How to Recover A Corrupt Video File in 4 Quick Ways

What causes a corrupted video file?

A video file can become corrupted for various reasons, ranging from technical issues during recording or transfer to software malfunctions. Below are the common causes:

1. Interrupted file transfer

When transferring video files between devices or storage media, interruptions like sudden power loss, ejecting the device prematurely, or connectivity issues can result in incomplete or damaged files.

2. Faulty storage devices

Bad sectors on hard drives, memory cards, or USB drives can corrupt video files stored on these devices. Aging storage media or improper handling can also contribute to this problem.

3. Sudden system shutdown

Unexpected power outages or forced shutdowns during video recording, editing, or saving can lead to incomplete file writes, resulting in corruption.

4. Virus or malware

Malicious software can damage video files, either by directly altering them or affecting the system processes handling these files.

5. Overwritten files

Saving a new video over an existing one without proper handling can overwrite essential data, making the video file corrupted.

6. Incompatible file formats

Using a video file with unsupported media players or editing software can sometimes cause damage, especially if the software tries to modify the file inappropriately.

How to recover a corrupt video file with 4 ways

When your video file becomes corrupted, it can be frustrating, especially if it contains important memories or work-related content. Fortunately, there are several ways to recover a corrupt video file and restore it to its original state. In this article, we'll explore four methods you can use to fix corrupted video files.

Method 1. Check if the file is truly corrupt

Before diving into complex recovery methods, it's essential to determine whether the file is truly corrupt. Here’s what you can do:

1. Try to open the file in different media players

Sometimes, a video may appear corrupt but could simply be incompatible with the media player you are using. Try opening the video in different players like Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or VLC Media Player.

2. Test on another device

Play the video file on a different device to see if the issue persists. If the file works fine on another device, the problem may be with your current system.

3. Verify the file size

Check the file size to ensure that it is not unusually small, as this could indicate incomplete download or transfer. A proper video file should have a reasonable size based on its length and resolution.

If the file doesn’t open or the playback is distorted, then the file is likely corrupt.

Method 2. Use VLC Media Player’s built-In repair tool

VLC Media Player has a built-in feature to repair corrupt video files, especially for AVI formats. Here’s how you can use it:

Step 1. Download and install VLC if you haven't already.

Step 2. In VLC, click on the "Media" menu in the top-left corner and select "Convert/Save".

Step 3. Click on the “Add” button and browse to select the corrupt video file.

Step 4. Click on the "Convert/Save" button and select the appropriate output format for the video. For AVI files, choose “Convert to AVI”.

Step 5. Once the file is added, VLC will attempt to repair the file during the conversion process. If the file is repairable, it will save as a new file in the chosen format.

Method 3. Recover video file with a data recovery tool

When dealing with corrupt video files, whether due to accidental deletion, storage device failures, or software issues, recovery can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, AOMEI FastRecovery offers an effective solution for users facing such problems. This powerful data recovery tool specializes in recovering lost or damaged files, including video files, by utilizing advanced algorithms to restore their integrity.

AOMEI FastRecovery helps users recover video files in several formats, such as MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, and others, even when they become unreadable, incomplete, or corrupted. The software provides a user-friendly interface and employs reliable scanning methods to recover lost video content, ensuring a high success rate for file restoration. Whether you’ve encountered file corruption due to an unexpected shutdown, a virus attack, or damaged storage media, AOMEI FastRecovery can guide you through the process of recovery with ease.

In the following sections, we’ll explore how AOMEI FastRecovery works and how to use it effectively to recover corrupt video files.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool starts to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.

Method 4. Restore from Backups

If you've been proactive and have backups of your video files, restoring from a backup is often the quickest way to fix a corrupt video.

Step 1. Look for backup files on your cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) or external drives. Make sure the backup version of the video is not corrupt.

Step 2. Download or copy the backup version of the file to your computer. This will replace the corrupt file with a working copy.

Step 3. If you regularly use automated backup services, check their interface to restore the file to its original location.

Conclusion

Corrupted video files can result from interrupted transfers, faulty storage, or sudden shutdowns. To recover them, first, test the file on different players or devices to confirm the issue. Use VLC Media Player’s repair tool for minor fixes or advanced recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery for complex corruption. If backups are available, restoring from them is the easiest solution.