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Read time 9 minutes

Summary: Discover the common causes of corruption in WMV (Windows Media Video) files and the effective solutions to make them playable again. From using built-in Windows tools to third-party software and manual fixes, this article provides step-by-step instructions for users of all levels. Kernel Video Repair will ensure that the corrupted video has uninterrupted playback experience in each video player.

If you’re a Microsoft Windows user, you would be familiar with WMV files. WMV stands for Windows Media Video, which refers to a pack of video codecs and the corresponding video coding formats developed by Microsoft. It is designed to be compatible with all Windows operating systems. Due to their specific specifications and structure, these files are not compatible with macOS, and if you try to play a WMV video on an Apple device, it won’t run.

Instant Solution

Try automated tool Kernel Video Repair to repair corrupt, damaged or crashed WMV video files. The software is compatible with all Windows Media File formats.

Like other video file formats, WMV files can also turn corruption or damaged, and won’t run in Windows Media Player, the default media player for Microsoft Windows. Below, are possible errors or types of corruption that you may face.

  • Error Notification: “file could not be played.”
  • Frozen Frame/Frame Freeze
  • Codec Issue
  • No Sound
  • Crackled Sound & Distorted Sound
  • Video Crash
  • Black Screen
  • Damaged File

When the file is corrupt, it is difficult to identify the type of corruption or media error. To know more about the issues listed above. Read Fixed: Top Five Common Video Errors file is corrupt, it is difficult to identify the type of corruption

Reasons behind WMV File Turning Corrupt:

  • Viruses and malware attacks.
  • Unnecessary faulty add-ons.
  • Video downloaded from unauthorized website.
  • Incomplete video download
  • Accidental shut down

How to Fix Corrupt WMV File Issue?

There are numerous solutions to corrupt WMV file issues on the internet, but many do not work properly. We have covered all the legitimate solutions to fix the issue and give you seamless WMV video-watching experience.

5 effective solutions to fix corrupted WMV video files.

Solution 1: Open the Corrupt WMV File in VLC

VideoLAN Client (VLC) is a powerful technical media player software that supports Windows OS, Linux distributions, and MacOS. VLC has native support for a range of video codecs. For all the media files that fail to open with Windows Media Player or other media players, VLC is the ultimate solution, as it includes additional utilities capable of repairing and opening files with minor corruption.

fails to open with Windows Media Player

You would’ve encountered the error message above no other options remains. Instead of simply closing the error popup and exiting Windows Media Player, try VLC media player. By following the steps outlined below, you can avoid encountering the same error again. The same error won’t bother you anymore; follow the below steps:

Step 1: Right-click on the corrupt WMV file and Open with VLC media player..
VLC media player

Step 2: Your WMV file will play in the VLC media player.
play in VLC

Solution 2: Convert WMV File to MP4 Format

If your WMV video file is not playing smoothly, try to change the format to see whether it’s playing. Occasionally, some video players cannot play some formats.

You can choose a VLC media player to change the format of the video and fix the damages of the video format within a few steps. Follow these steps to convert the WMV file to MP4 format.

  1. Open the VLC media player.
  2. Click on Media and select Convert/Save.Convert file
  3. Tap the Add button and select the corrupt WMV video file. Once the file is loaded, move on to the next step. Click on the Convert/Save dropdown and select Convert.select the corrupt .wmv video file
  4. Select Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4) file format. Click Browse to select a path to save the converted MP4 file and click Start.
    Select Video

    Note: Unless you’re aware of what other settings would do when changed, don’t mess with other options available.

  5. Try playing the converted MP4 file in the Windows Media Player or VLC media player

In extreme video file corruption cases, the above methods won’t perform. VLC is the technical media player and can only fix minor corruption issues related to the video files.

Solution 3: Update the computer driver.

Outdated drivers hardly play some formats of videos; accordingly, update the PC drivers regularly to play a WMV video flawlessly.

Step 1: Press the Windows + X key to launch the Menu.

Step 2: Hit the Device Manager option.
Device Manager

Step 3: Double-tap on Display adapters, then left-click on your graphics card like Inter(R) HD Graphics. Tap on Update Driver Software to update the driver.
Update Driver Software

Step 4: Hit the Search automatically for updated driver software.
Search automatically for updated driver software

Step 5: Your driver will be updated soon. Restart your PC and play your WMV videos.

Kernel Video Repair Tool

The Video Repair Tool offers compatibility with an extensive array of multimedia file formats, such as MP4, AVI, WebM, MPEG, MPEG2, M4V, 3GP, and more. It empowers users to effortlessly resolve various video file corruption and damage issues, all without the need for specialized technical knowledge.

To help you with the repair process, we’ve provided the steps below:

Solution 4: Download the video from an authorized source.

Always download WMV videos from the authorized website and reliable sources. Third-party websites have malware that can corrupt WMV video files.

Solution 5: Download the video again.

When you are doing some work on WMV video files and accidentally your computer gets shut down, WMV video gets corrupted. So, download the video again and enjoy a seamless watching experience.

Severe corruption conditions demand a professional and advanced tool to repair corruption and your video within a few minutes.

Repair corrupt WMV video files with Kernel Video Repair Tool.

The Video Repair Tool is compatible with many multimedia file formats, for example, MP4, AVI, WebM, MPEG, MPEG2, M4V, 3GP, etc. It enables you to fix all formats of video file corruption and damage issues without requiring technical expertise.

  1. Launch the tool.
  2. Tap on the Plus icon to select the corrupt WMV video file. Also, you can use drag-and-drop functions to attach the WMV file.
    Add corrupt video to repair
  3. Browse and select the corrupted and damaged video file for repair.select the corrupted video file
  4. Click the Repair Files button to initiate the repair process.Click on repair
  5. Note: Add a reference healthy video file that will help the tool to give your recovered video file in that healthy and HD format.

  6. Browse the destination path to save the repaired Video files.Select path to save repaired video file
  7. The video file will start repairing. You can view the live status and progress.live status and progress
  8. Your WMV video file is repaired and saved successfully; click Close. You can save the repair report in CSV format.
    File saved successfully

Measures to prevent WMV errors

Preventions will lead you to save your file for the future, and you will know how to deal with these problems and why your WMV file gets corrupted. Here are some major reasons why your WMV files get damaged or corrupted.

  • Install an organic and trustworthy antivirus in your system
  • Avoid occupied memory in your hard drive.
  • Do not rename the WMV file extension
  • Ensure there are no interruptions and power cuts during the transfer of videos.
  • Format your storage card and camera from time to time.
  • Most certainly take backup of all your video files regularly.

Conclusion

Windows Media Video (WMV) video formats are the most valuable formats 2023. Organizations, foundations, and firms share their necessary and informational videos in WMV format. However, WMV videos get corrupted; go through the above-mentioned methods and fix the corrupted WMV video.

However, in rare scenarios where standard troubleshooting methods fail to address multimedia file corruption and damages, you’ll find that it stands out as the best video repair software available, ready to assist you with resolving the issue.

Kernel Video Repair