MOV is a standard multimedia container format developed by Apple for storing video, audio, timecode, text tracks, and more. Although it's considered a QuickTime file, MOV files are actually compatible with both Windows and Mac platforms and are known for their high quality, making this file format widely used for storing videos, movies, and more.

When you cannot play MOV video files, they might be corrupted. In such a case, you need a MOV repair solution, which we will discuss on this page. If your MOV file is damaged, pick the best MOV repair tool and learn how to play the video again on Windows, Mac, or even online.

3 Quick Ways to Repair Damaged MOV Files

Depending on the reason behind the unplayable MOV file, here are some quick fixes that can help you repair MOV files right away:

Repair MOV File

1. Update and restart the media player > Re-import the MOV file and play it again. 2. Download the MOV file online again > Re-import the MOV file into the media player and play it. 3. Run a virus scanner to clean any existing or dormant viruses and malware from your device.

If none of the above methods work, don't worry. Choose one MOV repair tool from our recommendations and follow the tutorial below to get your MOV file playing normally again.

How to Repair Corrupted MOV File that Won't Play?

Many music and movie lovers prefer saving high-definition videos and movies in MOV format. Hence, many of them are clueless about how to deal with MOV video files that won't play on Windows, Mac computers, or even their phones.

If you come across any of the situations listed below, there are high chances that your MOV file format has become corrupt:

Case 1 - How to Fix a Video that Won't Play

"Is there any way to fix a video that won't play on a Windows computer? I purchased a .mov music video online, and it was working fine yesterday."

This morning, I tried to play it with Windows Media Player, and it wouldn't work. It's also not playing in Groove or any other media players. How do I fix this?

Scenario 2 – How to Repair MOV File on SD Card

"I shot some videos over the weekend with my DJI MAVIC and had set the camera to record in MOV format."

These videos play fine on the camera. However, none of them play when I copy them to my computer. The videos on the camera's SD card seem to be corrupted. How can I fix them? Please help."

Case 3 - How to Fix .MOV File on Mac

"Does anyone know how to fix .mov files on a Mac? I was watching a movie on QuickTime yesterday. After around 5 minutes, QuickTime Player crashed for no reason."

I restarted the player to continue with the movie, but it just wouldn't play. Is my MOV file corrupted? How can I fix .mov file on Mac?”

Reasons for MOV Damage

Knowing the reasons that lead to MOV file corruption is beneficial to repair MOV files.

Check out the common reasons for MOV corruption and then find the right way to repair MOV file:

    • Unexpected media player crash
    • Sudden OS shutdown
    • Interrupted or incomplete download
    • Improper transfer
    • Malware or virus infection
    • Damaged header
    • CRC error – the xxx.mov file won't open
    • Corrupted audio
    • And so on.

So, how would you fix or repair a corrupt MOV file on your own?

Top 6 MOV Repair Tools and Software Recommendations

In the following content, you will get to know the top 6 MOV repair tools that can help you easily and effectively fix corrupted MOV files.

Check out and learn how you can make your corrupted MOV and other video files playable again.

Applies to: Free fix for MOV files not playing on Windows or Mac.

Let's start with an online repair solution - RepairVideo by tools. It's designed for users to fix corrupted videos from cameras, dashcams, CCTV, and video recording software, among others. Most importantly, this online tool is now completely free. Key features of RepairVideo by tools include:

    • Repair corrupted videos at a fast pace.
    • Supports almost all major video formats, such as MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, and more.
    • Covers various video corruption scenarios, including damage during editing, conversion, and after recovery.

Now you can visit the Tools RepairVideo website and follow the steps mentioned below to learn how to fix MOV file online.

< strong > Step 1. Upload MOV video, or you can drag and drop the video from a specific location.

Upload Damaged MOV Video Step 1

Step 2: Enter your valid email address in the field provided and click on "Start Repair."

Upload Damaged MOV Video Step 2

Step 3. Wait for the upload to complete.

Note: If this takes a while, you can keep this page open and do other things. You'll get an email when the repair is done.

Third Step to Repair Damaged MOV Video

Step 4. Check your email for the retrieval code. Enter the retrieval code and download your repaired MOV video.

