RAR files appearing password protected when they aren’t
January 28th, 2020
But I’ve had a weird issue that has come up intermittently, but I’m hit badly by at present – many rar files are failing to open, showing as Password protected in JDownloader when I know for a fact they are not protected at all. I’m at a loss, especially as the problem usually only comes up occasionally, and doesn’t seem to affect all rar files even then.
Mostly the files are downloaded using (up to date, I believe) JDownloader, from Real-Debrid. Many are TV torrents which RD downloads then compresses into rar files and provides a premium link. It usually works well and they don’t put in a password; it would be against their interest; they can provide the same link to others if they request the same torrent while the link remains live. If that were my only method I might suspect an error with RD, but I also get films here, in multi-part rar files, unrestricted again via RD. JDownloader is fine with you providing any needed passwords, and usually extracts them perfectly. Now, as has happened a couple of times over a few months, most, yet not all, rar files are failing to extract. JDownloader first shows them as being password protected as soon as download is complete, tries to crack or use a listed password, fails because there shouldn’t BE a password, and I’m left with an rar file, which I may have taken days to get, that I can’t extract.
I’ve tried downloading 7-zip. That too fails to extract them, but I don’t know why – it flashes up a message for a split second which then disappears before I can read anything. This may be to do with other issues with the computer, as I’ve experienced similar problems with other programs.
My info on the tech of this laptop is limited, and it isn’t too helpful in displaying info (plus I’ve never used Windows 8 before), and I really don’t want to tinker too much with my friend’s computer.
I’ve never encountered this “phantom rar password”, and really am not sure what to suspect. I have long considered JDownloader, but if 7-zip isn’t working for me, I’m kind of relying on JD to handle my extractions. I’d raise the issue on the JDownloader forum, but they aren’t too indulgent with people who can supply little information. And as no one else has reported an issue, it does seem more likely to be at my end.
It seems to mostly affect files over a gig or so, yet I’m still getting the odd file of several gigs which still extract OK. Were it simply my system, why would the problem only pop up occasionally (although it seems fairly persistent at present)? And why only affect some rar’s but not all? I’ve tried deleting files, and re-downloading them from refreshed links but once extraction has filed, it seems to always fail.
If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions about where I should be looking at, and how, or suggest any alternative workarounds, I’d be most grateful.
Thanks for reading!
are you getting this:
I get an error like "CRC failed in the encrypted file (wrong password ?)"!
RAR cannot distinguish a corrupt file and wrong password. If it were possible, it
would make encryption weaker. Therefore, such a message may indicate both a wrong
password and a corrupt file.
Most likely it is not a password problem, but a download that was corrupt.
Open Winrar, select “commands” drop down list , “test archived files” to find out what file/files are giving you this error.
If you identified the problem link do one or more of the following:
1-“winrar repair” the specific file
2-RE-Download the problem link and that should fix your problem.
you have updated WinRAR installed?
Uninstalling WinRAR 5.10b4 and installing 5.01 Final solved the problem, Thanks again tooth.
I’ve been doing this for a while BUT this has me stomped….. and i would really appreciate some help if anybody’s got any ideas ???WHEN i try and unrar it says that either there is a corrupt file or incorrect password….
I have compared the hashes using hash tab and everything matches up perfect…
And i have tried the password several times using cut & paste and typing it in manually ” tooth “…. ( and yes i checked Caps lock isn’t on ) I have even re-downloaded several parts again ( 1,2,3 & 6 ) YET nothing seems to work….PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP
PROBLEM IS FIXED SOMEHOW>>> I DELETED AND REINSTALLED WINRAR…. Then bang it was fine WTF
HI i ,I ran the checksum checks on all of the files and they are fine. I switched from WinRAR to 7zip and was able to extract with no problems. I have no idea what WinRAR apparently did wrong but everything is working now. Thanks!
EvilNecroid wrote: Select all
I have same problem and its driving me nuts!
I don't wanna have to redownload again
EvilNecroid wrote: Select all
um ok weird I used 7zip and ta da it works
Azreth wrote: Select all
Well I should had seen that coming… Never would have guess it was WinrRAR acting up. Thanks for saving me the time trying to re-download all the files again. Keep up the good work thanks. As suggested I downgraded from WinRAR 5.03b to 5.01final solved any extraction issues.
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