MOV is a popular video file format developed by Apple for the QuickTime framework, and it’s known for its high quality and compatibility with both macOS and Windows. Despite being a reliable format, sometimes you may encounter issues when your MOV video file gets corrupted or becomes unplayable. This can be frustrating, especially if the video holds valuable or memorable content.
Luckily, several video repair methods are available online that you can apply to repair MOV files, but repairing those files without losing the quality is more important.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Common reasons for MOV video corruption
- Signs of a damaged MOV file
- Methods to repair MOV video files without compromising quality
- Preventative tips to avoid MOV file corruption in the future
Let’s get started!
Common Causes of MOV File Corruption
Understanding the exact reason for your video corruption is important; as it can help you avoid similar issues in the future. Some common reasons why MOV files become corrupted are:
- Interrupted Transfers: Sometimes, the transfer process gets interrupted due to sudden power failure or lost internet connection, which can corrupt your video files.
- Virus or Malware Attack: Malicious software such as viruses or malware can alter or damage files on your system, including MOV files.
- Bad Sectors on Hard Drives or Memory Cards: Storing files on storage drives with bad sectors can lead to corruption.
- Improper Shutdown: If your computer shuts down unexpectedly while accessing a MOV file, it can lead to damage.
Signs of a Damaged MOV Video File
Now that you are familiar with the reasons for your corrupt MOV video file, it’s time to apply adequate video repair methods to fix it. Before jumping into video repair solutions, whether your MOV file is corrupted or not. Here are some symptoms of a damaged file:
- Playback Issues: The video may lag, freeze, or refuse to play at all.
- Distorted Visuals or Audio: Your video might play normally but with distorted visuals or audio.
- File Errors: You may encounter error messages like “This file cannot be opened,” “Error loading media file,” or “Unsupported file format.”
If you notice any of the above issues, it’s important to immediately apply the video repair methods.
Quick Methods to Repair MOV Files Without Losing Quality
In this part of the blog, we’ll explore some quick and effective workarounds that you can try to repair corrupt/damaged MOV video without losing its quality. Just go with these methods one-by-one to play your video smoothly:
Method 01: Update the Graphics Driver
Let’s start with the simplest method first. If you are unable to play video on your device, then an outdated graphics driver might be the reason. In such cases, you can try updating the graphic driver to play MOV files once again. For this:
- Right-click on the Start button located on the bottom left corner of your screen and select Device Manager.
- Click on Display adapter, right-click on Graphics driver and choose the Update Driver option.
- Select the “Search automatically for drivers” option from the pop-up window that appears.
- After updating the driver, try to play your MOV video file in the media player.
Method 02: Convert MOV Files to Another Format
Converting a MOV file to another format can sometimes bypass corruption and make the file playable again. You can use any online converter or third-party software such as HandBrake for this purpose. However, this method may lose your video quality but it is slightly convenient and easy to apply.
Method 03: Repair MOV Video Using VLC Media Player
VLC is a versatile media player that not only plays video files but also performs minor file repairs. There are several ways in which you can use this media player to fix your corrupt video files. Here’s how to use it:
- Firstly, locate and right-click on the MOV video file that you need to repair. Select the Rename option and rename the extension from MOV to AVI.
- Now, open this video in the VLC media player, click on the Tools tab from the top menu bar and choose Preferences.
- Go to the Input/Codecs tab and select “Always Fix” from the drop-down menu next to the Damaged or incomplete AVI option.
Once done, try playing your video on the VLC player or any different media player to check whether it is playing.
Method 04: Repair MOV Files Using FFmpeg
For advanced users, FFmpeg is a powerful, open-source tool for video processing. While it requires some technical knowledge, it’s a great option for repairing MOV files without compromising quality. All you have to do is:
- Download and install FFmpeg on your device.
- Launch Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) and enter the following command: ffmpeg -i input.mov -c copy output.mov (replace input.mov with the name of your corrupted file and output.mov with the desired output file name).
- FFmpeg will copy the video and audio streams to a new file, which may resolve corruption issues.
Method 05: Use Third-Party Video Repair Software
Some specialized third-party video repair software such as Stellar Repair for Video is designed for repairing MOV files corrupt or damaged due to multiple reasons. Not only MOV, you can use this tool to fix corrupt videos of several other file formats, including MP4, AVI, MKV, MJPEG, WMV, FLV, 3G2, 3GP, and many more.
The Stellar Repair for Video software supports the repairing of video files stored on any internal or external storage devices, such as hard drives, USB drives, SSDs, HDDs, etc. This all-in-one video repair software is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices. You just need to download and install this software on your device and follow the three steps recovery process to repair MOV video without losing its quality:
- Download and install the Stellar Repair for Video tool on your device. Launch the software and from the homepage, click Add Videos to upload the video files that you need to repair.
- Click the Repair button to initiate the repairing process and wait till it completes.
- Once the repair is completed, preview the repaired videos and click the Save Repair Files button to save them at the desired location.
Note: The Stellar Repair for Video software is available in multiple versions. Check and compare their features and select the one that best fits your requirements.
Preventive Tips to Avoid MOV File Corruption
Once you’ve successfully repaired your MOV file, taking preventative measures can help you avoid future corruption issues. Here are some tips:
- Back-Up Your Files Regularly: Save multiple copies of your video files to multiple devices or cloud storage services like Google Cloud, iCloud, etc.
- Avoid Interruptions: Do not disconnect devices or shut down your computer while transferring or saving files.
- Update Media Players and Software: Keep your media players and editing software up to date for better compatibility with the latest file formats.
- Install Anti-Virus Software: Protect your files from malicious software such as viruses or malware by using a trusted antivirus program.
Final Thoughts
Repairing a MOV video without losing quality is possible, especially with the right video repair software tools and manual techniques. Start with simple methods like updating the graphic driver, using VLC player, and then move on to specialized video repair software if needed. With regular backups and careful handling, you can keep your videos safe and prevent future corruption.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to repair and preserve your MOV files, ensuring they remain in excellent condition for years to come.
Author Bio
Vishakha Singh is a Senior Writer at Stellar with half a decade of experience in writing content in diverse verticals. She loves creating photo/video recovery & repair tutorials. Vishakha also specializes in writing full-blown iPhone and Android guides. Vishakha Singh is attached with Stellar as a Senior Content Writer. She is a technology enthusiast and a Computer Science graduate who loves to share data recovery tutorials and DIY tips for Windows systems and storage drives. She loves exploring new technologies and aims to make her readers’ tech life easy and enjoyable.