Why Won't My MOV Files Play?

The MOV video format is widely utilized and is generally supported by most popular multimedia devices, such as Mac, iPod, camcorders, digital cameras, etc. This format is prevalent, particularly among Mac users, due to its full compatibility with the QuickTime/iMovie video player.

However, sometimes .mov files might not play on a PC due to various reasons. In such cases, you need to resolve the MOV playback issue using iMovie/QuickTime. Even Windows users should be aware of how to play .mov files on Windows, as Windows Media Player might encounter the same problem.

What are the possible reasons for MOV files not playing on a PC?

  • Power cuts: Internet disruptions or power failures during the download of MOV files can result in incomplete or damaged files. You can redownload the entire files when an internet connection is available.
  • Bad sectors: MOV files with bad sectors on the hard drive may play incorrectly. Additionally, your computer's specifications might not be sufficient to handle 4K or 8K MOV files. In this case, upgrade and fix your computer's configuration.
  • Changing format: Converting MOV files to a different format could corrupt them. Hence, revert the MOV files to their original file format. If it still doesn't work, download the MOV file again.
  • Outdated drivers: Your media player might not support the MOV format due to being outdated. Install the latest version of MOV-compatible media players.
  • Missing codecs: Some players only support MOV files with MPEG-4, H.264 video, and AAC audio. Without an H265 codec, these devices won't play .mov files. Try installing missing codec packages, converting the video to widely supported h.264 AAC, or using alternative free MOV media players.

Solution 1: Fix Unplayable MOV Videos with Video Repair Software

To enjoy uninterrupted videos, the Fixo Video Repair software can effectively assist in fixing errors within video files. This tool is capable of repairing corrupted videos and is user-friendly.

You can repair MOV files, along with MP4, MOV, M2TS, MKV, MTS, 3GP, AVI, FLV, and M4V files. It also enables the restoration of damaged videos during shooting, recording, transferring, editing, converting, or processing. This comprehensive video repair software helps resolve various video issues and supports advanced video repair. It can fix MOV audio and video synchronization problems, issues with MOV files not opening, MOV files having no sound, and more.

Alright, let's proceed to how to repair a damaged video using the Fixo Video Repair software工具.

Step 1. Open Fixo on your local PC. Click "Video Repair" and add the corrupted MP4/MOV/AVI/MKV/3GP/FLV/MKV/WMV video files by clicking "Add Videos".

Add videos to repair with Fixo

Step 2. Move the cursor over a video and click the "Repair" button to initiate the individual video repair process. If you wish to repair all videos, click "Repair All."

select videos to repair

Step 3. Wait a few minutes for the corrupted videos to be repaired. Click the play icon to preview them. To save an individual video, click the "Save" button next to the play icon. To save all the repaired videos, select "Save All."

save repaired videos in Fixo

Step 4. If the quick repair fails, you should use the advanced repair mode. Click "Advanced Repair" and add a sample video. Select "Confirm" to proceed.

add sample videos to perform advanced repair

Step 5. A list of detailed information about the corrupted and sample videos will appear. Click "Repair Now" to initiate the advanced video repair process. Once the repair is finished, you can preview the videos and click the "Save" button to save the repaired video files to a suitable location.

Click "Repair Now" to initiate the advanced repair process.

If you found these methods helpful, please share this page on social media for those who might also find it beneficial.

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Fix 2. How to Repair .mov Files Online

The Online Video Repair Tool is a free service that repairs damaged videos online. It can rectify videos that no longer play, including those compromised by malware or previous recovery attempts.

Restoring corrupted videos is straightforward with this online video repair tool. It enables you to fix damaged videos recorded on CCTV cameras, videos from NAS servers, drone-shot videos, action camera footage, and more.

Online video repair doesn't necessitate downloading or installing any software. You simply need to visit the website and upload the corrupted videos. Regardless of the operating system you're using, your videos will be restored. Now, follow the tutorial below to rectify non-playable MOV videos using Online Video Repair tool:

Step 1. Upload the MOV video, or you can directly drag and drop the video from its specific location.

upload broken MOV video step 1

Step 2. Enter your valid email address in the box and click "Start Repairing".

upload broken MOV video step 2

Step 3. Wait for some time for the upload to complete.

Note: If it takes a while, feel free to keep this webpage open and attend to other tasks. You will receive an email notification once the repair is complete.

upload broken MOV video step 3

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

upload broken MOV video step 4

If you have successfully repaired damaged videos using the online tool, feel free to recommend it to more users!

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Solution 3: Use VLC to Convert MOV Videos

The VLC media player is an open-source, free software developed by VideoLAN. It supports a broad array of multimedia file formats. VLC functions both as a player and a video converter, as it includes an integrated conversion tool, which sets it apart from many other media players.

For a Windows PC, MOV might not be the ideal format. However, if you have VLC, you can easily convert .mov videos with its help or even carry out the VLC video repair. To learn how to convert MOV to MP4 on a PC using VLC, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open VLC Media Player and click on the "Media" tab.

Step 2. Select the "Convert/Save" option from the context menu.

Open the "Convert/Save" option in VLC. (No translation needed for the image.)

Step 3. In the Open Media dialog box, click the "Add" button and choose the MOV file you wish to convert. After that, click the "Convert/Save" button to start the conversion process.

