Matroska Video or MKV was created in Russia in 2002, the video file with .mkv extension offers advanced features like storing chapters, subtitles, metadata, etc.
The MKV video file format is commonly when there is a need to compress HD video files without losing the quality and it’s compatible with all the modern devices you can name.
All this glory doesn’t mean they are foolproof. MKV files can get damaged by sudden power outages, virus attacks, bad sectors on the storage device, file system corruption, and software bugs, or glitches.
So, when the MKV file gets corrupted does it mean it’s the end for the file? Definitely Not. Hang in there, There are sure-shot ways to get your MKV Video files back to their normal state.
Continue reading to find quick fixes to repair the broken or damaged MKV Video files.
Quick Fixes to Repair Damaged MKV Files
You don’t have to jump to the conclusion that your MKV video is corrupt. Sometimes, there may be other issues that are stopping MKV video from playing normally.
- Try a different media player: Some media players may not support the MKV file format or lack the built-in codecs to support the video play. You can use VLC Media Player, KMPlayer, or MX Player.
- Re-transfer or download again: If you have faced any error messages or video stops abruptly in a particular section, then re-downloading or transferring the file again from the source could solve the problem.
If the above solutions didn’t resolve the problem then it’s a clear indication that the problem is with the MKV video file. You will have to repair the damaged MKV video file directly.
Methods to Repair Corrupt MKV Videos
VLC Media Player
Making use of VLC can help you repair the corrupt AVI files, so we would suggest you change the MKV to AVI and fix your corrupt video file.
Rename the file extension of the MKV video file to AVI and follow the steps below:
- Open VLC, click on Tools, and choose Preferences.
- Now go to the Input or Codecs section and select Always Fix next to the Damaged or Incomplete AVI file.
- Now click on Save
Now try playing the converted AVI file, it should be playing without any issues.
MKVtool Nix
Use the free and open-source collection of tools MKVtool Nix to create and modify the MKV files. Available on both Windows, macOS and Linux
Though it doesn’t have repair capabilities like dedicated video repair software, you can salvage some of the indirect approaches to fix the damaged portions of your MKV video file.
Remuxing: Simply split (demux) and combine (mux) elements of the MKV files to rebuild the container structure. However, this will not fix severe MKV corruption.
Header Repair: Damaged and incomplete headers in MKV files can cause video corruption, Extract the header and edit it to fix those issues and replace it in the MKV file.
Convert to a different File Format: When the issue is with the MKV video codec, then converting the MKV video to a more compatible format like MP4 can be a good option. But MP4 file format would have quality loss.
Also, in case of any unforeseen events you end up seeing a corrupt video file, Make sure you use reputed video Repair software like Yodot Video Repair to fix the corrupt video files.
It is free to download and try on both Windows and Mac.
Troubleshooting Other Common MKV Video Issues
Apart from severe corruption issues, these are some of the common issues that MKV video file users face, and here’s how you can fix them.
1. MKV Has No Sound
When your MKV video file plays without audio, here are some things that you can do about it.
Check the audio settings or output: start with the basic ensure to check if you have muted or turned the volume up.
Also, ensure that the output device is properly connected to the source and has no trouble playing the audio.
Update audio driver
Update the audio drivers to make sure it is not outdated or malfunctioning which is preventing the interactions with the audio device.
- Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
- Right-click on your audio device and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers option.
After the installation try playing the MKV file, it should be resolved. If not proceed with the next.
Windows Troubleshooter
in Windows 10 there is a built-in troubleshooter, including an audio troubleshooter tool. You can use it to fix the no-sound issue on your MKV file. Follow the steps below to get it done:
- Open Settings and Click on Update & Security.
- Choose Troubleshoot and click on Additional troubleshooter.
- Click on Playing Audio and Run the troubleshooter.
2. MKV File Not Playing in VLC
When you have trouble playing MKV video files in the VLC media player, tweak the settings on the media player or reinstall the player to fix this issue.
Update or Reinstall the VLC Media Player
If your VLC player is outdated, uninstall the existing one and install the new version to prevent issues that stops the MKV video from playing.
Reset the VLC Preferences
When there are any misconfigurations on the player settings, reset the preferences to default and try playing the MKV Video File, Here’s how you do it:
- Open the VLC player, click on Tools, and choose Preferences.
- Select Hotkeys and click Reset Preferences.
- Click on OK in the pop-up box to confirm your choice.
Disable the Hardware Decoding
Turn off the hardware decoding which could conflict with the system drivers and prevent VLC playing your MKV files from playing smoothly.
- Go to Preferences.
- Choose Input/Codecs and choose Disable from the drop-down next to Hardware-accelerated decoding.
- Click on Save to apply the changes.
Once the changes are applied, Close and reopen the VLC media player. Now try playing the MKV Video files.
Minimize the risk of losing your precious MKV video files to corruption by taking proactive measures, continue reading the next section to learn about such tips to help you in the long run.
Tips to protect MKV Video corruption
- Avoid abrupt shutdowns: Make sure to close the video file properly once after editing or playing the video file to avoid damage. Ensure there is sufficient battery or power backup to avoid sudden shutdowns.
- Backup: take backup of the important MKV Video files to keep them safe, even if the storage device gets corrupted or fails.
- Antivirus software: Use reputed antivirus software to scan your system regularly and keep it protected from viruses damaging your MKV files and other data.
- Proper downloads: Make sure the MKV files are downloaded from reliable sources and avoid interruptions to ensure the file gets completely downloaded.
Conclusion
We conclude the article here with the hope that you were able to repair the MKV file, Feel free to try the solutions that you feel are more suited for you.
Remember you can avoid corruption issues easily by being mindful when dealing with MKV files, which could save you a lot of time and escape from the unwanted headaches.
