Video files have become a significant part of our lives in today’s digital era. We all save our important and memorable experiences as video files on different gadgets. Sometimes, due to interrupted downloads, malware attacks, or file transfer errors, your video files get corrupted or become unplayable.
Sudden distortion or corruption of important videos may get you in trouble, but there’s no need to worry. Luckily, several free online tools and methods are available to repair corrupted video files. This guide explains the common causes of your video corruption and quick steps to repair corrupted video files online for free. Let’s begin!
Common Reasons for Video File Corruption
Before diving into free online video repair methods, it’s crucial to find the exact reasons for such video corruption. Whether you save the video file in MP4, AVI, or any other file format, each video consists of containers that store the video, audio, and metadata. Usually, one or more parts of this structure get impacted when your videos become corrupted, which also results in playback issues.
Some main reasons for video corruption are:
- Interrupted File Transfers: File corruption may arise due to unexpected device shutdown or improper connections made during video transfers.
- Malware or Viruses: Malicious programs like viruses or malware sometimes attack your device and damage video file headers or alter important data.
- Unsupported Codecs: Playing a video with outdated or unsupported codecs can cause file errors and prevent them from playing.
- Hardware Issues: Damaged storage devices like USB drives or hard drives can cause data corruption and even lead to the deletion of stored files.
Why to Select Online Video Repair?
Online tools are frequently a quick and convenient way to repair corrupt video files, especially when you don’t want any additional installation on your device. There is no need to download any software, which might save time and storage space on your device. Here are some advantages of online video repair:
- Cost-Effective: Several online video repair tools offer both free and paid options. You can check and compare all these tools, then choose the one that best fits your needs.
- Ease of Use: The web-based online platforms are user-friendly, with straightforward instructions for uploading and repairing files.
- Compatibility: Online video repair services can frequently repair video files of multiple file formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and WMV.
- No Installation Required: There is no risk of virus or malware attacks as the video files are repaired without any third-party software installation.
Quick Steps to Repair Corrupted Video Files Using Stellar Online Video Repair
Among many video repair online platforms, Stellar Online Video Repair is a versatile tool which allows you to fix corrupt/damaged/broken video files in a few easy steps. This all-in-one video repair solution can fix video files of several file formats, such as MP4, MOV, AVI, M4V, 3G2, 3GP, F4V, etc. It allows users to fix video files corrupted by viruses, unexpected power outages, improper downloads or transfers, etc.
You can repair up to 100 MB of files for free with the Stellar Online Video Repair tool’s free version. However, upgrade to the premium version to repair corrupted files of larger sizes. To repair your corrupt/damaged video files online using this video repair tool you need to:
Step 1: To begin, go to the Stellar Online Video Repair website and click the Upload Video button on the homepage to add the corrupt video that you need to repair.
Step 2: Add a playable sample video file that is captured with the same device and has the same file format. After uploading, click the Start Repair button and wait for the repair process to finish.
Step 3: After the repair process is completed, preview the repaired video files and click the Save Repaired Video button to save them at a safe location on your device.
Once you are done with the above steps on repairing a corrupt video file using the Stellar Online Video Repair tool, try playing it to ensure the issue has been resolved.
Tips for Successful Video Repair
Though the above steps to repair corrupt video files online are quite easy to implement, it is important to consider below tips to ensure successful repair:
- Use a Reference File: Stellar supports repairing of video files using a reference file recorded on the same device and with the same file format to improve accuracy.
- Ensure a Stable Internet Connection: Avoid interruptions during the upload or repair process as this may cause errors.
- Backup the Corrupted File: Create a backup copy of all files and folders before attempting repairs.
Preventing Video Corruption
While it’s easy to repair corrupted videos, prevention is always better than cure. Here are some best practices that can help you avoid future corruption:
- Invest in Reliable Storage Devices: To avoid the chances of video corruption from your end, choose high-quality USB drives, hard drives, and SD cards.
- Maintain Regular Backup: Create regular backups of your important videos on several storage devices, such as external discs, cloud storage, or NAS devices.
- Prevent Interruptions: During file transfers and recordings, make sure there is a steady power supply and solid connections.
- Keep Software Up-to-Date: To guarantee compatibility with different file formats, update codecs, editors, and video players on a regular basis.
Conclusion
When you find important video files corrupted or unplayable on your device, go with the aforementioned steps to repair corrupted video files online for free. Stellar Online Video Repair is a versatile video repair tool that allows you to fix video corrupted due to any reason in a few simple steps and that too without any cost. Moreover, you can adopt preventive measures such as maintaining regular backups, using reliable storage devices, etc. to safeguard your valuable videos and minimize future issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I repair a corrupted video file online for free?
Yes, there are many online tools available that you can use to repair corrupted video files for free. These tools typically support common formats like MP4, AVI, and MOV and can fix minor issues like header damage or missing metadata.
Which online tools are best for repairing corrupted videos for free?
Some popular free tools include Stellar online video repair, Restore.Media, Fix.Video, etc. Each tool has specific features and may support different file types, so choose the one that fits your needs.
Is Stellar Online Video Repair free?
Yes, Stellar Online Video Repair is totally free, and it is a good online tool that can solve your video corruption issues. Moreover, you can also download a software version, search for Stellar Repair for Video on any web browser and install the tool on your Windows PC/Mac.