Best Free Tools to Repair Corrupted Videos Online

I. Introduction

Video files are an essential part of modern communication and documentation. However, video files corruption due to interruptions or power failures can make them unplayable. Corruption can occur due to incomplete file transfers leading to missing metadata in the file. The damaged video files can become frustrating. Repairing corrupted videos is crucial for restoring lost footage. There are effective tools and methods available to fix damaged files effortlessly. Video repair tools can restore corrupted files and recover lost footage. This article explores various methods to repair corrupted video files. We will write details of how each tool works and its effectiveness in different scenarios. 

II. Typical Reasons for Video File Corruption

There could be multiple reasons behind video file corruption. Some common causes are:

1. Sudden Power Loss During Recording: Video files are saved in chunks during the recording process. Power losses like battery dying or device crashes make them unrecognizable. 
2. Interruptions During File Transfer: Data is written in a sequence during the transfer process. When the transfer process is interrupted, the file may end up being only partially transferred. This leads to missing chunks of data or incorrect indexing. 
3. Issues with Storage Media: Storage devices like SD cards and flash drives have limited lifespans. Aged bad sectors or physical damage makes it impossible to read or write data correctly. A corrupted sector on the storage device can prevent video data from being stored properly. 
4. Software Glitches in Recording or Editing Devices: Recording or video editing software is responsible for managing and saving the video files. A software crash or bug during the recording might not store the file correctly. If the recording software encounters an issue, it could fail to finalize the video file properly.
5. Malware Infections: Malware or viruses can corrupt files on your device. It can modify the file structure or even encrypt parts of the file. Some types of malwares might specifically target media files.

III. Methods to Repair Corrupted Video Files

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

EaseUS Online Video Repair is a free tool to repair corrupted or damaged video files. It can solve all video file issues from shooting to processing. It supports a wide range of popular video formats. The repair process is quick and involves three simple steps. EaseUS Online Video Repair ensures the original quality of the video is preserved. There is no loss of resolution or clarity after the repair. The tool uses advanced algorithms and AI technology to handle various types of video corruption issues. EaseUS ensures the privacy and safety of user data. Users can opt for the premium version to unlock advanced features.  

Features

1. Uses artificial intelligence to detect and repair video corruption automatically.   
2. Works with multiple file formats.   
3. Does not degrade the video’s original resolution or clarity.  
4. Files remain private and secure during the repair process.   
5. Supports repairing videos recorded from cameras and other video recording devices.  

Steps to Use

Follow these steps to repair corrupted video files using free online tool.

Step 1. Visit the official EaseUS Online Video Repair website. 

Step 2. Click the "Video Repair" button and select "Add Video." 

‍

‍

Step 3. Select the corrupted video file and click 'Repair'. The tool supports multiple video formats. The tool may request a sample video recorded with the same device and settings. This helps the AI recognize patterns and reconstruct the damaged sections more accurately.   

‍

‍

Step 4. The AI-based repair system automatically processes the corrupted file. The tool detects and fixes issues. Click the 'Save' button.

‍

‍

Step 5. Users can preview the video to check if the issues have been resolved. The repaired video can be downloaded to the device.   

B. Method 2: VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free player for video and audio files. It includes advanced features to solve basic playback issues and incomplete video rendering. This method is effective for minor corruption issues. VLC has an Always Fix option for AVI files that automatically attempts to repair damaged AVI videos. This is particularly helpful for videos that refuse to open due to metadata corruption or incomplete downloads. VLC’s repair capabilities are not as advanced as specialized video repair tools, it remains convenient and free.

Follow these steps to repair corrupted videos using VLC Media Player:

Step 1. Open VLC Media Player and go to the "Media" tab. Select "Convert/Save" from the dropdown menu. 

‍

‍

Step 2. Click "Add" and upload the corrupted video file. 

‍

‍

Step 3. Select "Convert" and enter the file name. Choose a location to save the repaired video. 

Step 4. Click "Convert/Save" and select the appropriate input codec. 

‍

‍

Step 5. Click "Start". VLC will process the video file and repair it.

‍

C. Method 3: Untrunc Tool

Untrunc is a free command-line tool to repair corrupted videos. It can repair files damaged due to unexpected interruptions. The incomplete files lack crucial metadata and make them unreadable by most media players. Untrunc addresses this issue by reconstructing the missing metadata. It enables playback and recovery of the corrupted footage. It is primarily designed for Linux and macOS, but Windows users may find unofficial versions.   

Follow these steps to repair corrupted video files using Untrunc: 

Step 1. Copy a working video sample from the same camera and the corrupted file to your Windows system. 

Step 2. Download the latest version of Untrunc from GitHub and extract the files. 

Open untrunc.exe -gui to launch the tool.

‍

‍

Step 3. In the Repair tab, enter the full path of the uncorrupted sample in the “Reference File” field and the corrupted file in the “Truncated File” field. 

‍

‍

Step 4. Go to the Settings tab and enable “Skip unknown”. 

Step 5. Return to the Repair tab and click Repair to begin the process. The repaired file will be saved with “_fixed-s1” appended to its filename. Open the repaired video to confirm successful recovery.

‍

IV. Expert Analysis: Chances of Successful Repair

Repairing corrupted video files depends on the type of corruption and repair method.

1. Causes of Different Corruption Scenarios

Truncated File: Interrupted recording e.g., sudden power loss, battery failure, or device crash.

Incomplete Transfer: File transfer interrupted before completion.

Header Corruption: Software crash, improper shutdown, or faulty storage.

Codec Issues: Incompatible encoding or incomplete transcoding.

Physical Damage: SD card corruption, bad sectors on HDD/SSD.

2. Effectiveness of Each Method in Various Situations

V. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

There could be several reasons behind a lost video file after interrupted recording:

1. Power failure can cause sudden interruptions.
2. Device crash or sudden data loss. 
3. Improper ejection of storage media. 
4. The camera or recording device may fail to save essential metadata.   
5. The MOOV atom may not be written correctly. 

2. What are the chances of recovering overwritten files?

Recovery becomes extremely difficult when the file is overwritten. The original data is replaced by new information. However, the chances of recovery depend on the storage system:  

• Traditional HDDs: Partial recovery may be possible if fragments remain intact.  
• SSD Drives: Recovery is unlikely due to TRIM functionality, which permanently erases old data.  
• Memory Cards & USB Drives: If no new data has been written, expert tools can recover some lost footage.   

3. How to repair corrupted videos online for free?

Follow these steps to repair a corrupted video online without downloading software 

1. Visit the EaseUS Online Video Repair website.  
2. Upload the corrupted video file from your device.  
3. Upload a working sample of a similar video recorded on the same device.  
4. Click "Repair" the tool will reconstruct missing metadata.  
5. Preview the repaired video and download it if successful.

VI. Conclusion

Videos are essential for capturing memories and creative projects. Corruption in video files can be frustrating. Advancements in repair tools and recovery techniques help you restore lost footage. This article explored multiple methods for repairing corrupted video files. Each tool serves a specific purpose. The detailed steps will help you recover their damaged MP4 and MOV files effectively. If you're seeking a reliable and comprehensive solution, EaseUS Video Repair is the best tool for repairing a wide range of corrupted video files. Its AI-powered automatic repair features support various video formats.

VII. Additional Resources

https://repair.easeus.com/document_repair/

https://www.easeus-software.com/repair-tools/index.html

https://www.easeus.com/data-recovery/repair-corrupted-mp4-mov-file.html

https://www.easeus.com/video-repair-tips/free-video-repair-online.html