Repair Damaged MOV Video Step 4

Method 2: Repair MOV File with VLC for Access Permissions

Applies to: Fix MOV files not playing on both Windows and Mac for free.

Best for: VLC users.

For most VLC users, you can relax when your MOV video files get damaged. You can effectively repair and fix a corrupted MOV video yourself using the VLC Media Player.

Please refer to the relevant hints here and follow the instructions to make your MOV video file playable again:

Tutorial - How to Fix MOV Files on Windows with VLC

Note that the Mac version of VLC is similar to its Windows counterpart. If you're a Mac user, you can also follow the instructions in this guide to fix a corrupted MOV file.

Step 1: Install and run VLC media player. Click on “Media” and then select “Convert/Save.”

Open VLC

Step 2: Click the “Add” button, browse and load your MOV file, and then click “Convert/Save”.

Step 3: In the Settings, choose your preferred codec from the dropdown, such as MP4. Rename the target file and click Create.

Import Damaged MOV

Step 4: Choose a new location to save your file, then click "Start."

Step 5: Click “Preferences” from the main VLC menu.

Step 6: Under the Damaged or Incomplete AVI File section, select Always repair, and then click Save.

Step 7. You should now be able to play your corrupt .mov file in VLC.

After that, try playing the new video file to see if it works correctly. If it does, you can export and save it to another safe location on your computer.

If not, don't worry – you can still try out the other tools recommended on this page.

Method 3: Repair Damaged MOV Files Using QuickTime

Applicability: Fixes corrupted MOV videos on both Windows and Mac.

Best for: QuickTime users.

Since MOV is typically considered a QuickTime file, most users play it on Windows and Mac computers with QuickTime Player. Similar to VLC, you can run QuickTime Player to fix your MOV video when it's corrupted or unplayable.

Follow the steps to learn how to use QuickTime to make your MOV files playable on your computer again.

Guidelines to Repair Damaged MOV Files using QuickTime

Here, we will show you the process to fix corrupted MOV files on Mac using QuickTime Player 7.

If you're a Windows user with the right version of QuickTime installed, you can also try this MOV repair process.

Step 1: Launch QuickTime 7 Player and import the corrupt MOV file into this player.

Black screen errors occur when the video file is severely corrupted.

Step 2: Click the Windows tab, then click “Show Movie Inspector.”

Open QuickTime

The Movie Inspector shows you all the details of your video, including the FPS, movie format, pixel information, duration, bit rate, size, and more.

Check the MOV file

Step 3: If the MOV file is corrupt, QuickTime Player displays a black screen error message with detailed information in the movie file's metadata.

You can search online for the exact error code to get more assistance in repairing the MOV file.

Or, you could try either of the two MOV repair methods given below for a shot.

Method 4: Repair MOV files for free online with Online Converter

Available for: Free MOV repair for Mac, Windows, and online.

Best for: Users of all levels.

Aside from using video repair tools and media players, you can also seek help from online video repair tools.

Here, we recommend you try Online Converter, a free online video converter tool. Although it's primarily a video converter, it also offers video repair features, such as fixing MP4 videos, MOV videos, 3GP videos, and more.

As long as you have a web browser on your computer or mobile device, you can immediately seize the chance to fix a corrupted video file.

