situation. To better grasp, note that these issues usually result fromRAR file corruption after download, CRC errors, virus attacks, and not only.
This guide will show you the easy ways to fix this issue and restore normal service on your PC.
How to fix The archive is either in an unknown format or damaged?
1. Try to re-download the zipped or RAR archive file
The archive is either in unknown format or damaged annoying issue may also be the result of an incomplete download.
Therefore, as easy as it may seem, don’t hesitate to redownload the zipped or RAR archive files, most likely to a different location, and see if this solves the problem.
If they aren’t, the file could be damaged, and none of your actions can improve things. If you’ve tried downloading the file from a specific website, don’t hesitate to inform the site owner about the issue and if it is from a friend, ask him to resend it.
2. Fix bad sectors
In some cases, the file might not be the cause of the archive is either in an unknown format or damaged. Instead, it might be due to bad sectors on your hard drive.
The solution to this is to repair these bad sectors.
3. Try WinZip
Consider that the issue could result from a temporary or even permanent glitch of WinRAR itself, and the quickest and simplest fix would be to replace it.
You’ve seen that the messageThe archive is either in unknown format or damagedpops up unexpectedly and leads to a supposed corruption of the RAR file.
Since you experience this issue within WinRar, consider opening the archive withWinZipthis time. Navigation is straightforward, with the guarantee to easily unzip all major file formats.
Moreover, the interface easily adjusts to suit touchscreen devices, while you can connect to Dropbox and Google Drive and work smoothly on the go or at the office.
WinZip
4. Run a malware scan
It’s not uncommon to discover that severe malware attacks lead to corrupt RAR files. If the downloaded file is corrupt, you can face the archive is either in an unknown format or a damaged error.
If Windows Defender cannot fix the issue, we recommend using an award-winning antivirus such asEset Antivirus.
Long story short, it offers rock-solid protection against all virus threats and extra features to keep you safe from the latest online scams.
Moreover, with over 20 years of experience in antivirus/anti-malware solutions, you don’t have to worry about the usual false positives you get from other antivirus options.
5. Use the built-in tool
If WinRar keeps returning the archive is either in an unknown format or a damaged message, you should use the built-in file decompressor. This tool is effective and can unzip just about any file.
6. Use the WinRar repair feature
If this built-in tool does not work, you can use one of thebest tools for repairing corrupt archive files.
That is about it for the archive is either in an unknown format or damaged error. We believe you have all the information needed to fix the issue in this detailed guide.
If you want to know how tofix the WinRar no archive file founderror, check our detailed guide to do it quickly.
Don’t hesitate to share how you’ve solved this issue in the comments below.
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
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Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
