Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Photo/Video/Audio Solutions • Proven solutions
You have recorded a video or downloaded it from the web, but now you can’t play it. The problem might be complicated, but you can now take some measures to fix broken video files.
Since videos can get damaged due to different reasons, I recommend digging up a little for its root cause. Hence, you won’t face the issue in the future. I will cover it in this guide and also tell you how to fix any broken video in no time.
Ideally, a broken video means that the file is missing a critical component, affecting its playback. For instance, the video could drop some frames, have missing audio/video components, or even contain significantly damaged footage. There might be some corrupted metadata or missing header as well. All make it harder for media players to run the file, and users get an error prompt, either.
Common signs for broken videos
Causes of having a broken video
If you are looking for a one-stop solution to fix all kinds of issues related to a corrupt or broken video, then just take the assistance of Wondershare Video Repair.
This DIY tool can repair all sorts of minor and significant issues related to any video, irrespective of how it got damaged. Therefore, you don’t have to go through any unwanted hassle to fix broken video files using Wondershare Video Repair. Just pass the damaged file through the application and get it fixed in no time.
You can easily learn how to fix broken video files of all kinds by following these simple steps using Wondershare Video Repair:
Step 1: Add the broken videos
Firstly, install and launch the application on your computer. Then, click on the "Add" button to browse and upload the broken videos.
Step 2: Start the Quick Repair
After loading the broken videos, click on the "Repair" button and start the process. Don't close the application during the quick repair.
Step 3: Save the repaired videos
Once it is over, the application will notify you. You can now preview and save the fixed videos to the desired location.
Step 4: Perform an optional Advanced Repair
You can also move on to the "Advanced Repair" option. This will ask you to load a sample video first. Remember, a sample video is a video in the same format shot on the same device. The application needs it as a reference.
On adding the sample video, you can see it listed on the interface. Click on the "Repair" button to perform an advanced repair and just wait for a few minutes for the operation to be completed.
In the end, the application will let you know as soon as it is done.
You can now save the repaired videos to your computer and access them whenever you want.
Since there can be several scenarios for a broken video, you can consider a few other fixes to resolve the following problems.
As the name suggests, the problem usually happens when you fail to download a video entirely from a source. To fix this problem, revisit the same source and download the video. If you are using a browser plugin or add-on, there can be an issue with the same. In this case, you can try any other add-on tool and download the video again.
If your video file is damaged or broken and you are trying to play it with the VLC Media Player, you can get an error prompt.
The good news is that you can use VLC’s native feature to fix the video. Just go to its Tools > Preferences menu and visit the "Input/Codec" section. It can help you repair broken videos frequently.
Sometimes, users complain that the entire video has a broken or missing sound/video component. In this case, you need to check the recording device. You could have muted the microphone or had an issue with the lens.
If you downloaded it from an online source, you could try to reaccess and re-play the video.
If all fail, you can use a reliable recovery solution (like Wondershare Video Repair) to fix broken video files with missing components.
A header is a crucial part of any video file that stores information about the video component. If the hexadecimal code gets broken, then it can make the entire file inaccessible.
To fix this, you can use any freely available hexadecimal editor (like HexDec or HxD) and try to alter the codes manually. Though, if you are not proficient with hexadecimal codes, you should consider using a readily available video repair application instead.
Codec is a vital component in video encoding/decoding that can also affect its playback. If there is an issue with its codec component, then it can also make your video broken.
Firstly, make sure that you have all the latest codec programs updated on your system. If you want, you can also inspect the video's codec using any free video inspector tool. It will provide details about the video encoding, and you can even alter it to a preferred option.
If you get a broken video, you might encounter the audio component missing in some places or getting distorted. While there can be an issue with the video itself, you should consider checking your system’s drivers.
To do this, just launch the Device Manager application on your system and expand the sound drivers. You can right-click and choose to update these drivers. If you want, you can disable and enable them afterward to reset the sound drivers.
Just like the missing audio, the video file can have an absent or distorted picture as well. Similarly, to fix broken video files in this case, you can launch the Device Manager on your computer and select the display adapter instead.
Right-click and choose to update the display/graphic drivers or reset them instead. If it doesn’t work, then you can just scan it through Wondershare Video Repair.
While playing the video, you might see that the video has got a black screen. It is a clear sign that it is the video with severe damage.
You can first check the display of your system as well as its display adapter and graphic settings. If the problem is with the video instead, you can use a repairing tool like Wondershare Video Repair to fix it.
Too many times, while playing a video, users get pixelated or blurry patches in the video. It can happen due to unwanted noise or a broken segment.
If you want, you can make changes in its playback to get some relief. Though, the easiest way to fix this is by passing it through a repairing tool for a simple yet effective solution.
A while back, I moved a video from my computer to a pen drive, but it got broken. A problem like this usually happens when the storage location of the video is already compromised.
You can try to solve this by using an anti-malware tool and just scan the storage where you saved videos. This way can help you fix virus-infected videos quickly.
By now, you would be able to understand how to fix broken video files. Though, if you don’t want to encounter a similar problem again, then consider following these preventive measures:
Now, it brings us to the end of an extensive guide on how to fix broken videos like a pro. As you can see, I come up with a wide range of solutions to repair damaged, corrupted, and broken video files under different scenarios.
If you are looking for an all-in-one video repair solution, just download and install Wondershare Video Repair. As an exceptional and user-friendly tool, it helps you fix all kinds of issues related to a broken video without any hassle.
If you are searching for more answers to the broken video problem, you can find them below. We do some researches and find all of the questions below are most hot among you. And we provide answers and solutions.
The most complicated cause of video not playing on Android phones is the video file damage itself. The less relaxing one is the application conflicts on your phone, and rebooting your device can solve it quickly. You can find the extensive guide that shows you why your videos stop playing. There are 3 cause types and 3 solutions.
The reasons can be viruses, malware, computer updates, media player crash, video file corruption, outdated drivers, and many more. How can you identify the specific one? First, check where your videos can't work. You can also read the guide to find 15 exact reasons and workable methods.
I assume that some of you have no idea about the difference between video recovery and video repair. They are two different jobs, completely. When you find an MP4 video file lost, the first thing must be doing nothing.
Don't copy, write, or transfer any new data in the same place, making video recovery less possible and more difficult. Then, you can turn to the Recycle bin, backups, or a trustworthy MP4 recovery program.
Broken video files appear due to many factors. Sometimes, it is broken online just because of the unstable network connection. In this case, you just need to cancel the connection and reconnect it once again. But most of the time, a video itself is broken in the header, footage, or other structure. The easiest way must be a reliable video repair tool.
If you are searching for reliable video repair software to fix not playing videos, Wondershare Video Repair is the first and exclusive option. If you are eager to get back deleted files, you have different ways, like video recovery software.
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Eleanor Reed
staff Editor