We value your thoughts! Share your feedback with us in Comment Box ✅ because your Voice Matters!

2024 » Fix WinRAR No Archives Found Error

EASY TO APPLY Methods to Get Rid of WinRAR No Archives Found Error or No File to Extract Error.

Ad

WinRAR is one of the most popular file compression and extraction tools, trusted by millions for its reliability.

However, like any software, it sometimes encounters errors that can leave users scratching their heads. One such common issue is the "No Archives Found" error.

Encountering the “No Archives Found” error in WinRAR can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to extract an important file. This error typically means WinRAR cannot recognize or open the archive, but fortunately, there are several ways to fix it.

If you’ve come across this problem, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through what causes the error and provide solutions to help you resolve it.

How to Get Rid of WinRAR No Archives Found Problem

Fix WinRAR No Archives Found Error

Let’s move on to how you can fix these issues.

Fix 1: Redownload the Archive

If the "No Archives Found" error occurs due to a corrupted or incomplete download, the first and easiest solution is to re-download the archive file.

  1. Delete the corrupted archive from your system.
  2. Ensure you have a stable internet connection before downloading the file again.
  3. Use a trusted source to download the file to avoid downloading incomplete or corrupted versions.

Using a download manager like IDM (Internet Download Manager) can help ensure that large files are downloaded properly without corruption.

Once you’ve redownloaded the file, try extracting it again using WinRAR.

Fix 2: Use a Different Extraction Tool

WinRAR may not always be able to extract certain file formats, especially if the archive is compressed in an unusual or less common format. In such cases, using a different extraction tool could help.

WinRAR Alternative Tools:

  • 7-Zip: This open-source software supports a wide range of formats, including some that WinRAR might not.
  • PeaZip: Another powerful tool that handles various archive formats.
  • Universal Extractor: A versatile extraction tool that can handle multiple file types.

After installing one of these tools, attempt to extract the file again.

Fix 3: Repair the Archive Using WinRAR’s Built-in Repair Tool

If the archive is corrupt but still somewhat readable, WinRAR has a built-in repair feature that can sometimes fix minor issues with corrupted files.

Steps to Repair the Archive with WinRAR:

  1. Open WinRAR.
  2. Navigate to the folder containing the corrupted archive.
  3. Select the archive file.
  4. Click on the Tools menu at the top.
  5. SelectRepair Archive from the dropdown.
  6. Choose the location where you want to save the repaired file.
  7. Wait for WinRAR to complete the repair process.

After the repair, try extracting the new repaired file.

Fix 4: Check for File Extension Mismatch

Sometimes, the file extension may be incorrect, and WinRAR won’t recognize the file as a valid archive. For example, if a file should be a `.rar` file but is named as `.zip`, it could cause the "No Archives Found" error.

Steps to Fix File Extension Mismatch:

  1. Right-click on the file and select Properties.
  2. Check the file extension (the part after the period in the file name).
  3. Compare it with the actual format. If you know the file is a RAR archive but the extension shows as `.zip` or something else, change it manually to `.rar` or the correct extension.
  4. ClickApply and try to extract the file again.
Alternatively, also try the .zip trick:
  1. Rename the archive ending with .zip,
  2. Open that file with Windows Explorer,
  3. Copy all the files and folders from there and paste them on Desktop in a separate folder,
  4. That it! You have all the extracted folders of that file.

Fix 5: Try Extracting the File in Parts (For Multi-Part Archives)

If you’re dealing with a multi-part archive (e.g., part1.rar, part2.rar, etc.) and one part is missing or corrupted, you may see the "No Archives Found" error. In such cases, you need to ensure all parts of the archive are downloaded and intact.

Steps for Extracting Multi-Part Archives:

  1. Make sure you have all parts of the archive in the same folder.
  2. Open the first part of the archive (usually named `part1.rar` or similar).
  3. WinRAR should automatically detect and merge all parts.
  4. Extract the files and ensure that no part of the archive is missing or corrupted.

If one part is damaged, try redownloading only the affected part.

What Causes the "WinRAR No Archives Found" Error?

The "No Archives Found" error occurs when WinRAR is unable to detect or recognize the archive format of the file you’re trying to extract. There are several reasons why this may happen, including:

  1. Corrupt Archive File: The file you’re attempting to extract might be damaged or incomplete, making it unreadable by WinRAR.
  2. Unsupported Archive Format: WinRAR might not support the format of the file. Though WinRAR handles many formats (e.g., ZIP, RAR, 7z), there are some less common formats it may not support.
  3. Incorrect File Extension: The file might have an incorrect or missing file extension, which can confuse WinRAR during the extraction process.
  4. Partially Downloaded Files: If the archive was downloaded but the download was interrupted, it could result in a corrupted or incomplete file.
  5. Hard Disk or Storage Device Issues: A malfunctioning storage device can cause issues when reading files, leading to extraction errors..

Ad