Title: How to Repair MOV Files Online for Free: A Step-by-Step Guide Introduction: When you encounter corrupted or unplayable MOV files, it can be frustrating, especially if they contain precious memories or important footage. Fortunately, there are online tools available that can help you repair these files for free. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of using an online converter to fix your MOV files with UTF-8 encoding. Step 1: Choose a Reliable Online MOV Repair Tool First and foremost, it's crucial to select a trustworthy and secure online converter. Look for one that has positive user reviews, is updated regularly, and guarantees privacy. Some popular options include Online-Convert.com, File Repair Online, and Repair.io. Step 2: Access the Website Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the website of the online converter you've chosen. Make sure you're connected to a stable internet connection for smooth file transfer. Step 3: Select the MOV File Repair Option On the converter's homepage, look for the option to repair MOV files. This might be under a "Video Repair" or "File Repair" section. Click on the corresponding button to proceed. Step 4: Upload Your MOV File Now, you need to upload the corrupted MOV file from your computer. Click on the "Choose File" or "Browse" button and locate the file in your system. If the online tool supports multiple file uploads, you can repair several MOV files simultaneously. Step 5: Check File Information Before starting the repair process, some online converters may display the file information, such as size and duration. Verify that the correct file is selected, and then proceed to the next step. Step 6: Start the Repair Process Once you've confirmed the file details, click on the "Start Repair" or "Convert" button to initiate the repair process. This may take a few minutes, depending on the size of your file and the speed of your internet connection. Step 7: Save the Repaired MOV File Upon completion, the online converter will provide you with a download link for the repaired MOV file. Ensure your download location is set correctly, and click on the "Download" button. It's recommended to save the repaired file in a separate folder for easy access. Step 8: Verify the Repaired MOV File After downloading, open the repaired MOV file using a media player like VLC or QuickTime to check if the video is now playing correctly. If the issue persists, consider using alternative repair methods, such as dedicated desktop software or professional assistance. Conclusion: Repairing MOV files online can be a convenient solution when dealing with corrupted files. Just remember to choose a reliable service, be cautious with your personal data, and verify the results thoroughly. With these steps, you should be able to restore your damaged MOV files back to their original glory.

Step 1. Go to the Online Video Converter – Repair MP4 page.

Step 2: Click on “Select File” button to choose the corrupt MOV video that needs to be repaired and a healthy video with same format from the same device as reference file.

Corrupted MOV Upload

Step 3: After uploading the corrupted and a normal MOV video file, click on “Repair”.

Repair Corrupted MOV

Step 4. Once the conversion is done, click “Download Now” on the new page.

The repaired MOV file will be saved as an MP4 file with the name ***_fixed.mp4.

Note that the maximum video size is 200 MB. If your MOV video is larger than 200 MB, you might need to try other paid online video repair tools or the solutions above for assistance.

Method 5: Repair Corrupted MOV Files using Fixo Video Repair Tool

Applies to: Repair MOV files on Windows and Mac.

BEST FOR: Users of all levels – beginners, hobbyists, professionals.

When MOV files fail to play or get corrupted on your computer, you might need to resort to a reliable MOV repair tool. Fixo Video Repair is a utility that helps users of all levels efficiently fix damaged MOV video files on storage devices.

It efficiently repairs damaged or lost MOV, MP4 video files from the latest cameras (Canon, GoPro, DJI, etc.) on an SD card.

What else can the Fixo tool do for you besides repairing MOV files?

- Repair corrupt JPEG, JPG files

Repair Corrupted MP4 File

Repair Corrupted GIF

Follow the MOV Repair Tutorial and get your MOV file back to normal:

Repair MOV files on Windows:

Step 1: Launch Fixo on your local PC. Click on “Video Repair” and then add the corrupt MP4/MOV/AVI/MKV/3GP/FLV/WMV video file by clicking on “Add Video”.

Repair videos with Fixo

< strong > Step 2. Hover the pointer over the video you want to fix and click the "Repair" button to start the single video repair process. Click "Repair All" to fix all videos.

Select the video to repair Select the video to repair

Step 3: Wait for a few minutes while the software repairs the damaged video. Preview the video by clicking on the Play button. To save an individual video, click the “Save” button next to the Play icon. To save all the repaired videos, click “Save All.”

Save the repaired video in Fixo

Step 4. If the Quick Fix fails, you should try the Advanced Repair mode. Click on “Advanced Repair” and add a sample video. Click “Confirm” to proceed.

Add sample video for advanced repair

Step 5: A list of corrupted and sample videos will be displayed. Click on "Repair Now" to start the advanced video repair process. Once done, you can preview the video and save it to an appropriate folder by clicking the "Save" button.

Click "Repair Now" to start the advanced repair.

