With our assistance, we will help you to know all about the reasons for corruption in MOV and MP4 videos along with detailed stepwise guidance on the best effective methods to counter the corruption problem.
We will focus on using the AVI fix option, altering the video output settings, using transcoding, and increasing the cache values. These manual approaches can make your corruption go away if the given steps are followed properly.
To help you get away from the series of steps in manual methods, we have also recommended a high-end video repair utility, Kernel Video Repair. This tool is powerful yet simple to use with top-quality features embedded. Be with us to know more.
Why do the .mov or .mp4 videos get corrupted?
Here are the basic reasons why your MOV or MP4 files become corrupt:
File system issues:
- Bad sectors: Physical damage to the storage medium (hard drive, SSD, etc.) can lead to bad sectors, where data cannot be reliably read or written.
- Logical errors: Software glitches or inconsistencies in the file system can cause errors in file allocation or metadata.
Compression problems:
- Incomplete compression: If the compression process is interrupted or fails, the video file can become incomplete or damaged.
- Compression errors: Compression algorithms can introduce errors, especially in low-quality or heavily compressed files.
Transfer and storage errors:
- Data Transfer Corruption: Errors during data transfer (e.g., over a network, from a USB drive) can corrupt the video file.
- Interrupted transfer: If a transfer is interrupted, the file may be incomplete or damaged.
- Storage device failures: Physical failures in hard drives, SSDs, or other storage devices can cause data loss and corruption.
Software and codec issues:
- Codec issues: Problems with codecs used to encode or decode the video can lead to corruption.
- Incompatible software or hardware: Using incompatible software or hardware can cause issues with video playback or editing.
Best methods to repair broken MOV or corrupted MP4 videos.
VLC media player is one of the reliable ways to repair corrupted and inaccessible video files via fixing the codecs or repairing damages. We will outline different methods to troubleshoot .mov and .mp4 videos with ease.
Method 1: Using AVI fix
With the use of VLC Media Player, we will help you out on how to use the AVI fix option and repair MP4 and MOV files. Follow the steps given below.
- Rename your MOV or MP4 file and change the extension to .avi. Hit Enter.
- Open the VLC Media Player. Tap on Tools and click on Preferences.
- Go to the Input/Codecs section and choose the Always Fix option.
- Tap on Save to finish.
Method 2: Changing the video output settings in VLC
When you make a few changes in the video output settings in the VLC Media Player, then any type of video format, be it MOV or MP4, will be repaired. But what settings to change? Here is what needs to be done.
- Access the VLC Player and tap on Tools. Go to Preferences.
- From the Video section, change the settings from Automatic to DirectX (DirectDraw) video output.
- Click on Save and restart your PC.
Method 3: Transcoding using VLC
With this method, we will use transcoding via VLC to fix .mp4 and .mov video files. Moreover, you must note that this method only works for MP4 and MOV files. Here are the steps to follow.
- Open the VLC Player.
- Navigate to Media and tap on Convert/ Save.
- Tap on Add and insert MP4/ MOV videos to transcode. Tap on Convert/ Save.
- Give a name to the file and select the location for your file.
- Choose the desired input codec under the Profile list.
- You can select the Edit Selected Profile button and change the profile settings. You can even create a new profile and delete any other present profile.
- Tap on Start and fix your videos.
Method 4: Increasing the cache values
Users can increase the cache value in the VLC Media Player and counter the buffer cache issues in the video. Follow the steps given below to increase the cache value.
- Access the VLC Media Player and tap on Tools. Click on Preferences.
- Under the Show settings section, select the option All [among the options; Simple and All].
- Tap on Input/ Codecs and click on Advanced.
- Within the Advanced, next to File caching (ms), change the cache value to 1000 or above.
- Tap on Save and restart the VLC Media Player.
Many users are switching their minds to automation so manual approaches are becoming less prevalent. With limitations such as time-consuming steps and unable to resolve severe corruption issues, you can look to opt for automated video repair utility like Kernel Video Repair.
This utility can repair not only MP4 and MOV formats but also works with WMV, AVI, MKV, AVCHD, MPEG, and more. The tool also specializes in 4K, 8K, VR, and 360 video repair. Plus, it has bulk video repair features and preserves full data integrity and quality post-repair. Coming with an easy-to-use interface, the tool has a trial version for users with zero cost. Use the top video repair capabilities of the tool in the easiest way possible.
Last say
When looking to fix MOV and MP4 video files, the 4 given methods are the most reliable for users looking to follow the manual approaches. Choose the manual method as per your requirements. In case, you want to get away from the process of manual methods, we recommend you opt for the Kernel Video Repair tool. Its effective features, easy-to-use interface and wide compatibility for all versions of Windows, make it an ideal video repair utility for technical and non-technical users.
