PDF tool won't open my file / says "Invalid PDF"
This usually means the PDF is either password-protected, corrupted, or uses an unusual encoding. Our PDF tools use pdf-lib, which does not support encrypted PDFs.
- If your PDF is password-protected, remove the password in Adobe Acrobat, Preview (Mac), or another PDF reader first, then retry
- If the PDF was created by a scanner, try re-saving it from a PDF reader application first
- Very old PDFs (pre-2000) sometimes use deprecated encoding that pdf-lib doesn't support
- Try opening the PDF in your browser's built-in viewer and printing it to a new PDF — this reprocesses it
Image tools produce a blurry or poor-quality output
Image quality in our tools depends on the quality setting and the amount of resizing. Here's what affects output quality:
- Image Resizer: Enlarging a small image beyond its original resolution will always produce some pixelation — that's a mathematical limitation, not a bug. Use the highest quality source image available.
- Image Compressor: Setting quality below 60% will produce visible JPEG compression artifacts on detailed images. For best results, use 75–85% quality.
- Image Converter: Converting to WEBP or PNG from JPEG doesn't restore quality lost in the original JPEG encoding. Start from the highest-quality source available.
Invoice Maker — the PDF doesn't match what I see in the preview
The Invoice Maker uses your browser's print function to generate PDFs. The preview is an HTML render, while the PDF is produced by your browser's print engine, which may render fonts and spacing slightly differently.
- In the print dialog, select "Save as PDF" as your printer (not a physical printer)
- Ensure "Background graphics" is enabled in print settings for colour backgrounds
- Chrome and Edge produce the most consistent output — Firefox may render some elements differently
- If text is wrapping unexpectedly, shorten long field values (business name, notes)
QR code isn't scanning correctly
QR codes generated by FreeToolVault are standard-compliant and should scan with any modern QR reader. If a code isn't scanning:
- Increase the output size to 512×512px for QR codes that will be printed
- Use "High" error correction (30%) for codes that will be printed on physical materials where they might get dirty or partially obscured
- Ensure there is adequate white space ("quiet zone") around the QR code when you place it in a design
- For WiFi QR codes, double-check the SSID and password are entered exactly as they appear in your router settings
Requesting a new tool
We actively add new tools based on user requests. Good tool requests include: a clear description of what the tool should do, who would use it and why, and any specific requirements (file formats, options, etc.). Popular past requests that led to new tools include the PAYE Calculator, the Business Card Maker, and the Resume Builder. Use the contact form above to submit your suggestion.
Using FreeToolVault on a slow mobile data connection
FreeToolVault is designed to work on South African mobile data connections. For best performance:
- Install FreeToolVault as a PWA (tap "Add to Home Screen" in your browser) — after the first load, all tools work offline
- The initial page load is approximately 180KB of HTML/CSS/JS, plus external font and library loads (about 500KB total on first visit)
- After the first visit, the Service Worker caches all assets so the app loads from cache even without connectivity