Repair MOV file on Mac:

The process of fixing MOV video files on a Mac is the same as on Windows. So, if you're a Mac user, make sure you've downloaded the right version and follow these steps to repair your corrupted MOV:

Note: You can create a backup first by clicking on “Disk Backup” on the left. The software will extract the damaged videos from the backup image and fix them. It prevents the files from getting further damaged, making it safer and more reliable.

Step 1: Add Your Damaged/Corrupted Video

Launch the Mac Video Repair Wizard. Click “Add” or simply drag and drop the damaged MP4/MOV/AVI/MKV/3GP/FLV/MKV/WMV video files to the repair list.

Repair Video on Mac - Step 1

Step 2. Start Repairing the Video File

Select the damaged video files from the list and click on the “Repair” button to start the video repair process. If you want to fix all videos, click on “Repair All”.

Repair Video on Mac - Step 2

Step 3: Preview and Save the Damaged Video

After a few minutes, you'll see that the damaged video has been repaired. Click “Preview in Finder” to check the videos before clicking “Save To.”

Repair Video on Mac - Step 3

Step 4: Use Advanced Repair Mode

If the video cannot be repaired, it means that the video is severely damaged. You need to proceed with the "Advanced Video Repair" mode, which uses a sample video file to improve the chances of repairing the corrupted video. Click on "Add" to upload your damaged video.

Repair Videos on Mac - Step 4

Step 5: Preview the video and start repairing it

The video repair tool will automatically scan and check your video. When it's done, click on “Start Repair” to fix severely damaged videos.

Repair Video on Mac - Step 5

Finally, you can preview the video in Finder and click the “Save To” button to save the repaired video to a desired location.

Once the process is over, save the repaired MOV to a secure location. You can then reimport it to your media player and enjoy the video again.

Method 6: Manually change/convert MOV file extension to another format

Applies to: Make MOV files playable again by converting or transcoding MOV to another format for free.

BEST FOR: Beginners.

Occasionally, the issue might arise due to the current player not supporting the MOV format. You can try switching media players or converting the MOV file to another format, such as converting MOV to MP4.

To help you out, we've gathered two methods for you: 1. Use an automated video converter; 2. Manually change .mov to .mp4.

Let's look at the details:

#1. Convert MOV files using a Video Converter tool

Professional Video Editor Software - tools Video Editor is designed for users of all levels to edit videos on their own. With it, you can flexibly switch video formats following the steps below.

Of course, converting MOV files to other video formats is also very easy and free.

Step 1: Import the source file

Launch the video editor. On the main screen, you can import your source file by clicking the “Import” option or by dragging the video directly into the designated area.

Import file

Step 2: Add it to your project

You will need to add the imported file to a track by selecting “Add to Project,” or you can drag the video onto a track as needed.

Add to project

Third Step: Export the Source File

Now you can click “Export” in the top menu bar of the screen.

Export

Step 4. Export as MP4/AVI/WMV/MKV/MOV/GIF

Under the 'Video' tab, select the required video file format from the available options.

Add to Project

On the right, you can edit the file name, customize the output folder and settings, and then click “Export”.

Add to Project

#2. Convert MOV files to other formats

Another manual option you could try is to change the MOV file to another format. This is both free and easy.

These steps are for Windows. If you're using a Mac, try these steps on your Mac instead.

Now, let's look at this:

Step 1: Open File Explorer, click on "View," and then click "Options."

Step 2: In the Folder Options window, uncheck the box for Hide extensions for known file types.

Show file extensions before converting MOV to MP4

Step 3: Make a copy of the target MOV file and right click on it to choose “Rename”.

Step 4. Change the extension of your video file from .mov to .mp4. Click “OK” to confirm the change.

Convert MOV to MP4 with a manual method

After the conversion, you can try to open and play the video on your computer again.

Conclusions

This article introduces six MOV repair tools that you can try to fix corrupted MOV files or other video files on your computer.

Before you begin修复MOV files, we recommend trying the quick fix solutions first. If the MOV file still won't play, try using a Data Recovery Wizard or an online video repair app for assistance.

Should you have other video or image repair needs, the Data Recovery Wizard tool can also come in handy. Don't hesitate to give this software a try whenever you lose files or your media files get corrupted from your device.