MP4 Video Gets Damaged, How to Repair It

MP4 is one of the most common video file formats used for downloading and streaming videos from the internet. It is often used to store audio, subtitles, and still images. MP4 is a standardized file format for video; nearly all video players support MP4. To open an MP4 file, all you have to do is double-click your video, and it will open with your default video viewer. However, things become difficult if you get a corrupted MP4 file. You cannot access the video. At the same time, you may get an error message that shows the file is broken and the player can't read it, or you may encounter unable to play video error 5 while watching a video. How to repair MP4 files in this case? Why do you receive this error message? What causes corruption in MP4 and MOV files? 
There are many possible reasons and here you will learn about them:
There are several possible reasons and you will learn about them here:

  • Sudden camera shutdown
  • Unstable internet connection
  • Improper system shutdown
  • Disturbed or incomplete media download or transfer
  • Interrupted or incomplete media download or transfer
  • Error writing or reading data
  • Virus attack, etc.

Top 1. Repair MP4 with Video Repair Tool

If you are faced with a corrupted video file, you can turn to professional MP4 repair software. EaseUS Fixo can recover and repair lost/damaged camera videos. The new version comes with a lost video repair feature, which repairs all corrupt, damaged, and broken MP4 and MOV videos. It supports the most widely used camera brands, including Canon, GoPro, and DJI. It also supports to recover and repair camera photos and take them out.

 Free Download

Trustpilot Rating 4.7

 Free Download

Secure Download

A step-by-step guide to MP4 repair:

Step 1. Open Fixo on your local PC. Click "Video Repair" and add the corrupted MP4/MOV/AVI/MKV/3GP/FLV/MKV/WMV video files by clicking "Add Videos".

add videos to repair videos with Fixo

Step 2. Move the pointer to a video and click the "Repair" button to start the single video repairing process. If you want to repair all the videos, click "Repair All".

select videos to repair

Step 3. Wait a few minutes, and the corrupted videos will be repaired. Click the play icon to preview the videos. You can save a single video by clicking the "Save" button next to the play icon. If you want to save all the repaired videos, choose "Save All".

save repaired videos in Fixo

Step 4. If the quick repair fails, you should utilize the advanced repair mode. Click "Advanced Repair" and add a sample video. Choose "Confirm" to ensure.

add sample videos to perform advanced repair

Step 5. A list of detailed information on corrupted and sample videos will show up. Click "Repair Now" to start the advanced video repair process. When the repair is complete, you can view the videos and click the "Save" button to save the repaired video files to an appropriate destination.

click repair now to start advanced repair

If you are still confused, watch this video to check more details and learn the other methods to repair the corrupted MP4 files.

  • 00:18 - Reasons for corrupted video
  • 00:38 - Download EaseUS Fixo Video Repair
  • 01:30 - Advanced Repair M0de in Fixo
  • 02:02 - EaseUS Repair Video Online
  • 02:41 - Try VLC player
  • 03:33 - Create a copy of the original one in VLC

Top 2. Repair Corrupted MP4 Files with Free Online Tool

If you are looking for a free online tool, EaseUS Online Video Repair is a great choice for repairing corrupted  MP4 & MOV videos. On the site, upload your video and follow the step-by-step guide to finish the video repair.

Step 1. Go to the official site of EaseUS Online Video Repair. Add corrupted MP4/MOV/AVI/MKV/3GP/FLV/MKV/WMV video files by clicking "Upload Video" or dragging them directly.

repair video step 1

Step 2. Type in your email address and click "Start Repairing" to start the repair process. You need to ensure the email address you enter is valid because EaseUS will send you an extraction code to the provided email address.

repair video step 2

Step 3. Now, wait patiently for the repair process to end. You don't need to stay at this site all the time, for you can reach it again through the link received in your email.

repair video step 3

Step 4. Check the mail sent by EaseUS. Copy and paste the extraction code and click the "View Your Repair" button to revisit the website. Click "Download Video" and enter the code you received. Click "OK" to get your repaired videos.

repair video step 4

Recover Deleted MTS Video Files

How to Recover Deleted MTS Video Files from Camcorders

How can I retrieve deleted MTS files? The simplest and most successful solution is to utilize data recovery software. Read more >>

Top 3. Repair MP4 Files with VLC

VLC Player is an open-source app that can also play video files that are only partially downloaded. It allows running slightly corrupt or damaged video files without the need to fix the corruption issue. This software also offers the option of format conversion.

Here, you will learn the steps to fix corrupted MP4 files using this app:

Step 1. Launch VLC Player and select "Media > Convert/Save...".

repair mp4 file-1

Step 2. Next, add a corrupted video and click "Convert/Save".

repair mp4 file -2

Step 3. In the Convert window that appears, look through the destination file, and click on "Start".

Step 4. Open VLC and click on "Preferences".

repair mp4 -3

Step 5. Select "Always fix" in the "damaged or incomplete AVI file" option and click "Save".

repair mp4 file -4

Step 6. Try playing the corrupt .mp4 video file with VLC. It should play.

