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Quick Answer: MKV not playing? Try to remux MKV files into MP4 container by using the Convert feature. If that doesn’t work, try the FFmpeg stream copy method to repair MKV files. If your video still displays visual distortion or artifacts, then the corruption is within the video stream itself. You’ll need a video repair tool to fix your video.
MKV videos is a carrier format of high-definition quality videos. Even a small level of corruption could result in permanent damage to your video file. If you are looking for solutions to fix a corrupt or broken MKV file, then we’ve got some effective solutions for you. In this blog, we are going to discuss methods to repair corrupt or broken MKV videos files and why MKV files get corrupt in the first place. Before going for the solution right away, let’s first know what an MKV file is and how to know if it is corrupt.
What is an MKV file and how to know if it is corrupt or broken?
MKV, launched in 2002 in Russia, is a video file format that stands for Matroska Video files. Commonly people know MKV as an audio or video compression format, but they actually are multimedia container formats. This format is not playable for every media player, and hence sometimes it doesn’t play on your regular media player. You know a file is corrupt or broken when it starts behaving differently and shows symptoms like unable to play video, video quality is choppy, jerky, black/white screen appears anytime, video breaks while playing, video freezes anytime, etc. The MKV repair is an easy procedure provided you opt for the right approaches.
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Reasons why MKV files get corrupted
Let’s understand the reasons why MKV files get corrupted:
- File isn’t downloaded properly: Sometimes the problem is not with the video file, but with the medium you are playing it on. If you have an incomplete transfer or downloaded it from a pen drive or any other insecure source, then your file may get broken, and you can face this issue.
- Incorrect video file codecs: Another reason why you can’t play an MKV video on your media player is that you do not have the right codec for it. As we have already discussed, an MKV file isn’t playable in every media player, and it is because not every player has the right codec set for MKV files.
- Outdated graphics drivers: If you have everything right in place (like your file is complete and has no issues, and your media player supports MKV files), and still, you are not able to play the video. It might be happening due to the outdated version of Display Drivers or Video card Drivers.
- Interrupted video transfer: If you have removed an external drive or lost power mid-transfer of MKV file, then it can damage the video structure and corrupt MKV file.
- Damaged storage device: Bad sectors or corruption in the storage device can overwrite the MKV video file data and damage video stream severely.
- Sudden crashes: System crashing in midst of transferring or editing the MKV video file can damage it.
How to repair corrupt MKV files?
The process to repair MKV files is an easy procedure, provided you opt for the right approaches. Let’s look at some quick fixes and then we’ll approach the methods to fix MKV files:
- Recover MKV file from backup.
- Download the MKV file again from the source.
- Try playing the video file in players with built-in codecs like VLC.
- Try playing the MKV file in another compatible media player like VLC or MPV.
Method 1. Remux the MKV files with MKVToolNix
MKVToolNix is a free, cross-platform collection of tools that’s used to inspect, create, and alter MKV files. It can be used to remux the corrupt MFV files and fix any issues with the video timeline or issues related to the video container or metadata. Follow the steps to remux a video file:
- Install MKVToolNix from the official website.
- Open the MKVToolNix utility and choose the Multiplexer.
- Add the corrupt MKV files to the source area and give a name to the output file.
- Click on Start Multiplexing to remux the video file without altering the video quality.
Method 2. Repair MKV files using FFmpeg
FFmpeg method is a popular way to repair corrupt video files by fixing minor container issues. This method repairs the damaged video files without exactly re-encoding the video and audio streams. This helps to preserve the original video quality during the repair process. This method is particularly helpful if the MKV file is corrupted because of damaged metadata, container structure, or corruption within the timestamps of the video.
Method 3. Transcode MKV files with VLC Media Player
Transcoding a corrupt video file can help resolve codec and minor playback issues. In transcoding, VLC re-encodes the corrupt video file into a separate new file by decoding the video and audio streams of the original video file. Follow the steps to transcode your video file:
- Open the VLC Media Player and click on Media > Convert/Save.
- Add the MKV file and click on Convert/Save.
- In the Profile section, choose MP4 from the dropdown list.
- Click on the Wrench icon beside the list.
- Verify that MP4/MOV is selected in the Encapsulation.
- Browse the destination for the transcoded file and click on Start.
What to do if MKV files are still corrupted?
As stated above, the manual methods work perfectly if the issue is limited to codec incompatibility or minor MKV corruption. But if the damage is within the video or audio stream, then it’s better to use a proper Video Repair tool. This helps to recover as much of the original MKV file as possible, without further damaging the video. Kernel Video Repair is one such option that can easily repair highly corrupted MKV video files and supports videos from different devices like camera, drones, smartphones, etc.
Final note
You first need to identify the extent of damage in your MKV files before trying to repair them. If the corruption is due to improper downloading of the video file or because of unsupported codecs, then it can be repaired easily. However, if the reasons are much more serious like incomplete metadata or corruption in the video structure, then you might need to take professional help. Make sure to backup your video files before attempting the repair to avoid data loss.
Frequently asked questions
A. MKV video files might freeze mid playback because of corruption in timestamps or damaged video streams.
A. This might be happening because of unsupported codecs. Try to play your video files in media players with built-in codecs.
