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How to Repair Corrupted MP4 and Video Files in Windows?

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How to Repair Corrupted MP4 Files in Windows

Digital video files, mainly the commonly used MP4 format, have become an important part of our multimedia-rich lives. However, sometimes you may encounter situations when these videos get corrupted or become unplayable on your Windows devices. Such issues can be frustrating and disappointing but don’t lose hope.

There are several reasons like abrupt system shutdowns, software issues, problems during the file transfer process, etc. why video files get corrupted. Luckily, Windows users have several effective methods to repair MP4. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various techniques and tools to help you learn how to repair corrupted MP4 and video files in Windows OS devices.

What Causes Video File Corruption?

Before delving into MP4 repair methods to fix your corrupt video files, it is important to find the common causes of video file corruption. Some of the common reasons include:

  • Abrupt System Shutdowns: Sudden power outages or system crashes while recording video or playback can cause file corruption, making the video files unplayable.
  • Software Issues: There may be problems with the video editing software, media players, or codecs installed on your device, which can cause file corruption.
  • File Transfer Errors: Issues during the copying or transferring of video files between devices can lead to corruption.
  • Virus and Malware: Malicious software programs, like viruses or malware, can infect video files, causing corruption or making them unplayable.

Quick Video Repair Methods to Repair Corrupted MP4 and Video Files

Now, let’s explore the step-by-step video repair methods to fix corrupted MP4 and video files in Windows devices:

Method 01: Transcode Corrupt Video Using VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a popular open-source multimedia player which offers several options to fix corrupt or damaged video files. If your MP4 or other video file is unplayable due to incompatible or missing codecs, you can try transcoding your corrupt video in VLC player to fix it. Go through the following steps to learn how to repair corrupted MP4 and video files in Windows by Transcoding them in VLC media player:

  • Firstly, check if you have VLC installed on your Windows device. If not, you can download and install it from the official website (videolan.org).
  • Launch VLC Media Player, click the Media tab, and then choose Convert/Save.
  • Click on Add to upload the MP4/MOV video that you need to transcode.

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  • Again click Convert/Save and add folder location next to the Destination file option.
  • Now, select the desired input codec from the Profile list. Also, hit the Edit Selected Profile button to configure specified profile settings.

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  • Lastly, click the Start button in the Convert window and wait till the process is completed.

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Method 02: Utilize Video Repair Software

There are several video repair tool available, but we recommend using the Stellar Repair for Video tool. This software offers a user-friendly interface and an advanced repair algorithm to fix corrupt videos.

You can use Stellar Repair for Video tool to fix videos corrupted due to multiple reasons, including sudden crashes, improper storing, incompatible format, etc. You can use this tool to repair videos of multiple formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and many more. Even this video repair tool supports repairing corrupt videos from any internal/external storage drive, including flash drives, SD cards, USB Drives, etc.

Go through the following steps to know how to repair corrupted MP4 and video files in Windows using the Stellar Repair for Video tool:

Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Repair for Video tool on your Windows device. Launch the software and click the Add File button to upload the corrupt video that you need to repair.

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Step 2: Then, click the Repair button and wait till the repairing process is completed.

Step 3: Once the repair process is complete, preview the repaired video files. Click the Save Repaired Files button to save the repaired videos at your chosen location.

Method 03: Increase Cache Value in VLC Player

Another video repair method using VLC media player is by increasing the Cache value of the corrupt video. Cache value in video refers to preloaded data for smoother playback. To repair corrupt video files using VLC player, you need to:

  • Firstly, launch VLC Player and go to Tools, click Preferences.

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  • Now, select All from the Show Settings section.

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  • Select Input/Codecs from the list and scroll down to the Advanced section on the right pane.

  • In the Advanced section, change the cache value next to File caching (ms) from 300 to anything above 1000.

  • Lastly, click Save to conclude the process. Restart the VLC player and check if you can play that corrupt video file.

Method 04: Use FFmpeg for Command-Line Repair

FFmpeg is a powerful command-line video repair tool which allows you to repair corrupt video files. For this:

  • Download the FFmpeg executable from the official website and save it on a secure location of your Windows device.
  • Press the Windows + R keys, type CMD in the Run prompt and press the Enter key to launch Command Prompt.
  • Use the cd command to go to the directory where FFmpeg is located. Type the following command in the CMD window and press the Enter key:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c copy output.mp4 (Replace “input.mp4” with your corrupt video name and “output.mp4” with the desired output name).

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Tips to Prevent Videos from Corruption

The above video repair methods will help you to repair the corrupt MP4 and other video files on Windows devices, but it is important to avoid such corruption issues from your end. Here are certain preventive measures that you can consider to prevent your videos from getting corrupted:

  • Regular Backups: You should create backups of important video files to safeguard against unexpected corruption or loss.
  • Ensure Stable Power Supply: Make sure your device is properly connected to a reliable power source to prevent abrupt shutdowns.
  • Update Software: Keep the video editing software and media players up-to-date to avoid the risk of compatibility issues leading to corruption.
  • Regular System Maintenance: Perform routine system maintenance, including disk checks, to fix potential issues that can corrupt stored files and folders.

Conclusion

Having a corrupted MP4 or video file can be frustrating, but with the above-mentioned video repair methods, you can often restore your precious memories and important recordings. Whether you try using free options like VLC and FFmpeg or choose a specialized video repair tool, the key is to act promptly and select the video repairing method that best suits your technical comfort level. Additionally, having regular backups is a proactive measure to prevent your videos against unexpected file corruption.

Kossi Adzo is the editor and author of Startup.info. He is software engineer. Innovation, Businesses and companies are his passion. He filled several patents in IT & Communication technologies. He manages the technical operations at Startup.info.

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