Troubleshooting: File translation

• If a file exceeds the supported limits, it might not be fully translated. To learn about limits, see I can upload a file, but it can't be translated.
• When translating a scanned file, the quality of the scan can affect the quality of your translation. If your file hasn't been fully translated, try scanning it again and increasing the resolution.

• This might happen if the content of your file isn’t fully compatible with the official specification of the supported file formats. This could, for example, happen if you convert a file from a non-supported format to one of the formats supported by DeepL.
• If the translation of a .docx/.doc or .pptx file fails, you can try to convert the file to PDF before uploading it for translation.
• If the translation of a PDF file fails, you can try to translate the source .docx/.doc or .pptx file if it is available.

• Since the PDF file conversion relies on optical character recognition, it may be subject to a higher error rate.
• If you are unsatisfied with the PDF file translation and your PDF file was created from a .docx/.doc or .pptx document, you can try translating that source document instead.
• Custom fonts and large image sizes might impact the quality of translation. If possible, use documents with fewer visual elements.
• When translating a scanned file, the quality of the scan can affect the quality of your translation. We recommend a scan resolution of 300 DPI (Dots Per Inches).
• PDF files exported from CAD files, e.g., floor plans, are not supported for file translation.

• The translation of your .docx file might fail, if the file contains too many suggestions. These impact the text recognization and prevent the translation of your file.
• In your editing tool accept or dismiss all open suggestions and try to translate the file again.

If you are still experiencing problems with file translations, please contact DeepL Support.

File format

• Check that the format of your file is supported in your DeepL plan
• Ensure you are logged in

Multiple files

• Multiple files can be translated with the desktop app and web translator. This function allows you to translate files with different source languages, but the target language for all translations will be the same.

See API documentation to learn about file translation via DeepL API.

Password protection

• Check that your file isn’t password protected.
   

No editable text

• In .docx/.doc, .pptx, .xlsx files, text within an image format can’t be translated. In this case, you can convert your file to PDF before uploading it for translation.
   

Source language not supported

• Check that we support the source language of your file. See supported source languages here.
   

Expired session

• Check that you are logged in to your account and check the status of your subscription in your DeepL account. 
   

File size

• Your file size shouldn’t exceed the file size limits on DeepL Translator
• Your file shouldn’t exceed the character limit for the file translation feature

Check the file size limits and character limits here.

Download the file again

If you can't download your translated files on the DeepL website or in the desktop apps, try downloading them again. To do so, click Download again next to the translated file. This option is available until you leave the page or start a new translation.

Change the download folder

By default, downloaded files are usually placed in the Downloads folder. You can change the download folder in the dialog that appears, when the download starts.

Make sure that your selected download location is correct and that you have access to the selected folder.

Automatic download was deactivated

If only one file was downloaded automatically after the translation, the auto download setting might be deactivated or blocked in your browser. 

Learn how to re-enable auto download for your browser below:

For Chrome

1. On www.deepl.com/translator/files, click the page settings icon next to the URL
2. Select Site settings
3. Scroll to Automatic downloads
4. In the dropdown menu next to Automatic downloads, select Ask (default) or Allow

For Edge

1. On www.deepl.com/translator/files, click the page settings icon next to the URL
2. Under Permissions for this site, go to Automatic downloads
3. In the dropdown menu next to Automatic downloads, select Ask (default) or Allow

Automatic download blocked by internal network settings

If the issue persists after you enable automatic downloads, or if the Automatic download setting is grayed out, an internal firewall or proxy server might be causing the issue. Reach out to your IT department to check the network settings.

If the Automatic download setting can't be enabled due to internal security measures, try uploading each file for translation one at a time.

Should the issue persist, reach out to DeepL Support.

Reach out to DeepL Support to discuss options to restore your lost file translations.