4 Free Methods to Repair Corrupted Video Files Safely and Easily

ByJack

There are several free methods to fix corrupted video files. In this post, we will be mentioning 4 free methods that can help you repair corrupted video files safely and easily. However, before moving further, let’s analyze and understand the reasons for corruption in video files.

Reasons for Corruption in Video Files

It is always better to address the root cause of the problem before seeking a solution. This goes true when trying to fix corrupted video files too. Here a few reasons why your videos may get corrupted and refuse to play.

  • Malware infection in the device/drive where the video is stored. 
  • Corruption of the video header can stop your computer from playing the video properly.
  • Interruption in the power supply during the video recording.
  • Errors in data reading and writing while playing and editing a video.
  • Unstable internet connection whiledownloading the file.

Methods to Repair the Corrupted Video File Easily and Effectively

You can follow the below-mentioned methods to repair corrupt video files and make them playable.

  • Convert the Files: Incompatibility with the media player is one of the common causes for non-playable videos. You can try to convert the video (MP4 and MOV) files to a compatible format by using the VLC media player.Follow these steps:
    • Start the VLC player, click on Media, and select Convert or Save.
  • Click on Add to choose the video.
  • Click on Convert/Save to convert videos.
    • Choose the Source and Destination File to save the file and click on Start.

In this process, the videos undergo transcoding, which improves their possibility of playing on media players that cannot generally play these videos.

Note: This method will work only when you want to repair MOV and MP4 files that are not supported by media players.

  • Repair Unsupported File by Changing the File Extension: This is probably one of the easiest solutions to repair the corrupted video file. Follow these steps to repair the corrupted MOV and MP4 video files:
    • Create a copy of the MOV and MP4 file you want to repair and save it with the AVI file extension.
    • Start the VLC player, select the Tools tab, and then Preferences.
    • The Preferences section will open.Choose Input/Codecs.
  • Browse and add a new Default Optical Device.
    • Click on Damaged or Incomplete AVI File and choose Always Fix from the dropdown list.
  • Click on Save.
    • Then, follow the steps of the first method.
  • Check and Fix Various Windows Issues: Incompatibility with the VLC player isn’t the only issue. The corruption may also occur due to Windows system errors. Here are some fixes you can try to resolve the issues.

    Fix Hardware Changes: Hardware issues in your computer can be one of the reasons for corrupted videos. The following steps will help you fix it.
    • Open the Device Manager by pressing Widows + X.
    • Opt for the Action tab and then choose Scan for Hardware Change.
    • Once this is completed, try playing the video again. 

Check and Install Updates: Pending updates can be one of the reasons for poor video quality, such as lagging videos. Here are the steps for installing Windows updates.

  • Type Check for Updates in the Windows search box.
    • The list will appear, then double click on Check for Updates in it.
    • Click on Download and Install,if you see any new updates to be installed. 
    • Restart your PC after the installation completes. Next, try to play the videos to check if the issue is resolved.
  • Use a Reliable Video Repair Tool: This is one of the effective ways to repair the corrupted video files. Nowadays, you may see different software applications that can help repair broken, corrupted, and incompatible videos. So, it is recommended to see their product videos carefully before making the decision. Some video repair tools are available for free download.So, you can download them and check yourselves. However, the free versions may have limited options.You can check the brochure or other marketing literature for more details.

How to Choose the Right Video Repair Tool?

Today, most professionals working with or on videos may prefer video repair tools over other free options. With such a huge variety of these tools available, making the right selection can be tedious. Here are some tips that will ease the selection process for you.

  • File Formats Supported: Although MP4 and MOV are two common video formats, other formats like MKV and AVI are popular too. Check if the video repair tool supports file formats that you may use regularly or sparingly or come across in future. Many video repair tools can support up to 20 video formats.
  • Repairs Videos Shot on Various Devices: Many free and paid video repair tools in the market have limitations when it comes to repairing videos shot on different camera brands or devices. So, check the camera brands supported by the tool and also ensure if the tool can repair videos shot on camcorders, drones, iPhone, android phones, and so on.
  • Compatibility with your Computer: There are video repair tools designed solely for Windows or Mac. However, if you wish to use the tool on both systems, then select the one that is compatible with both systems.
  • Types of Video Corruption Issues Solved by the Tool: You may face several video corruption issues at a time. The videos may show error messages or may look grainy, jerky, blurry, frozen, etc. You need to check if the tool under consideration can address and resolve these issues effectively.

Conclusion

Repairing corrupted video files can be challenging. You choose the methods mentioned in this post to repair your corrupted video files. If manual methods do not work, you can always choose a reliable video repair tool for the purpose. By using a video repair tool, you can easily restore videos to their original form with minimal effort.

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