PDF not readable? Why Mujib could not read your file
If your file shows Failed, was refused, or is Ready but never used, the PDF is most likely not readable: it is images rather than text, its font is damaged, or it is too long to read in full. The reason is written under the file; the usual fix is a Word or text version.
Mujib reads only the text in a file, then splits it into chunks that reach the agent. So the question is always: does the file contain text you can copy?
Why wasn’t the file read?
Section titled “Why wasn’t the file read?”A file gets stuck at one of three moments, and each has its own sign:
| Moment | What you see | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| At upload | An error message right away, and the file is not in the list | The file was refused before it was read |
| After upload | The file is Failed with the reason under it | Mujib found no usable text in the file |
| Once ready | The file is Ready, but the agent does not answer from it | The text was read, but it does not reach the agent or does not read as you wrote it |
What does the reason under the file mean?
Section titled “What does the reason under the file mean?”These are the reasons that appear under the file or in the upload message, with the fix for each:
| Reason as shown | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No readable text found in the file | Usually a scanned file, or one saved as images | Upload the original as Word, or a PDF you can copy text from |
| Part of the text came out as unreadable characters | The file’s font is damaged, so the text comes out as symbols | Upload it as Word (.docx) or plain text |
| The file holds more text than can be read in full | The file is too long | Split it into smaller files and upload them one by one |
| This text encoding is not supported | A text or CSV file saved in another encoding | Save it as UTF-8 and upload it again |
| Reading took too long | The file is large or complex | Split it into smaller files, or try again |
| The file could not be read; it may be damaged or password-protected | A damaged or locked file | Remove the password, or save a clean copy and upload that |
Why was the file refused at upload?
Section titled “Why was the file refused at upload?”A file is refused before it is read for one of these reasons, and the message tells you which:
- The type is not accepted: Mujib accepts PDF, DOCX, XLSX, XLS, CSV, TXT and MD only. Old Word files with the DOC extension, images and ZIP files are not accepted.
- The file is too large: the limit is 15 MB per file. Split it, or remove the images from it.
- Another file is being read: Mujib reads one file at a time for your business. Wait for it to finish, then try again.
- You reached today’s upload limit: your current files are kept, and you can carry on later.
- The file space is full: your knowledge holds up to 50 files, 250 MB in total. Delete an old file, then try again.
The file is “ready”, so why doesn’t the agent use it?
Section titled “The file is “ready”, so why doesn’t the agent use it?”Because the agent does not read the whole file with every reply, only the chunks closest to the customer’s question. Check the chunks themselves:
- Open Knowledge, then the Products tab. The file’s chunks are there, each titled with the file name and its number.
- Open a chunk that holds the information you are after, and read its text. If it is broken up or out of order, correct it in the chunk itself, or write the information as a separate entry.
- If the information sits in an image inside the file, it is not in the chunks at all. Write it as an entry, or upload the image to the media library so the agent can send it to the customer.
- If you uploaded two versions of the same file, both are in your knowledge. Delete the old one from the Documents tab.
- If the file still shows Processing after you refresh the page, delete it and upload it again.
Then ask the agent from another phone, and press Why this reply? under its reply to see whether it used a chunk from the file. Details in AI agent wrong answer.
How do I make a file easy for the agent to read?
Section titled “How do I make a file easy for the agent to read?”Write the file as short answers, not as a designed brochure:
- Upload the original: if you have the Word or Excel file the PDF was made from, upload that.
- Price lists and tables: upload them as Excel or CSV, and they are read row by row.
- Clear headings and short paragraphs: keep each paragraph to one topic, and give the service and its details together, because each chunk reaches the agent on its own.
- Essentials in your knowledge, not in a file: prices, hours and addresses belong in entries or on their own pages, so they reach the agent reliably. See Knowledge base.
When should I contact the Mujib team?
Section titled “When should I contact the Mujib team?”When a Word or text file that opens on your computer, and whose text you can copy, still fails.
- Write to
abdalrahman@mujib.ai, or use Report a problem in your account menu. - Attach the file if you can, and include the reason shown under it.
Frequently asked questions
Can Mujib read a scanned PDF?
No. A scanned file is images, not text, so Mujib finds nothing to read. Upload the original file it was made from, or type its information as knowledge entries.
Does Mujib read images and tables inside the file?
It does not read images or text drawn on an image. Tables written as text are read as text and may lose their layout, so a table is better uploaded as an Excel or CSV file.
Why was my old Word file refused?
Word files with the DOC extension are not accepted. Open the file, save it as DOCX, and upload it again.
Can I upload more than one file at a time?
No. Mujib reads one file at a time for your business, so wait for one to finish before uploading the next.
If I delete a file, does the agent stop using it?
Yes. Deleting a file deletes all its chunks, and the agent stops using them from its next reply.