In today's digital world, MP4 is one of the most widely used formats. Not only is it lightweight, but it is also suitable for a broad range of video players, thus which makes it useful. But this popular format can occasionally become corrupted or severely damaged when combined with other formats and files.
Yes, you read it right. MP4 files are prone to corruption, which can cause serious problems if no backup is available. However, if you also have a damaged MP4 file and are looking for a way for an MP4 corrupt video repair issue, there's no need to look further.
In this blog, we've covered some of the best yet simple ways to fix corrupted MP4 files easily. In addition, we've discussed some of the most common causes of this issue and some helpful tips.
So, why wait? let's get started with this blog on how to repair corrupted video files and keep them safe from damage. Keep on reading!
Part 1: Possible Reasons Behind MP4 Video File Corruption
If you encounter a problem with your MP4 video files, it is recommended that you investigate the root cause before attempting an MP4 repair. On the other hand, MP4 is a more widely used format compared to MOV.
Additionally, it is compatible with various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and mobile devices. However, MP4 files can become corrupt due to several reasons. Here are some of them:
Reason 1. While watching or editing an MP4 video, if your computer crashes or the software freezes, it can lead to issues with the file structure or data loss, making the video inaccessible.
Reason 2. Malware can harm your computer and MP4 files by interfering with the file system or directly corrupting the MP4 file, making it impossible to open.
Reason 3. During the process of downloading or transferring MP4 files through the internet or via USB drives, CDs, or DVDs, interruptions or network problems can lead to incomplete and corrupted MP4 files.
Reason 4. If your storage device has issues such as bad sectors on your hard drive or an invalid memory card, the MP4 files stored on it may become corrupted.
Part 2. How to Recover MP4 Video Files- 3 Quick Ways
If you've come across a corrupted MP4 video file, don't panic! In this section, explore three quick ways to repair mp4 file and regain access to your important video content instantly and efficiently.
Method No: 01. Repair MP4 Video File With Wondershare Repairit Video Repair
As mentioned earlier, MP4 is well-known for its ability to deliver high-quality digital video while remaining efficient in compression. However, it is not uncommon to encounter corruption problems with our favorite MP4 videos. These can happen in various ways, such as audio and video synchronization issues or instances where the audio plays but the video remains invisible.
Introducing the Wondershare Repairit Video Repair Tool, a one-stop shop to fix all levels of corruption, from minor defects to critical damage. The best part about this tool is that it is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers and is intended to solve a variety of MP4 file corruption issues.
This advanced tool is capable of repairing severely corrupted MP4 video files caused by a variety of factors, including file format changes, file header corruption, errors caused by improper system shutdowns, virus attacks, improper downloads, and others.
Overall, Wondershare Repairit Video Repair provides a comprehensive solution for repairing and restoring MP4 video files, allowing even seriously damaged videos to be recovered to their original state.
However, let’s take a closer look at the amazing key features this advanced tool offers, and a quick step-by-step guide on how to repair MP4 video files.
- Key Features
- Repair damaged videos with all levels of corruption, such as video not playing, video no sound, out-of-sync video or audio, playback errors, header corruption, flickering video, missing video codec, etc.
- Repair videos of 18 different formats, including MOV, MP4, M2TS, MKV, MTS, 3GP, AVI, FLV, MXF, KLV, INSV, M4V, WMV, MPEG, ASF, etc.
- Repair damaged or corrupted videos caused by video compression, system crashes, video format changes, etc.
- Repair critically damaged or corrupted videos available on SD cards, mobile phones, cameras, USB flash drives, etc.
- Repairit has a quick and advanced scanning mode. You can use either depending on the level of corruption the video file has undergone.
- Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.10~macOS 14.
- No limit to the number and size of the repairable videos.
Step-by-Step Guide
To fix corrupted video repair, all you need to do is
Step 1. First, download the Wondershare Repairit Video Repair tool for free from its official website and install it on your PC or MAC.
Step 2. Once installed, launch the tool and click on the "+Add" button to upload the corrupted videos you want to repair. You can also upload multiple videos at once.
Step 3. After uploading the videos, click the "Repair" button located at the bottom right of the screen. Wait for a few seconds until the repair process is complete.
Step 4. Once done, the tool will notify you. Preview all the recovered files, and if you're satisfied with the results, click the "Save" button to save the newly repaired files to your device. 
Method No: 02. Change the Video Output Settings in VLC
If you're struggling to play MP4 files and encounter playback issues or visual glitches like a black or white screen. Then changing the video playback settings in VLC Media Player can often help. This method is particularly useful when you face playback distortions or errors with your video files.
For corrupted video file repair, follow the below steps:
1. First, launch VLC Media Player and select "Tools”. After that, pick “Preferences” from the drop-down menu, followed by "Video tab".
2. In the Video Settings section, change the Output option from Automatic to DirectX (DirectDraw) video output.
3. If you're on Windows XP or an older version, consider experimenting with other output options like DirectX 3D, DirectX, OpenGL, or Windows GDI to find the best solution for your issue.
4. Next, click “Save” and then restart the VLC Media Player.
5. After that, try playing your MP4 file again. But if the problem persists, try using the next method.
Method No: 03. Try the Video Repair Feature in VLC
Did you know that VLC Player has a built-in Video Repair feature? Yes, it has a hidden free feature that can quickly fix any issues with video corruption. However, if you are unsure how to use this feature, follow the steps below
1. To get started, launch VLC Media Player and look for the "Preferences" option. You can find it by clicking on "Preferences" in the dropdown menu under "Tools" or by pressing Ctrl + P on your keyboard.
2. Once you have accessed the Preferences menu, go to the "Input/Codecs" section. Here, you will find the option for handling damaged or incomplete AVI files. Choose "Always fix" from the dropdown menu provided.
3. After selecting the "Always fix" option, click on the "Save" button at the bottom of the Preferences window to apply the changes. And it’s done.
Part 3. Tips to Prevent MP4 Video File Corruption in the Future
Before concluding this blog, let's discuss some steps you can take to prevent further damage to your videos. By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of any future harm to your important video files and ensure a smooth viewing experience. Following are:
- Before making any changes that could impact your video content, first create backups of your original files.
- Try to utilize a variety of backup methods such as USB drives, CDs, DVDs, and cloud storage. This will ensure redundancy, reducing the risk of data loss if one storage method fails.
- Keep your operating system and antivirus software up to date to maintain the health of your disks. Regular updates can reduce potential issues and protect against malware threats.
- Ensure that your computer is operating under optimal conditions with a stable internet connection. This minimizes the risk of disruptions or damage during file transfers and storage processes.
To Conclude
We've reached the end of this blog, and we sincerely hope that you found it helpful. We understand that dealing with corrupted MP4 video files can be a disheartening task, but now with the right tools and methods, it can be entirely manageable.
In this blog, we have explored three powerful methods for repairing damaged MP4 files. These methods range from using specialized repair tools such as Wondershare Repairit Video Repair to adjusting video playback settings in VLC Media Player.
Furthermore, we have discussed the importance of preventative measures to safeguard your video files from future damage. By following these tips and techniques, you can effectively repair corrupted MP4 files and prevent further issues. And ensuring a seamless viewing experience for your favorite video content. Lastly, thank you for reading!
