MP4 videos, a significant part of our digital lives, are used worldwide for watching movies, streaming online content, and sharing personal videos. These files offer superior audio and video quality and are compatible with almost all devices. They're also a preferred format for YouTube and other online platforms. However, just like any digital file, MP4s are susceptible to corruption, rendering them unplayable and leading to potential loss of valuable or sentimental content. This comprehensive guide aims to explain MP4 files, why they become corrupted, and how to repair MP4 files to recover your invaluable data.
Detailed explanation of MP4 videos
MP4, or MPEG-4 Part 14, is a digital multimedia container format, most commonly used to store video and audio files, but it can also store other data such as subtitles and still images. One of the main reasons behind the popularity of MP4 files is their ability to compress large video files without losing much quality, making them ideal for sharing over the internet and storing on hardware with limited storage.
Why do MP4 files get corrupted?
MP4 file corruption can stem from various sources:
Hardware failures: Hard drives, SD cards, and other storage devices can develop bad sectors over time. This deterioration may be due to physical damage. If your MP4 file is stored on these bad sectors, it may get corrupted.
Interrupted file transfers: A sudden power outage or interruption during the transfer of an MP4 file could leave it in an incomplete and unplayable state.
Malware attacks: Malicious software can infiltrate your system and tamper with your files, including MP4 files, leaving them corrupted and unplayable.
Faulty media player: Using a faulty media player or one that doesn't fully support MP4 files can result in file corruption.
Preventing MP4 corruption
Preventing MP4 file corruption largely revolves around safe handling of the file and the system where it's stored:
Ensure proper shutdown: Force shutdowns during file transfers or while the video is playing can corrupt your MP4 file. Ensuring a proper shutdown can prevent this.
Use reliable antivirus software: A comprehensive antivirus program can protect your MP4 files from harmful malware and viruses, safeguarding them from potential corruption.
Eject storage devices correctly: Always use the "safely remove hardware" option before ejecting any external storage device from the system. This prevents any file, including your MP4 files, from getting corrupted.
Keep systems up-to-date: Keeping your operating system, media players, and other software up-to-date can prevent software-related issues that may lead to MP4 corruption.
Instant Solution - SysCurve Video Repair tool
Quickly repair MP4, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, and other video files.
Simple troubleshooting steps to repair MP4 files
A video not playing doesn't always equate to a corrupted file. The problem could be due to issues with your device or media player. Before repairing MP4 files using a MP4 repair tool, consider these troubleshooting methods to repair corrupted MP4 video. Please remember to prepare a backup before performing any of these methods.
Try different media players: MP4 is a universally supported file format. Yet, if your usual media player is experiencing technical issues, it might refuse to play your MP4 video. It's advisable to try playing your video in different players to see if it works.
Convert the video format: In some cases, converting your MP4 file to another format like AVI can make it playable again. After conversion, try to open the converted video file in your Media Player. You can use VLC or SysCurve Video Converter tool to convert your MP4 file to a different format.
Download MP4 codecs: If your media player lacks the MP4 codec, you won't be able to play your video file, and you might receive an error message like "A codec is required to play this file." To solve this problem, download the necessary MP4 codec.
If these methods fail, you can use the manual or third-party solutions to repair MP4 files.
How to repair corrupted MP4 files?
You can repair corrupted MP4 files using manual methods or third-party MP4 repair software. If the manual methods fail, try using a reliable software like the SysCurve MP4 Repair tool.
Method 1: Repair MP4 files using VLC Media Player
- Right-click on the damaged MP4 video file and select Rename option
- Change the file format to .avi and press Enter.
- Open the VLC Media Player and click on the Tools option
- Select Preferences option, choose Input/Codecs option
- Go to the damaged or incomplete AVI file and select the Always fix option
- Finally, click on the Save button.
Method 2: Repair MP4 files using Transcoding
- Open the VLC Media Player
- Go to the Media and select Convert/Save option
- Click on the Add button and select MP4 video
- After selecting the file, click on the Convert/Save button
- To change the profile settings, select the Edit Selected Profile button
- Click on the Browse button and provide a location to save the file
- Finally, click on the Start button
Method 3: Change video output settings using VLC
- Open VLC Media Player
- Click on the Tools and select the Preferences option
- Select the Video option and choose DirectX (DirectDraw) video output
- Click on the Save button and restart the VLC Player.
Method 4: Repair MP4 files using the MP4 repair tool
Here we are going to use the SysCurve Video Repair tool. It is one of the powerful tools that quickly fix MP4 video files. Using this tool, you can also repair AVI, MPEG, MKV, MOV, FLV, WMV, WEBM, etc. It also comes with a free demo version.
- Download and install SysCurve MP4 Repair software.
- Click on the Add file and select the damaged MP4 video
- Click on the Repair button to repair MP4 video files
- Once the repair process is complete, click on the Preview to view the repaired video
- Select the file and click on the Save Repaired Files option
- Provide a location to save the resultant file and click on the Save button.
Other helpful features
- Repair MP4, AVI, MKV, FLV, WEBM, F4V, etc.
- Preview repaired video files
- Support large-size video files
- Repair severely corrupted files using the sample files.
- Fix the video corruption issue.
- Support all major media players
- Support Windows 10 and earlier
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use VLC to repair MP4 files that won't play?
Yes, VLC Media Player can repair MP4 video files. Follow the step-by-step guide mentioned earlier in this article, and if that doesn't work, you might try using a software like SysCurve MP4 Repair tool.
My MP4 video won't play. What should I do?
First, make sure your media player supports MP4. If it does, try opening the file with a different player. If it still doesn't work, use a tool like SysCurve Video Repair software to repair MP4 video files.
What's a good tool to fix MP4 files?
SysCurve MP4 Repair tool is a popular choice. It's easy to use and can fix not just MP4 files, but many other video formats too.
Is the SysCurve Video Repair tool free?
You can download and use the SysCurve MP4 Repair tool for free to repair and preview videos, but you'll need to purchase the full version if you want to save the repaired videos.
Can I repair corrupted MP4 files without any software?
Yes, you might be able to repair MP4 file using VLC's built-in repair features, or by converting it to another format. However, the manual methods might not work for severely corrupted files, in which case a dedicated MP4 repair tool might be needed.
Why are my MP4 files getting corrupted?
MP4 files can become corrupted for several reasons, such as hardware failure, interrupted file transfers, malware attacks, or software failures. Taking precautions like using reliable antivirus software and proper hardware handling can minimize these risks.
Can I repair corrupted MP4 files online?
Yes, there are online tools available that can repair corrupted MP4 files. However, please be aware that these tools often have limitations such as file size limits and may not be as effective as downloadable software like the SysCurve MP4 Repair tool. Additionally, uploading personal or sensitive videos to online platforms can pose a security risk.
Will converting an MP4 file to another format fix corruption?
Sometimes, converting a corrupted MP4 file to another format like AVI can make it playable again. Tools like VLC or SysCurve Video Converter tool can help with this conversion.
Is the repaired MP4 file's quality the same as the original?
Repair tools strive to restore the file to its original quality, but in some cases, especially if the file is heavily damaged, there might be a loss in quality. Always make backups of important files to avoid permanent loss.
The Final Word
While encountering a corrupted MP4 file can be a cause for concern, there are several ways to rectify the issue and repair MP4 files. From DIY methods to using dedicated software like SysCurve MP4 Repair tool, you can choose the method that best suits your needs. Always remember to take preventive measures to avoid such occurrences, but if you ever find yourself in a situation with a corrupt MP4 file, know that it's not the end of the road and your video can likely be repaired.