Are you struggling to get an MP4 video file to play? Whether you've recorded the video on a phone or on a standard video camera, making information technology work can sometimes be a problem.

Often, it'south simply a example of installing the correct video codec, simply what if the video file itself isn't working? In this article, we explain how to fix a decadent MP4.

How to Gear up a Corrupt MP4 File

Apps that fix corrupted MP4 files are not exactly plentiful. MP4 repair apps don't come up pre-installed on Windows or other operating systems, and they're not included with most video editing tools.

The reason is simple: it's difficult to repair MP4 files. As such, we tend not to repair corrupted MP4 files at all when disaster strikes.

A corrupted video file will not play

What tools are available to solve this problem? To help repair a corrupted MP4 video, yous can try these two options:

  • VLC Player is the all-time media player for nearly operating systems; it stands strong every bit an excellent example of free MP4 repair software.
  • Video Repair from Grau GmbH for Windows, though it does include a paywall.

Of these, VLC Player is the best choice. That's considering the trial version of Video Repair imposes a cutting-off signal, which means that only the first 50% of the video is repaired for free.

Would you want to pay for an app that might neglect to ready corrupted video files? Probably not. Fortunately, there is a workaround. We'll get to that later.

How to Fix a Decadent Video File with VLC

VLC Player is an incredibly versatile app; it's actually the perfect MP4 repair tool. Cheers to VLC, you lot might be able to fix corrupted video files by converting them to a working file format.

Offset, download VLC Role player and install it. Then, to fix the corrupt file, open VLC Histrion and:

  1. Open up the Media card.
  2. Select Catechumen / Salve.
  3. Click the Convert / Save button, then Catechumen.
  4. Choose a destination Profile and click the wrench to name your output file.
  5. When you're done, click Outset.
Use VLC Player to fix a corrupt MP4 file

If VLC can repair your video file, it will create a new, watchable version.

How to Fix Corrupted Video Files With Video Repair

First, download and install Video Repair. Next, make sure you have the corrupted MP4 and a similar file, recorded with the aforementioned camera and app. It should too be of the same subject, every bit it will be used every bit a reference.

  1. Run the app and select your language.
  2. Browse for the corrupted video file in the Cull movie box.
  3. Next, select the reference file in Choose reference moving picture. Both MP4 and MOV files are compatible with this app.
  4. Click Scan to repair the corrupt MP4.
Repair MP4 video file

If successful, Video Repair volition provide a list of fixes information technology employed to make the movie watchable. If no list of fixes is provided, Video Repair cannot fix your corrupted MP4 file.

The Trouble With Video Repair: It's Expensive

Say, for example, you take just one corrupt video that you want to repair. Video Repair would be the sensible pick for you lot, but there'south a problem: it's expensive.

Purchasing the app will set you back €29 and that's only for five repair jobs. For an unlimited license, the price is €99. If you notice that MP4 file repair is a common need for you, this might be a viable choice; still, finding the underlying causes of your corrupt clips might exist a better strategy in the long term.

At present, however, you lot've already got a broken MP4 file to bargain with. What can you do to repair the entire video? You tin can pay the fee and buy the full version, or you tin can use trickery to get the video restored in total. Here's how.

How to Repair Your MP4 in Its Entirety

As demonstrated past YouTube user R3DLIN3S, information technology'south possible to fox Video Repair into fixing the unabridged video. The thought is simple: we make a video file that is twice as long, and notwithstanding catechumen just 50% of information technology. Because we doubled the video length, the file that is converted is our entire original file.

Create a new folder and motion the corrupt file into it. Copy the file then that you have two identical decadent MP4s. This may take a while for larger files. Once copied, rename them; it's best to use sequential names, like VID1 and VID2.

Combine video files

Next, open the control prompt. Hit Win + R,enter cmd, and so click OK. Use cd to navigate to the Corrupt File directory and enter the following:

          copy/b VID1.mp4+VID2.mp4        

This command stitches the two files together into a single MP4, now in the place of the first file. You'll need to wait awhile, but, past the terminate, VID1.mp4 and VID2.mp4 will be merged into VID1.mp4.

You tin confirm this by checking the file size of VID1.mp4. If it is at present twice as long, you lot're set to apply the repair tool on your decadent MP4 file, as demonstrated above.

If the tool works for you and you look to utilise information technology again, it would exist appropriate to pay for the software in the future, rather than using this trick over and over.

Your Corrupt MP4 File Isn't Always Lost Forever

An MP4 file corrupted tin exist an extremely frustrating thing to bargain with; it'south never the ones that end up on the cutting room flooring that finish upwardly becoming a problem, either. Rather, it tends to be the ones that yous want to use, save, or scout.

These two methods are our preferred ways to repair damaged MP4 files, and they tend to have us covered no matter what. With proper file management, the need to fix corrupt video files largely becomes zero. Still, it always pays to be prepared, just in case of an emergency.

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