Best Free Tools To Repair Corrupted Videos Online

Videos have become an essential part of online content, and their importance cannot be overstated. We record special occasions, produce interesting content, and present important information in a compelling manner.

But just like any other digital file, videos can be corrupted for different reasons, including sudden shutdown of the system, disrupted file transfer, malware infections, or bad storage devices. At this moment, a video may become unplayable, display freezing, or start losing audio-video sync.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll analyze the typical reasons for video corruption and offer you free and effective methods to repair damaged video files. If you are suffering from the failure to recover some precious family video or troubleshoot an important business project, you’ll find the step-by-step solutions in this guide.

Typical Reasons for Video File Corruption

Have you ever wondered why your videos suddenly stop working? Video corruption doesn’t happen by chance. Identifying the root causes can help prevent future issues and make repairs easier. Here are some common causes of video file corruption:

Unexpected Power Loss: A sudden power outage or battery failure while recording can interrupt the saving process, leading to incomplete or damaged files.
Disruptions During File Transfer: Removing a USB drive too soon or experiencing a network interruption can prevent files from transferring properly, resulting in corruption.
Damaged or Faulty Storage Devices: Issues with SD cards, external drives, or hard disks, whether due to physical damage can lead to corrupted video files.
Software Errors in Recording or Editing Programs: Crashes, bugs, or compatibility issues in video recording or editing software can create files with missing or corrupted data.
Malware or Virus Attacks: Harmful software can damage video files, especially if stored on infected or unsecured devices.

Methods to Repair Corrupted Video Files

In this section, we’ll guide you through three reliable methods step by step to repair corrupted video files hassle-free.

Method 1: Using a Free Online Service (EaseUS Online Video Repair)

EaseUS Online Video Repair is a user-friendly and effective solution for fixing corrupted videos caused by issues during recording, file transfers, editing, or processing. It supports various formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, etc. Anyone can use EaseUS Online Video Repair to fix corrupted videos without any technical expertise with just a few simple clicks.

Here’s how you can repair corrupted videos online:

Step 1. Visit EaseUS Online Video Repair’s official website through your web browser.

Step 2. Click on “Upload Video” and select the damaged file from your computer/device.

Step 3. Type your email address and click “Start Repairing.”

Step 4. Allow the tool to automatically upload and process the repair.

Step 5. Once completed, preview the fixed video on the right panel. You will also receive an email containing an extraction code. Click “Download Video,” enter the code, and confirm to start the download.

Key Features:

AI-Driven Repair Process: Restores corrupted videos quickly with just a few clicks.
Maintains Original Quality: Repairs videos without reducing resolution, color accuracy, or overall quality.
Secure and Private: Ensures a safe repair process with complete data privacy.
Fixes Various Issues: Resolves playback errors, synchronization problems, pixelation, and metadata damage.

Common Video Problems It Fixes:

Corrupted or unreadable files
Videos that won’t play
Lagging or stuttering playback
Loss of audio or subtitles
Blurry, flickering, or distorted visuals

This online tool is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a fast, free, and hassle-free way to restore damaged video files.

Method 2: VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a widely used, open-source multimedia tool that supports various video formats and can also repair certain corrupted files. It’s a straightforward solution for resolving minor playback issues and fixing unplayable videos. Follow these steps to repair a damaged video using VLC:

Step 1. Launch VLC Media Player, navigate to the Media tab, and select Convert/Save.

Step 2. Click Add and choose the corrupted video file.

Step 3. In the Convert window, set the destination file name and location.

Step 4. Click Convert/Save to select the appropriate output format.

Step 5. Choose the correct profile and click Start to begin the repair process.

This method is effective for fixing minor video corruption, such as playback errors or files that won’t open.

Method 3: Untrunc Tool

Untrunc is a free, open-source tool designed to restore corrupted video files, particularly in MP4, M4V, MOV, and 3GP formats. It repairs broken files by using a working video as a reference, reconstructing the damaged one to make it playable again. For the best results, the reference video should be recorded using the same device and settings. However, the process may be challenging for beginners.

Follow the steps to repair videos using Untrunc:

Step 1. Download the latest version of Untrunc from its official GitHub repository and extract the files.

Step 2. Open Command Prompt (CMD) and navigate to the extracted folder.

Step 3. Run the following command, replacing the paths with your actual file locations:

untrunc.exe C:\path\to\working-video.mp4 C:\path\to\corrupted-video.mp4

Step 4. Wait for the process to complete.

Using Untrunc-GUI (Graphical Interface)

For users who prefer a more user-friendly approach:

1. Open Untrunc-GUI from the extracted folder.

2. Select the corrupted video and the healthy reference video.

3. Click Execute and wait for the repair process to finish.

Since Untrunc relies on a reference file to rebuild the damaged video, it works best when you have a similar, undamaged file recorded under the same conditions.

Expert Analysis: Chances of Successful Repair

Restoring a corrupted video file depends on the nature and severity of the damage. Some issues, like minor glitches or audio desynchronization, can be easily fixed, while severe corruption may require advanced tools. Below is an overview of common corruption scenarios, the effectiveness of different repair methods, and their success rates:

Corruption Scenario	EaseUS Online Video Repair	VLC Media Player	Untrunc
Interrupted Recording	High	Moderate	High
File Transfer Errors	High	Moderate	High
Metadata Damage	High	Moderate	Moderate
Playback Issues	High	Moderate	Moderate
Severe Damage	High	Low	High

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why are some video files not found after an interrupted recording?

Interrupted recordings can create incomplete files with missing metadata, making them unrecognizable by the system or media player.

What are the chances of recovering overwritten files?

Recovering overwritten files is difficult since the original data is replaced. However, tools like EaseUS Online Video Repair may restore partially corrupted files if not fully overwritten.

How to repair corrupted videos online for free?

EaseUS Online Video Repair lets you fix corrupted videos by uploading the file and following simple steps. It supports various formats and preserves original quality.

Conclusion

EaseUS Online Video Repair, VLC Media Player, and Untrunc each offer effective ways to fix corrupted videos. EaseUS provides a hassle-free online repair option, VLC is great for quick fixes and format conversions, and Untrunc helps restore heavily damaged files using a reference video. Understanding the causes of corruption and choosing the right tool can help you recover your videos while maintaining quality. To prevent future issues, regularly back up your files and handle storage devices carefully.