Accessibility PAC 3.0 checker errors during the process of checking pdf data

Hi Sanjit,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing the details. I'm sorry for the delayed response. I hope you have already found an answer.
As the expert already suggested, the error message in PAC 2024 — “Operator ‘f’ not allowed in this current state”—typically points to corruption or structural issues in the PDF's content stream, often related to how text or fills are applied in the PDF’s low-level PostScript-like structure.

Here’s what we understand so far:

• The issue persists despite using Preflight, font adjustments, and optimization.

• The document renders fine in browsers, but fails PAC 2024 checks.

• The files are used on a live site (https://adobe.ly/4e4U2st), indicating the need for standards-compliant accessibility.

 Recommended Steps:

1. Use “Preflight > PDF/A validation” (instead of optimization alone)

   Try validating the PDF against PDF/A-2b or PDF/A-3b standards using Acrobat Pro’s Preflight tool. This can sometimes highlight underlying stream issues and guide toward corrective actions.

2. Regenerate the PDF with a known-good export tool

   If possible, regenerate the PDF from the source (e.g., Word, InDesign, or ERP tool) using the “Adobe PDF” printer or Acrobat plug-in, rather than a third-party tool. Some generators insert non-standard or malformed operators.

3. Run a PostScript Syntax Check

   If you’re familiar with command-line tools, Ghostscript or Adobe’s PDF Syntax Checker may reveal malformed objects or operators that Preflight skips.

4. Use MakeAccessible Wizard in Acrobat Pro

   This tool can help rebuild tags and structure, which may help avoid certain validation errors in PAC.

5. Consider flattening non-critical layers

   In some cases, complex layering or transparency can cause content stream errors. Try saving a copy using File > Save As Other > Optimized PDF, and enable:

   • “Discard user data”

   • “Clean up structure.”

   • “Flatten transparency” (if visually safe)

    

If the issue continues, we’d recommend sharing a sample file (with sensitive info redacted) so we can analyze the stream more deeply.

Let us know how it goes.