Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: GhostScript - attempting to reduce the file size of a PDF - error

GhostScript error reducing PDF file size

Quick Answer: Check if the input PDF contains invalid or corrupted data, and try running the command with the -dNOPAUSE option to see if it produces any additional output.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 🎯 Final Words

The error message you're encountering when attempting to reduce the file size of a PDF using GhostScript is frustrating and can be difficult to troubleshoot. This issue affects users who are trying to compress their PDF files without losing any important information.

Despite its importance, this problem doesn't receive much attention in terms of official support or guidance from GhostScript developers.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the input file contains invalid data. When GhostScript encounters such data it throws an unrecoverable error and terminates the process. This can happen due to various reasons like corrupted PDF files, incompatible fonts, or incorrect annotations.
  • Another possible cause could be the version of GhostScript you are using. It's possible that there is a bug in the current version which causes this issue.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Optimizing Input File

  1. Step 1: Check if the input file contains any corrupted or invalid data by opening it with a text editor or a PDF viewer. If the file appears to be clean, try deleting all annotations and bookmarks before running the compression command.
  2. Step 2: If you are still getting the same error after cleaning up the annotations and bookmarks, try using a different version of GhostScript. It's possible that there is a bug in the current version which causes this issue.
  3. Step 3: If none of these steps work, try to create a minimal PDF file with only text content and see if the error persists.

Alternative Compression Method

  1. Step 1: Instead of using pdfwrite, try using pdfcompress. This device is specifically designed for compressing PDF files without losing any information.
  2. Step 2: Note that this method might not work for all types of PDF files and may require additional configuration.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the error you're encountering when trying to reduce the file size of a PDF using GhostScript, try optimizing your input file by cleaning up annotations and bookmarks. If this doesn't work, try using an alternative compression method like pdfcompress. Remember to always test your files with different versions of GhostScript to ensure that the issue is not due to a bug in the current version.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🛠️ Related Fixes

How to Fix: Pc crashes shortly after launching game (rainbow

Fix Pc crashes shortly after launching game (rainbow six siege). Compl

How to Fix: Installing an APK on a locked down phone

Installing an APK on a locked down phone: Try using a rooted device, e

How to Fix: New PC build- no signal and no clue

Fix New PC build- no signal and no clue. Complete troubleshooting guid