Select the MOV file to convert.

Step 4. In the Convert popup window, select "Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4)" from the Profile dropdown menu. Choose any option based on your video quality and format preferences.

start converting MOV to MP4

Step 5. Click the "Browse" button to select the location where you want to save the converted MOV file.

Step 6. Change the file's extension from .mov to .mp4 and click "Save".

Select MP4 Format for saving.

Step 7. Click the "Start" button to convert the MOV file to an MP4 file.

You can monitor the conversion progress through VLC Media Player's blue progress bar. Once the conversion is finished, your MOV video will be transformed into an MP4 file and saved in the designated destination folder.

Fix 4: Change File Extension to Resolve MOV Not Playing

You might be able to fix the issue of MOV files not playing by altering their file extension. Here are the steps to change the file extension of an MOV file: 1. Locate the MOV file on your computer that you want to change the extension for. 2. Right-click on the file and select "Rename" from the context menu. 3. After highlighting the existing file extension ".MOV," type in a new extension compatible with your media player, such as ".MP4" or ".WMV." Make sure to include the period before the new extension. 4. A warning message might appear, asking if you're sure you want to change the file extension. Click "Yes" or "Continue" to proceed. 5. The file icon might change to reflect the new file type. 6. Try playing the file with your media player again to see if the issue is resolved. Please note that changing the file extension doesn't always convert the file format. If the file is not compatible with the new extension, it may not play correctly or at all. In such cases, using a reliable video conversion tool to convert the MOV file to a compatible format is recommended.

Step 1. Begin by creating a copy of the problematic MOV file. Right-click on the copied MOV file and select "Properties" from the context menu.

Step 2. Rename the file extension from .mov to .avi and click "OK". Confirm the change by clicking "Yes" on the prompt window that appears.

Change AVI extension

Step 3. Launch VLC Media Player and click on the "Tools" tab. From the drop-down menu, select "Preferences."

Select Preferences from the VLC Tools menu: Choose preferences from VLC Tools menu

Step 4. Click the "Input/Codecs" option in the Simple Preferences window.

Step 5. Click the drop-down box next to the "Damaged or incomplete AVI file," and select the "Always fix" option from the drop-down menu.

Select Codec to fix AVI file

Step 6. Click the "Save" button. Next, open the .avi file and check if it's working.

If any of these solutions worked for you, kindly share this article on social media with others who might be searching for fixes to a similar issue, and you can also use the same methods to repair MP4 files.

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Fix 5: Repair Corrupted MOV with QuickTime on Mac

Were you aware that you can use the QuickTime Player to repair corrupted MOV files on your Mac? It's important to understand that QuickTime uses the MOV file format to store and play video files, and it functions seamlessly on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

However, there could be several reasons why MOV files fail to play on QuickTime. Fortunately, you can easily resolve this issue by following the steps outlined below:

Step 1. Use QuickTime to open the corrupted MOV file.

Step 2. From the top menu bar, select the Windows option.

Step 3. Choose Show Movie Inspector from the dropdown menu.

Open Show Movie Inspector

Step 4. Wait for the inspection window to arrive.

Step 5. You will be able to view the information you need.

Step 6. Search for the error code message. If there's any error that can be resolved, you will find it here.

fixed file

If you've encountered issues with an MOV file not playing on a Mac, you can find additional solutions in the following passage:

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MOV files won't play on Mac

MOV Files Not Playing on Mac? Top 5 Solutions

One prevalent issue that frustrates Mac users, aside from QuickTime Player failing to load MOV files, is when MOV files don't play on Mac. Read more >>

"MOV Won't Play" FAQs

Do you have more queries about why MOV files aren't playing on your PC? Browse through the frequently asked questions and their solutions below:

1. Why are my MOV videos not playing?

The MOV files might be corrupted, for instance, you might be unable to play it on QuickTime due to a missing essential video component. The MOV file won't play if the End of File (EOF) or header is missing or damaged. A frozen frame is another common issue that could prevent the MOV file from playing, which occurs when the file is interrupted during downloading.

2. What software can play MOV files?

You can play the MOV file using various media players, and most of these are free. Examples include VLC Media Player, QuickTime Player, Windows Media Player, 5KPlayer, PotPlayer, KMPlayer, and more.

3. How do I open an MOV file that won't open?

To resolve the issue of an MOV file not playing or not opening, you can尝试 several remedies. These include using VLC to attempt online repair of faulty MOV files, employing a professional video repair tool like the Fixo Video Repair software, utilizing QuickTime to mend the damaged file, exploring different MOV file extensions, increasing VLC's cache settings, and so on.

4. Can I convert MOV to MP4 using VLC?

Yes, you can convert an MOV file to an MP4 using VLC Media Player. VLC provides a Convert option that allows users to transform MOV files into Video H.264 + MP3 (MP4) format. The conversion time will vary depending on the size of the MOV files.

Conclusion

If you fully understand these solutions, repairing damaged MOV files won't be difficult. If none of the other methods work for you, try using the Fixo Video Repair software or the Online Video Repair online tool. These applications are user-friendly, free, and highly recommended by numerous users. Simply upload your files, and the tool will take care of the rest. We hope you've grasped these solutions and attempted to resolve the issue of the MOV file not playing on your computer.