Have you ever encountered the frustration of a corrupted video file on your Mac, leaving you wondering how to fix your video files? Fear not! In this article, we’ll explore various techniques to repair corrupted video files on your Mac, ensuring you don’t have to give up on your cherished videos.
Possible Reasons Behind Corrupted Video Files
Before we go to the solutions, it’s essential to understand why video files on your Mac may become corrupted. Factors such as sudden power outages, physical damage to media, format problems, low-quality compression, and issues with download sources can all contribute to video corruption. Recognizing these causes is the first step in resolving the issue effectively.
How To Repair Corrupted Video Files on Mac?
Now, let’s explore effective methods to repair damaged video files on your Mac.
Method 1: Try Different Video Player
Explore different media players as an initial troubleshooting step. Instead of relying solely on QuickTime, consider employing open-source alternatives such as VLC Player for Mac. VLC Player is renowned for its compatibility with an extensive array of video file formats, providing a versatile solution for video playback.
Additionally, you may experiment with alternative players to assess whether they can successfully play your video files. This method allows you to determine if the issue is specific to the media player or if there may be other underlying factors affecting video playback on your Mac.
Method 2: Repair Video Files on Mac Using VLC Media Player
For a quick solution, try VLC Media Player, which has a built-in repair feature to fix corrupted AVI, MP4, or MOV video files.
- Open VLC, go to “Preferences,” and select “Input/Codecs.”
- Under “Input/Codecs,” import the corrupt MP4 file.
- Choose “Always fix,” click “Save,” and your video file will be repaired on your Mac.
Method 3: Download Proper Codecs
Ensuring the correct audio and video codecs are in place is crucial for seamless video playback across various media players. Instances of errors such as ‘video file cannot be played’ or ‘codec is required to play this file’ may arise when the necessary codecs are absent or if the codecs are unsupported.
To address this, it is advisable to download the specific codec tailored to your video file type. In cases of uncertainty regarding the required codec, a practical solution is to opt for a codec pack compatible with macOS, such as K-Lite. This comprehensive codec pack encompasses a wide range of codecs, catering to the diverse needs of commonly used video file formats. By integrating the appropriate codecs, you enhance the likelihood of resolving playback issues and ensuring a smooth viewing experience on your Mac.
Method 4: Change File Extension for VLC Repair
Consider changing the file extension if you use VLC’s repair feature for AVI files.
- Right-click the file, select “Get Info,” and click “Name & Extension.”
- Change the file extension in the “Name & Extension” text bar.
Method 5: Repair the Video File Using QuickTime Player
As Video files are typically associated with QuickTime, many users rely on QuickTime Player to play them on Mac computers. Similar to VLC, if you encounter corrupted or damaged video files, QuickTime Player can be used to repair them.
Follow the steps below to make your video file playable again on your Mac using QuickTime Player:
- Launch QuickTime 7 Player and import the corrupted video file. If the video file is severely corrupted, it may display a black screen error.
- Navigate to the “Windows” tab and select “Show Movie Inspector.” The Movie Inspector will provide detailed information about the video, including Movie FPS, format, pixel information, duration, data rate, size, and more.
- In case the MOV file is damaged, QuickTime Player will show a black screen error message within the metadata of the movie file. You can use this error message to search for the exact error code online and seek further assistance in repairing the video file.
Method 6: Use Mac Video Repair Software
Suppose the above methods fail to repair your corrupted video on your macOS computer. In that case, the only way to repair your corrupted video file on a Mac is to use professional video repair software like SFWare video repair.
This tool is a powerful software designed to fix corrupted videos on a Mac and can easily repair your videos on a Mac with 3 clicks. Here are the steps:
- Download and Install SFWare Video Repair Software on your macOS computer.
- Launch the software and use the “Add File” button to import the corrupted or unplayable video file for repair.
- Select a healthy video file taken with the same camera or device using the “Choose Reference File” option.
- Click the “Repair” button to start the video repair process.
- Wait for the software to complete the repair job.
- Once repaired, Preview the video and Save it to a location of your choice.
Conclusion
Repairing corrupted video files on your Mac is straightforward, thanks to the techniques outlined in this guide. Most video repairs are highly successful whether using SFWare Video Repair or VLC Media Player. Share this informative article on social media to help others overcome the challenge of repairing corrupted video files on their Mac.
