Watching videos is one of the most common ways to entertain us in our leisure time. There are several video formats in which you can save your video files, MP4 being the most common one. The MP4 video format is mainly known for its high-quality video and audio compression. However, sometimes you may encounter issues when your MP4 video files get corrupted or become unplayable on your device.
There are several reasons which cause playback issues or even complete inaccessibility of your MP4 files. It is important to find the main reason for such corruption issues and then apply proper methods to repair MP4 on your device. In this article, we will explore 05 easy ways to fix a corrupt MP4 video file and restore it to its original, playable state.
Common Reasons for MP4 Video Files Corruption
There are several reasons why your video files get corrupted or become inaccessible. Usually, the video file can become corrupt due to any issue arising from the inception of the video to its inscription on the storage media’s memory. Before we get into the methods to repair MP4 videos, let’s look at some common causes for the same:
- Incomplete Downloads: Interrupted or partial downloads can cause MP4 corruption issues, as essential data is missing.
- Improper Conversion: Converting your video files to some other format which is not supported by your system can lead to data corruption. Such issues especially occur due to improper completion of the conversion process.
- Software or Hardware Issues: There may be some problems with video editing software, media players, or hardware components like storage devices, which results in MP4 file corruption issues.
- Virus or Malware: Malicious software, such as viruses or ransomware, can infect and damage MP4 files, making them inaccessible or unplayable.
- Sudden Power Loss: If there is a sudden power outage while recording or editing MP4 files, it causes file corruption as the writing process is disrupted.
Quick Methods to Repair Corrupt MP4 Video Files
Now that you are familiar with the exact reasons for the corruption of your MP4 video files, it’s time to apply proper methods to repair your videos. Whatever is the cause for your corrupted video, go with the following methods to repair videos quickly:
Method 01: Fix Corrupted MP4 Video Using Video Repair Tool
Before you dive into manual methods to repair corrupt MP4 video files, try using a video repair tool. It is the easiest way to repair a corrupted video file, irrespective of its corruption. Among several video repair tools available online, Stellar Repair for Video is a professional video repair software which offers all the features to fix damaged or corrupted video files in no time.
Whether your video file is broken, damaged, or corrupted, the Stellar Repair for Video tool allows you to repair it with minimum stress. The software offers several amazing features to ensure smooth and quick repairing of your corrupt videos. These features include:
- Support repairing of a large number of video file formats, including MP4, MOV, 3GP, and many more.
- The software is compatible with all Windows and Mac devices.
- Support repairing videos stored in any internal or external storage media, such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, etc.
- It provides a user-friendly interface and easy-to-follow wizards which make it very easy for beginners to use this video repair software.
- It allows you to preview the repaired files before saving them on your device.
To repair your corrupt MP4 video file using the amazing Stellar Repair for Video tool, follow the steps discussed below and get your video playable again.
Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Repair for Video software on your computer. Launch the software and from the homepage, click Add Videos and select the corrupted video that you need to repair.
Step 2: Click the Repair button to begin the repairing process.
Step 3: Once the repair process is completed, you’ll be able to preview the repaired video file. Click the “Save Repaired Files” button to save them at the desired location.
Method 02: Fix Corrupted Video Files with VLC Player
Windows PC has a built-in VLC player which allows you not only to play MP4 video files but also to troubleshoot any issues with your corrupt or damaged video files. You can try multiple ways to repair your corrupt video using the VLC media player. Let’s start with the easiest one. Go through the following steps to learn how to fix corrupted video MP4 files using the VLC media player:
- Launch the VLC Player app and click on the media tab. From the list of options, tap the ‘Convert/Save’ option.
- Now, add the corrupted video that you need to repair in the Conversion window and click on ‘Convert’. This will convert the selected video file into an .AVI file.
- From the settings Window that appears on your screen, adjust the settings of the conversion. Select a codec and the export location of the converted file and tap the ‘Start’ button.
- After successfully completing the conversion process, check if you are able to play your video files.
Method 03: Use VLC Player to Replicate Corrupt MP4 Video File
Another alternative to repair a corrupt MP4 video using a VLC player is by replicating it. Go through the following steps to learn how to repair MP4 video file by replicating it in a VLC player:
- Firstly, change the extension of your video file from .mp4 or any other format to .avi by renaming it.
- Now, launch the VLC player, go to ‘Tools’ and select ‘Preferences’.
- In preferences, navigate to the ‘Image/Codecs’ tab and choose ‘Always fix’ next to the ‘Damaged or incomplete AVI file’ drop-down. Click the Save button to save the changes.
- Close the VLC player and check if you are able to play your video file.
Method 04: Increase Cache Value in VLC Player
If the above methods fail to repair your damaged or corrupt MP4 video files, you can increase its cache value in the VLC player. This improves the playback quality of your video. All you have to do is:
- Launch the VLC player and go to Tools > Preferences > Show settings > All.
- Now, click on Input/ Codecs from the list and go to the ‘Advanced Options’ on the right navigation pane.
- Go to the ‘File Caching (ms)’ setting and change the cache value from 300 to 1000 or above.
- At last, click on Save and restart the VLC Player.
Method 05: Fix Corrupt MP4 Video File Using QuickTime on Mac
If you are a Mac user, then you can use Mac’s QuickTime video player to check and repair corrupt video files on Mac. This amazing tool inspects your corrupted video in detail and then repairs it automatically. To repair corrupted or unplayable video files on your Mac device using QuickTime player, you need to:
- Play your MP4 video in QuickTime.
- Click on the Windows tab and select Show Movie Inspector. A detailed description of the MP4 video will then appear on your screen.
- If you get a black screen, it means your video file is corrupted. In such cases, click the Edit option located under the QuickTime menu.
- Select Preferences and then click QuickTime Preferences. Click the Update button to update your player.
- Finally, restart the QuickTime media player and check if your video file is playing.
Final Words
This blog discussed 05 easy ways to fix a corrupt MP4 video file by which you can bring your corrupted videos back to the playable state. Go through all the manual solutions and third-party tools, such as Stellar Repair for Video, to instantly repair corrupted MP4 videos. The result will be surprising; you will get your essential video in the playing state easily. Also, make a good habit of creating proper backups of your important videos to help you in such corrupted or even data loss issues.
