5 Easy Ways to Fix a Corrupt MP4 Video File [Quick Methods]

Our videos, filled with cherished memories and important moments, are a treasure we hold dear. We often save them in multiple formats, with MP4 being the most common. If, unfortunately, your video becomes corrupted or unplayable, it’s crucial to identify the issue and apply the right MP4 repair method. Your videos are valuable, and we’re here to help you restore them. 

Regardless of the reasons behind your video’s corruption, there are several straightforward video repair methods at your disposal. In this article, we’ll guide you through five easy ways to repair MP4 file. We want you to feel empowered, knowing that you can salvage your valuable videos promptly.

Identifying the Exact Cause for MP4 Video Corruption

Your MP4 video can get corrupted due to various factors, ranging from incomplete downloads to software errors, codec issues, improper conversions, etc. Before you apply methods to repair a video file, it is important to find the exact cause of its corruption. Here are some main reasons why videos get corrupted:

●      Incomplete Downloads: Interrupted downloads due to unstable internet or any other reason can leave MP4 files incomplete, leading to corruption. 

●      Software Errors: Bugs or glitches in video editing or playback software installed on your device can corrupt MP4 files. 

●      Codec Issues: Incompatible or outdated codecs can cause MP4 corruption while encoding or decoding videos. 

●      Hardware Malfunctions: Problems with storage devices or hardware components can lead to MP4 corruption. Hardware malfunctions refer to any issues or faults with the physical components of your device, such as the hard drive, memory, or processor. If these components are not functioning properly, it can lead to data corruption, including your MP4 videos. 

●      Improper Conversions: Incorrectly converting video formats can introduce errors and cause MP4 file corruption. 

●      Interrupted Transfers: Abruptly halting file transfers between devices can leave MP4 files in a corrupted state. When you’re transferring a video file from one device to another, it’s important to ensure that the process is not interrupted. If the transfer is interrupted, it can result in a partially downloaded or corrupted video file. 

●      Virus/Malware Infections: Malicious software can infect MP4 files and lead to corruption or damage to your memorable moments. Viruses and malware are malicious software that can infect your device and cause various issues, including data corruption. When it comes to your valuable videos, it’s crucial to have a reliable antivirus program installed and regularly scan your device to prevent such infections.

Quick Methods to Repair a Corrupt MP4 Video File

Now that you understand the reasons behind video corruption, it’s time to apply effective methods to repair MP4 videos. In this part of the blog, we’ll discuss several video repair workarounds that have proven to be successful in fixing corrupt MP4 videos. We want you to feel confident that you can restore your videos with these methods.

Method 01: Use the Video Repair Tool to Fix Corrupt MP4 Videos

Let’s start from the basic one. You can use professional video repair software, like Stellar Repair for Video, to easily and quickly repair damaged videos. Stellar Repair for Video is a trusted and reliable software that can repair lost or damaged videos saved on any storage drive, including cameras, hard drives, SSDs, USB flash drives, etc. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and efficient repair capabilities. 

The Stellar Repair for video tool can easily repair your videos corrupted/damaged due to multiple reasons, including incomplete downloads, software errors, hardware malfunctions, improper conversions, virus/malware attacks, etc. The software is known for several amazing features, such as:

● Supports repairing of video files of multiple formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, 3G2, 3GP, and many more.

● It can repair multiple video files simultaneously in a few simple clicks.

● The software is available for both Windows and Mac devices.

● Allows you to preview the repaired videos so you can select and save repaired files at your convenience

Here’s how to repair a corrupt video file using the Stellar Repair for Video tool:

Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Repair for Video tool on your Windows device. Launch the software, and from the homepage, click the Add Videos button to upload the corrupt MP4 video file that you need to repair.

Step 2: Click the Repair button to begin scanning and wait till it gets completed.

Step 3: Preview the repaired video files and select the videos that you need to save. Click Save Repaired Files to save selected videos at the desired location. 

Method 02: Use VLC Player to Fix Corrupt MP4 Videos 

Along with a third-party MP4 repair software to fix damaged videos, you can use Windows’ built-in VLC Media player. It allows you to repair corrupt or damaged video files in multiple ways, and that’s, too, without any technical expertise. However, it’s important to note that using third-party software always carries a certain level of risk, so it’s advisable to use trusted and reputable tools like Stellar Repair for Video. 

You can even convert your video file to another format using the VLC Media Player so you can attempt to repair the MP4 video corrupted file. Here are the steps to fix an MP4 video file by converting it to a VLC media player:

● Launch VLC Media Player, go to the Media tab, and then click the “Convert/Save” button.

● Now, click the “Add” button and select the videos that you need to transcode.

● In the Convert window, enter the name of your video file and the storage drive where the file is located.

● Then, click the “Convert/Save” button and go to the Profiles tab in the new window to select the input codec that you wish to use.

● Tap the Start button and wait till the conversion process is completed. After that, check if you can play your corrupt videos 

Method 03: Increase Cache Values in VLC Player

Another alternative to repair a video file using a VLC player is by increasing its cache value. Increasing the cache value of your corrupt videos involves adjusting the amount of data buffered in memory before playback begins. It helps in preventing buffer-related issues and improves playback performance, especially while streaming videos over a network or playing high-definition content. All you have to do is:

● Launch the VLC player and go to the Tools tab from the top menu bar. 

● Click on Preferences. Scroll down and from the Show Settings section, where two options, i.e., Simple and All, appear and select All. 

● Now, tap on Input/Codec and select the Advanced option.

● Next to the File caching (ms) option, increase the cache value to 1000 or more. 

● Lastly, click the Save button and restart the VLC player. Check if you can play that corrupt video on VLC. 

Method 04: Change Video Output Settings in VLC

Improperly configured video output setting is also the main reason why videos get corrupted on your device. In such cases, you can change the video output settings in the VLC Media Player to quickly fix your MP4 video. However, it’s important to note that changing these settings can sometimes affect the video quality or playback performance. For this reason, we recommend making a note of your original settings before making any changes. Here’s how to do it:

● Open the VLC media player and click on Tools from the menu bar.

● Now, go to Preferences and then click on Video.

● Change the output settings from Automatic to DirectX (DirectDraw) video output under the Video Settings.

● Click the Save button to save the changes and restart the VLC player. 

Method 05: Repair Corrupt MP4 Video on Mac Using QuickTime

If you are looking for a method to repair MP4 video on your Mac, then QuickTime media player will definitely be the best choice. QuickTime’s built-in repair capabilities are limited, but you can easily repair your corrupt/damaged Video with a few simple clicks. Here’s how to fix a video file using QuickTime player:

● Launch QuickTime on your Mac, click on File from the menu bar, and then select “Open File…”

● Select the location where your corrupt Video is stored and select the Video that you need to repair. Click Open to load that file in QuickTime. 

● If your Video displays a black screen, it indicates it is a corrupted video. In such cases, click the Edit option under the QuickTime menu.

● Now, select Preferences and click QuickTime Preferences. Press the Update button and wait till the process gets completed. 

● Once done, restart your QuickTime media player and check if you can play that corrupt MP4 video.

Wrapping Up

Having a corrupted video file can be a frustrating experience, but with the right video repair method and tools, you can often restore your precious videos. All those mentioned above are five easy ways to fix a corrupt MP4 video file that will help you restore your original videos. Whether you opt for Windows in-built VLC media player or third video repair software, like Stellar Repair for Video, the key is to act promptly and accurately diagnose the issue. By employing these quick methods, you can salvage your corrupted video files and preserve your valuable memories or important content with minimal hassle.