In this era of social media, the MP4 video format is widely used due to its versatility and compatibility. However, these digital files aren’t immune to corruption, resulting in the loss of valuable content. Fortunately, several online and desktop tools exist to repair corrupted videos for free. Whether it’s your personal memories or professional projects, you can fix video files without paying a penny.
To do so, you must read this guide about how to do video repair and common causes. Here, you will find the top four methods to repair videos via online and offline software, helping you choose one and proceed seamlessly.
- Casual Users: Choose VLC for quick, simple conversions.
- Content Creators: Opt for UniConverter's all-in-one editing & AI tools.
- Quality Archivists: Use HandBrake for superior, granular compression.
- Technical Professionals: Select FFmpeg for command-line precision & control.
- Data Recovery: Rely on CleverFiles (Disk Drill) to recover lost files.
In this article
Method 1. Fix Video Online Free with CleverFiles
The first solution, Video Repair by CleverFiles is an online video fixer. Try this online MP4 repairer, which does not recode the file but searches for missing frames to restore the original quality. Additionally, ISOBMFF or QTFF containers with the H.264 Codec are used in the repair process.
This online solution can even fix your file containing artifacts and distortions. To learn how it works in real-time, you must thoroughly examine the following instructions next:
Instructions. Launch the CleverFiles video repair online tool and seek the “Choose File” button. Click that button to upload your corrupted video and wait for the results, which depends on the requirements. Once you access your desired outcomes, play the video to verify the results and download it to your system.
Method 2. Repair Corrupted Videos With HandBrake
Handbrake isn't known for video repairing, but editors still use it to fix minor video corruption issues. It is an open-source transcoder for digital files that can enhance videos in various ways. Through this software, one can adjust frame rates and improve video quality via presets. Since it is a desktop tool, it has complex editing operations for newbies, so consult the following stepwise guide for video repair.
How to Fix Corrupted Videos with HandBrake:
Step 1. Launch Handbrake and access the “File” option at the left panel to import the corrupted file.
Step 2. As the file is imported, choose the output using the “Browse” button in the “Destination” section. Access the “Video” option for accessing related settings like “Quality” and “Framerates.” Set your desired settings for output video and press the “Start Encode” button. This way, your corrupted video will get repaired, enhanced, and transferred to your added location on the PC.
Method 3. Repair MP4 Video Files With VLC
For decades, the VLC Media Player has been known for playing various types of video files. However, users aren’t aware of its capability to enhance video quality and fix damaged video files. To polish your video professionally, it includes video and audio synchronization features. Thus, whether it’s your treasured family video or educational content, follow the steps ahead to begin recovery:
How to Fix MP4 Video Files with VLC:
Step 1. Open the VLC media player on your device and click the “Media” option at the top-left. From the following list, choose the “Convert/Save” option to access a new dialogue box.
Step 2. Import the corrupted video file using the “Add” button in the following menu. As the location of the file appears across the text box, use the “Convert/Save” button to proceed further.
Step 3. In the next dialog box, navigate to the “Profile” section and select a codec or format. Later, decide on an output destination on your PC through the “Browse” button under the “Destination” section. Finally, press the “Start” button and find the repaired file at your chosen location after processing.
Secure, Local Video Enhancement Tool
Method 4. Repair Corrupted MP4 Files With FFmpeg
After VLC, you can rely on FFmpeg software, a powerful command-line tool. It can fix corrupted video files effectively but is not a user-friendly solution. Regardless of this, you can encode, decode, apply filters, mux, and demux, and play videos in different formats. If you are tech-savvy, you can use this command-line tool to repair your videos, as demonstrated below:
Instructions. Download FFmpeg onto your device through its official site, which explains the process. Afterward, open your Windows PC's "Command Prompt" or Mac's “Terminal.” There, insert the following command and hit the enter key on your keyboard to begin repairing it.
Command: ffmpeg -i corrupted.mp4 -c copy repaired.mp4
Note: Users must add their actual file name at the “corrupted.mp4” location and the name of the repaired file in place of “repaired.mp4.”
Why Do Videos Get Corrupted?
Now that you know multiple ways to repair video files, you can pick one that suits you best. However, before delving into the repairing process, you must figure out the reason for file corruption. It is essential to understand the causes because it’s the only way to apply the correct and appropriate methods. Thus, review some common causes of file corruption briefly explained next:
- Sudden Power Loss: If your computer loses power during video recording or sharing, the process might be affected. It can leave the file incomplete, and users may experience issues like missing frame rates or audio.
