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MP4 is a widely used video file format, mainly known for its versatility and compatibility across multiple devices and platforms. However, like other video files, MP4 videos are susceptible to corruption and become unplayable on your device. MP4 videos usually get corrupted due to factors like file transfer errors, incomplete downloads, improper handling, system crashes, etc.
Luckily, there are several MP4 repair methods and tools available that you can use to repair your corrupt or damaged video files. These methods will help you repair corrupted MP4 video files and restore them to a playable state. Here, in this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some commonly used methods and a great trick to repair MP4 files and restore valuable media content.
Identifying the Exact Cause of MP4 Video Corruption
Before you apply any method to repair an MP4 file, it is important to understand the exact cause of your video corruption. Common reasons why MP4 videos get corrupted are:
- File transfer errors or interruptions while downloading/transferring videos.
- Incomplete downloads or partial file transfer between devices.
- Software or hardware issues like system crashes or power failures while recording or editing videos.
- Malicious software, such as malware or viruses, may affect the integrity of MP4 files and lead to their corruption or deletion.
- Incompatibility or codec issues cause improper video playback or corruption.
Quick Methods to Repair Corrupted MP4 Video Files
Identifying the exact cause of your MP4 corruption helps you find the precise video repair method to fix it. In this part of the blog, we will discuss some commonly used MP4 repair methods, both manually or using third-party video repair tool, which you can use to try to restore the original video file. Just go with the below-mentioned methods one by one to repair corrupt MP4 videos:
Method 01: Fix Corrupt MP4 Videos using VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player, a popular open-source multimedia player, allows you to repair your corrupt or damaged video files in multiple ways. It provides an in-built index repair feature that allows you to instantly repair an MP4 file by fixing its file indexes. Firstly, you need to convert your video from the original file format to .avi and then utilize the built-in option of VLC player to fix AVI video files. All you have to do is:
- Right-click on your corrupt MP4 file, select Rename, and then change the file format to .avi. Hit the Enter button to save the changes.
- Launch VLC Media Player, click on Tools, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Input/Codecs section and scroll down to the Files section.
- Select the “Always Fix” option next to the “Damaged or incomplete AVI file” option and click Save.
Once you are done with the above steps, try playing your corrupt video and check if it is playing.
Method 02: Transcode Corrupt MP4 Video in VLC Player
Along with the above steps to repair the MP4 file via VLC media player, you can try transcoding it. Transcoding not only allows you to easily convert your MP4 videos into different formats such as AVI, MKV, or MOV but also enables you to adapt your video to specific playback or editing requirements.
Go through the below-given steps to repair corrupted MP4 video files by transcoding them in the VLC player:
- Launch the VLC player, go to the Media tab, and from the menu bar, select “Convert/Save.”
- Now, click Add and upload the corrupt MP4 video that you need to repair.
- Click the Convert/Save button and select a suitable file name and the desired file location in the Convert window. Also, select a preferred input codec from the Profile list of your video file.
- Then, tap the Edit Selected Profile button to configure the profile settings for a specific profile. After that, you can create new profiles or delete existing profiles and then click the “Start” button.
- After completing the above steps, restart your system and play MP4 videos in VLC.
Method 03: Increase Cache Value in VLC Player
Another MP4 repair method using a VLC media player is by increasing the Cache value of your corrupt video file. This method can fix corrupt/damaged MP4 files, video lags, and stutters associated with the files in a few simple clicks. For this:
- Open VLC Media Player and click on Tools.
- Go to Preferences and from the Simple and All options in the Show Settings section, select All.
- Now, tap on the Input/Codec option and choose “Advanced”.
- In the Advanced section, change the cache value next to File caching (ms) from 300 to 1000 or more.
- Once done, click Save and restart the VLC player.
Method 04: Use a Professional Third-Party Video Repair Software
Instances may occur when the video mentioned above video repair methods to repair your corrupt videos using VLC Media Player fail. In such cases, you can use this great trick, i.e., a third-party video repair tool, to fix your damaged videos.
Whether your video is corrupted due to sudden interruption during video transfer, sudden power outages, virus or malware attacks, etc., the Stellar Repair for Video tool will be the best option. This all-in-one video repair software can repair your corrupt videos stored on any internal or external storage drive, such as HDDs, SSDs, USB Drives, etc.
Here’s how to repair corrupted MP4 video files using this great trick in a few simple clicks:
Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Repair for Video tool on your device. Launch the software, and from the homepage, click the Add Videos button to upload the MP4 video that you need to repair.
Step 2: Click the Repair button to start the repair process and wait till it is completed.
Step 3: After completion of the repair task, click Save Repaired Files to save repaired videos at the desired location.
Preventive Measures to Avoid MP4 Corruption
Now that you are familiar with the reasons for your video corruption and appropriate MP4 repair methods to fix them, it’s time to learn some tips to avoid such issues. You can implement the following preventive measures to prevent or reduce the risk of MP4 video file corruption in the future:
- Make sure you have a reliable internet connection and use reputable sources for downloading or streaming videos.
- Create regular backups of your important MP4 video files to prevent data loss in case of corruption.
- Use quality storage media and avoid physical damage by storing your videos across multiple platforms.
- Ensure your video editing software and multimedia players are up to date to prevent compatibility issues.
- Install reliable antivirus software to regularly scan your device for malware or viruses that may affect your MP4 files and lead to their corruption or deletion.
Conclusion
Having a corrupt MP4 video file can be a distressful experience, but with the above tips and tricks, you can easily repair your corrupt memories. Whether your video is corrupted due to file transfer errors, incomplete downloads, or software issues, the methods mentioned above will help you fix the MP4 video file corruption issues. Start by using VLC Media Player and then try any third-party video repair software to restore your valuable media content to a playable state. Additionally, create a proper backup of your important video files to help with data corruption or data loss issues.