How To Repair Corrupt MOV Video Files?

MOV is a popular video format used across various platforms, including Apple devices. Despite its versatility, MOV files can sometimes become corrupt, rendering them unplayable. 

In this article, we will help you repair your corrupted MOV video file by providing 5 tried and tested methods.

How to Repair Corrupted MOV Video Files?

Method 1: Repair MOV File Using Yodot Video Repair Software

Yodot Video Repair software is one of the most preferred video Repair tools in the market because of its user-friendliness and other unique features. This tool not only repairs corrupt MOV files but also corrupt videos of different formats like MP4, AVI, MKV, M4V, and various other formats. It also repairs videos irrespective of the scenarios.

The software is built with superior algorithms that separate the audio and video files and repair them to form a healthy playable file. Even a beginner can use the tool due to its simple user interface. Download and try the tool to fix corrupt MOV files on Mac and Windows.

• Download and install the Yodot Video Repair tool.

• Give the healthy MOV file as a reference and a corrupt MOV file to repair and hit Repair.

• The tool starts the repairing process and shows the repaired file contents.
• Click on Preview to preview the repaired MOV file.

• And finally, click on Save to save the file in the desired location of your choice.

Method 2:  Repair Corrupted MOV Using VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player does not need any introduction. We all have used it to play our videos but you will be surprised to know that it even can repair your corrupted MOV video files. 

To fix the corrupted MOV video file using VLC Media Player follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Open VLC Media Player on your computer.

• Click on Media in the menu and choose Convert/Save.

• In the Open Media window, click Add to select the corrupted/damaged MOV video file you want to repair.

• Click Convert/Save to continue.
• In the Convert window, select a preferred codec under Profile to potentially resolve video issues.
• In the Destination section, specify a name for the repaired file and select a location to save it.
• Click Start to initiate the repair process.

Method 3: Change the File Extension to Fix Corrupted MOV Video Files

Sometimes a small change can make big differences. Changing the file extension of the .mov video file to another file extension is another possible way that help you repair your corrupted video files. To do so follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Create a copy of the original MOV video file.
• Change the file extension of the copied file to .avi.
• Open the VLC media player and go to Tools > Preferences.

• In the Preferences window, choose Input/Codecs.
• Under the Files section, select Always Fix.

• Click Save to save your preferences.
• Follow the same repair steps as mentioned in Method 2 to initiate the repair process for the AVI-formatted file.

Method 4: Repairing and Transcoding Corrupted MOV Video Files Using Shutter Encode

When VLC Media Player successfully opens a corrupted MOV video file, Shutter Encoder becomes a handy tool for transcoding. Ultimately, it relies on the FFmpeg engine.

Start by trying the ‘rewrap’ function, with the destination format set to .mov or .mxf. If the issue lies in the damaged container, this process should resolve it without the need for full transcoding.

Alternatively, you can opt for transcoding to Prores or DNx formats while maintaining the original source footage’s quality, which should result in minimal generational loss. 

Note: Do exercise caution, as the output may still contain glitches, possibly due to some damaged frames within the file.

Here are the steps to perform this method:

• Download and install Shutter Encoder on your computer.
• Launch the program.
• Select Rewrap and set the output format to .mov or .mxf.
• Click Choose File to select your damaged MOV file.
• Click Start to repair your file.
• Let Shutter Encoder work; the time depends on the file size.
• Examine the output in .mov or .mxf format for resolved issues.
• If problems persist, transcode the file to Prores or DNx at the same quality level.

Method 5: Fix the Corrupt MOV File Through an Online Converter

You can repair corrupted MOV video files without downloading any software or performing complex methods by utilizing online converting tools. One such tool is Online Converter.

This tool is free to use and you can repair minor corruption in various video file formats like MP4, MOV, 3GP, and MP4. However, it is important to note that this tool can only convert videos with sizes less than 200 MB. If your video file size exceeds this size you won’t be able to repair the video file. To repair a corrupted MOV video file using this method follow these steps:

1. Go to the Online Converter site on your computer.
2. Click on the Choose File button to select the corrupted MOV file. It’s essential to also choose a healthy video in the same format as the corrupted one from your device.
3. After you’ve selected the files, click on Repair.

1. Once the conversion process is complete, a new page will appear. Click on Download Now.
2. You will then be able to download the successfully repaired MOV file, which has been converted into an MP4 format.

Also Read: How to Repair Corrupt MOV Video on Mac?

All about MOV Video Files and Corruption

What is a MOV Video File?

MOV is a widely used multimedia container file format developed by Apple. It is renowned for its versatility, as it can store a combination of audio, video, text, and even 2D or 3D graphics. What makes MOV files unique is their compatibility with both Mac and Windows systems. MOV files employ the MPEG-4 codec for compression, which ensures high-quality video and audio. They can also include chapters, subtitles, and metadata, providing a comprehensive viewing experience.

MOV files function as containers, meaning they house multiple data tracks within a single file. These tracks can include video and audio, but also text, images, and even effects. This flexibility is especially useful for multimedia presentations, making MOV an ideal choice for those seeking rich media content. The structure of MOV files allows for easy editing, making them a popular choice for professional video editors.

Common Reasons for MOV File Corruption:

1. Improper Shutdowns: Sudden power cuts or system crashes during video recording or editing can lead to MOV file corruption. It interrupts the writing process, leaving the file incomplete and unplayable.

2. Codec Issues: Incompatible or outdated codecs can cause MOV file corruption. Codecs are essential for encoding and decoding audio and video data, and a mismatch can result in file errors.

3. Storage Media Problems: Bad sectors on hard drives or other storage devices can corrupt MOV files. If the data is stored on a failing drive, it’s vulnerable to data corruption.

4. Virus and Malware: Malicious software can infect MOV files, altering their content and rendering them unusable.

5. Software Errors: Errors in video editing software, or using unreliable third-party tools, can damage MOV files. Always use trusted software for video editing.

6. Transfer Errors: Incomplete or interrupted file transfers, especially over network connections, can lead to MOV file corruption.

Tips for Preventing MOV File Corruption:

1. Create backups of your MOV files on an external drive or in the cloud. This ensures you have a safe copy even if the original becomes corrupted.

2. Utilize reputable video editing software to reduce the risk of corruption during the editing process.

3. Keep your video codecs up to date to ensure compatibility and prevent potential corruption.

4. Always shut down your system properly to avoid data loss during video recording or editing.

5. Use antivirus software to protect your computer from malware that can corrupt your MOV files.

6. Scan and repair any bad sectors on your storage devices to prevent data corruption.

Recommended Video Players for MOV Files

1. VLC Media Player (Windows, Mac, Linux): VLC is a versatile open-source media player that supports a wide range of video formats, including MOV. It’s known for its reliability and extensive codec support.

2. QuickTime Player (Mac): Developed by Apple, QuickTime Player is the native player for MOV files on Mac. It provides a seamless playback experience.

3. Windows Media Player (Windows): Windows Media Player also supports MOV files and is readily available on Windows systems.

4. iTunes (Mac and Windows): If you’re looking for a comprehensive media player and library, iTunes is a good choice for playing MOV files on both Mac and Windows.

Interesting Read: How to Repair Corrupt MXF Files?

Conclusion

In this article, we have learned that repairing corrupted MOV video files is not only possible but also relatively straightforward. We have explored five effective methods, from specialized software like Yodot Video Repair to simple tweaks like changing the file extension.