- Software Crashes: Your software may crash during video recording or editing due to system overload or bugs. If the file is left in a partially saved state, it will become corrupt and unreadable.
- Malware Infection: Sometimes, malicious software can infect your system and corrupt video files. It can make your files inaccessible or lead to content alteration or destruction, part of a ransomware attack.
- Codec Issues: Notably, a codec is a software component that decodes and encodes video files. If it is not installed correctly and disrupts playback, your attempts to force playback can lead to file corruption.
- Improper Removal of Media: Removing a USB card or other storage device without ejecting it can cause corruption. Your operating system may still be writing data to the device, and improper removal can interrupt the process.
- Interrupted File Transfer: When the file transfer process suddenly stops due to device failure or accidental disconnection, corruption occurs. It can make your video files unreadable; sometimes, re-transferring can resolve the issue.
Bonus Tip to Enhance the Quality of a Repaired Video
After fixing corrupted MP4 files through the above methods, you may need a video enhancer to recover the impacted quality. For this purpose, let us introduce you to Wondershare UniConverter, a one-stop solution. Unlike the above complex tools, this software provides a dedicated video enhancer feature with AI capabilities.
The integration of AI streamlines the process with automation while striving for top-notch results. With your file input, it starts working on general denoising to clarify your video. Afterward, it focuses on frame interpolation for fluid motion, perfect for slow-motion videos. It also facilitates an AI upscale function that eliminates noise and blurriness from videos, all with one tap.
Best AI Video Enhancer
How to Enhance Video Quality of Repaired Files Using UniConverter?
The intelligent AI technology in UniConverter automatically detects video areas requiring enhancements. To begin this automation journey, consult the stepwise instructions below with delay:
Step 1. Access AI Video Enhance From UniConverter AI Labs
Install the innovative version of UniConverter to your device and enter its main interface. There, locate the “AI Video Enhancer” tool from the “AI Labs” since you are in the “Home” panel.
Step 2. Import Your Repaired Video File via Add Icon
As you enter the “AI Video Enhancer” window, import your repaired file using the “+ (Add)” symbol.
Step 3. Apply Quality Restoration Model and Import Output
Upon file import, select an AI model that you wish to apply, such as “Quality Restoration” Next, AI will work on your command to provide results in seconds that you save via the “Export” button.
Bonus: UniConverter has integrated Topaz video ehancer API in its video enhancement models. The integrated Topaz technology in UniConverter doesn't just upscale—it intelligently sharpens every detail and revitalizes colors, bringing faded moments back to life. Experience the difference where enhanced clarity meets true-to-life color, revealing a crispness and vibrancy you thought was lost.
Conclusion
In short, your precious moments in MP4 video files can get corrupted for several reasons. This discusses those reasons while pressing solutions and various methods in stepwise guides. You can begin your corrupt video repair journey through any previously discussed approach. However, if the repaired file loses its original quality, UniConverter’s AI video enhancer remains the only way to recover it.
AI Video Enhancement Tool for Better Quality
FAQs
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1. What are the signs that identify a video file is corrupted?
If a video file is corrupted, you may notice playback errors, freezing, distorted visuals, missing frames, or audio sync issues. Tools like MediaInfo and VideoInspector can also help detect corruption by analyzing codec and file structure problems. -
2. How do I repair a video file that shows glitches and pixelation during playback?
Videos with blurriness, artifacts, or pixelation can often be improved. Using UniConverter’s AI Video Enhancer, you can apply different AI models to reduce noise, sharpen details, and restore clarity, making the footage look crisper than before. -
3. What best practices should I follow to avoid video file corruption?
To prevent corruption, always use reliable recording and editing software, avoid interrupting file transfers or recordings, limit heavy multitasking during processing, and ensure videos are properly saved and ejected from storage devices. -
4. How do I recover videos with Disk Drill?
Connect the storage device to your computer, run Disk Drill’s Advanced Camera Recovery, preview recoverable files, and restore them to a new location. Creating a byte-to-byte disk image beforehand is recommended to prevent further data loss. -
5. What causes video file corruption?
Common causes include accidental formatting, power interruptions during recording, physical damage to storage media, file transfer errors, or overwriting footage with new recordings on memory cards.
