2 Ways to Fix Damaged / Corrupt Videos

It's rare to find an app that can repair corrupted MP4 videos. Luckily, we found two tools that can fix corrupted videos for free.

Are you having trouble playing the video file? Whether you shoot videos on your phone or on a standard video camera, playback can sometimes be a problem. Often, it's just a case of installing the proper video codex, but what if the video file doesn't work? In this article, We will explain how to fix corrupted videos.

How to Fix Corrupted Videos

If you are having problems with corrupted MP4 video files. Maybe the first thing you guys do is transfer it to your PC and try it there.

There are not too many applications for repairing damaged videos. They are not pre-installed on Windows or any other operating system and are not included with video editing tools. The reason is simple, fixing videos is not easy. Moreover, fixing it without any software, it will be very difficult and the possibility that the video can be repaired is very small.

Because of this, admins usually tend to remove videos that are no longer working. Then what applications are available to help repair damaged videos? You should try these two powerful apps:

* VLC Player is the best media player for most operating systems

* Video Repair from Grau GmbH for Windows

Of the two applications, if you are repairing videos on Windows, it is worth considering Video Repair. The trial has a cut-off point, meaning only the first 50 percent is repaired. But before that let's try using a simpler solution.

How To Repair Corrupted Videos With VLC

VLC Player is a very versatile application that can play only partially downloaded video files. If you find that impressive, you should check out the other amazing features of VLC Media Player.

Thus, it is ideal for trying to play corrupted videos. If it doesn't play successfully, don't worry, because you might be able to convert it to a file format that works.

First, download VLC Player using the link above and install it. Run the application and open the Media menu. Select Convert/Save then Add and find the damaged video file.

Next, click the Convert/Save button then Convert and select Profile from the dropdown menu. Click the Edit Selected Profile button then name your output file. When finished, click Start.

If VLC can repair your video file, it will create a new file that can be watched.

How to Repair Damaged Videos With Video Repair

First, download Video Repair then install the application. Next, make sure you have corrupted MP4s and similar files, recorded with the same camera and app. It must also be from the same subject, as it will be used as a reference.

Run the application and select your language, then browse for the corrupted video file in the Choose movie box. Next, select a reference file in Choose reference movie. MP4 and MOV files are compatible with this app. Click Scan to repair damaged MP4s.

How to Repair Damaged Videos With Video Repair

If successful, Video Repair will provide a list of fixes used to make the movie viewable. But if no repair list is provided, Video Repair cannot fix your video.

Duplicate Videos And Repair MP4 With Video Repair

Still using the Video Repair application, it's just that there are additional steps. As YouTube user R3DLIN3S points out, Video Repair can be done to repair the entire video. The idea is simple, we have to create a video file that is double the length, and still convert only 50 percent of it. Since we are duplicating the long video, the converted file is the entire original file. But how do we do this?

Duplicate Videos

Create a new folder (probably labeled “Corrupt Files”) and move the damaged files into it. Copy the file so you have two identical corrupted MP4s. This may take a while for larger files.

After copying, rename it, preferably using sequential names, such as VID1 and VID2.

Command Merge Two Files Into One MP4

Next, open a command prompt. Press Win + R and enter cmd then click OK. Use cd to navigate to the Corrupt Files directory and enter the following:

copy/b VID1.mp4+VID2.mp4

This command combines the two files into one MP4, instead of the first file. You have to wait a while, but eventually, VID1.mp4 and VID2.mp4 will merge into VID1.mp4.

Confirm this by checking the size of the VID1.mp4 file. If it's now twice as long, repeat the same steps when you were using the Video Repair app, as shown above.

Conclusion

So that's how to fix corrupted/damaged videos. Corrupted video files are frustrating. If VLC works for you, then great. If not, you can use another solution to completely repair damaged MP4 files, namely by using Video Repair. If that still doesn't work, maybe your video is really damaged and can't be repaired anymore.