Top 4. Repair MP4 - Replicate Video File to Gain Access

In addition to method-3, you can also replicate the video file to gain access. Here's the step-by-step guide to do that:

Step 1. Create a copy of the original MP4 or MOV files and change the file format to AVI by renaming the video file.

Step 2. Launch the VLC player and select "Tool > Preferences > Input or Codecs".

Step 3. Select "Always fix". Click on "Save" in the bottom section of the "Preferences" window.

replicate video file

Try playing the corrupt .mp4 video file with VLC to see if it works.

Top 5. How to Repair MP4 File on Mac

If you are a Mac user, you can also repair MP4 files or video files easily. All you need is EaseUS Mac data recovery software. With it, you can repair and recover lost movies, TV shows, clips, camera videos, and other recordings. What's more, this software can extract data from a Time Machine or iTunes backup. 

Go ahead and download the Mac version and repair Mac MP4 files:

Note: You can create a backup first by clicking the "Disk Backup" on the left. The software will extract the corrupted videos from the backup image and repair them. It can prevent further damage to files, making it safer and more reliable.

Step 1. Add your broken/damaged videos

Open EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. Click "Add" or drag the corrupted MP4/MOV/AVI/MKV/3GP/FLV/MKV/WMV video files to the repair list.

repair videos on Mac - 1

Step 2. Start repairing video files

Select the damaged video files from the list and click the "Repair" button to start the video repairing process. If you want to repair all of the videos, click "Repair all".

repair videos on Mac - 2

Step 3. Preview and save broken videos

After a few minutes, you can find the damaged videos repaired. Before clicking the "Save to" button, click "View in Finder" to check the videos.

repair videos on Mac - 3

Step 4. Utilize the advanced repair mode

If the videos are not repaired successfully, it means the videos were damaged severely. You need to move on to the "Advance Video Repair" mode, which utilizes sample video files to increase the video repair rate. Click "Add" to upload corrupted videos.

repair videos on Mac - 4

Step 5. Check the videos and start video repair

The video repair tool will check and scan your video automatically. After the process, click "Start repair" to repair the severely damaged videos.

repair videos on Mac - 5

Finally, you can view the videos in Finder and click the "Save to" button to save the repaired video files to an appropriate destination.

How to Avoid MP4/MOV File Corruption

It is important to protect your videos in advance to avoid complicated repair steps. No matter how effective the fix method is, the MP4 repair process is always annoying. To keep things easier, here are some useful tips that will help you avoid damaging your MP4/MOV files in the future:

  • Make a copy of the information before making any changes.
  • Use more than one backup method: USB, CD, DVD, cloud storage, etc. If one of your storage devices is damaged, you would have an alternative to recover your information. You can also use backup and recovery software to help you.
  • Make sure your computer has a good and reliable electrical connection when you download videos from the internet.
  • Keep your operating system and antivirus updated to prevent virus attacks.

Conclusion

The five methods outlined above can definitely help you fix corrupt MP4/MOV files. With an advanced approach for fixing the issue of MP4 file corruption, EaseUS Fixo video repair is a one-stop solution for all multimedia troubles. You can not only repair MP4 files on Windows PCs but also on Mac devices. Moreover, you can start with a free online tool is also a wise choice.

 Free Download

Trustpilot Rating 4.7

 Free Download

Secure Download

MP4 Repair Related Questions

If you still have any problems repairing MP4 files, you can read the following questions and answers to fix your damaged MP4 or MOV files on Mac.

How do I repair a corrupt MP4 file?

The easiest way to repair a corrupt MP4 file is by using EaseUS Fixo. With this software, you can recover and repair lost/damaged camera videos. Follow the steps below to do that:

Step 1. Select the drive that contains the corrupted videos under Devices and Drives. This can be a removable disk or a local drive. Then, click "Scan".

Step 2. Scan lost videos.

Step 3. Recover corrupted videos. Double-clicking on a file lets you preview the file quality. Finally, if you’re happy with the results, click "Recover". You should choose a different location to save the recovered videos.

Is there a way to fix corrupted video files?

Of course, yes. There are five effective ways to repair MP4/MOV files. You can use EaseUS video repair software or VCL. Both of these can really help you out.

How do I fix a corrupted MP4 file on my GoPro for free?

You can use VCL to repair your corrupted MP4 files on your GoPro for free. Also, EaseUS Fixo can repair corrupt, damaged, and broken MP4 and MOV videos on the most widely used digital cameras like Canon, GoPro, and DJI cameras. 

How do I play MP4 files?

To open an MP4 file, all you have to do is double-click your video and it will open with your default video player.

Was This Page Helpful?

Updated by Jaden

Jaden is one of the editors of EaseUS who lives and works in Chengdu, China. She focuses on topics concerning PCs and Mac data recovery. Jaden is committed to enhancing professional IT knowledge and writing abilities. She is always keen on new and intelligent products.

Read full bio

Approved by Mahesh Makvana

Mahesh is an experienced computer tech writer. He's been writing tech how-to guides for about 8 years now and has covered many topics. He loves to teach people how they can get the most out of their devices.

Read full bio