How do I fix corrupted files?

Video Repair
1

I’m struggling with several corrupted files on my computer. Not sure what caused it, but it happened after a recent software update. These files are important for a project I’m working on, and I need to recover them as soon as possible. Any advice on tools or methods to fix or recover these files?

4

If you’re dealing with corrupted files after a software update, there are a few different approaches you can take to try and fix or recover them. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown that might help:

  1. Identify the File Type:
    First, determine the type of files that are corrupted (e.g., documents, photos, videos). Different tools and methods work better for different file types.

  2. Restore from Backup:
    If you have backups, this is the quickest solution. Check your computer’s backup system or any external backups you might have made. Restore the corrupted files from these backups.

  3. Use Built-in Tools:
    Many operating systems come with built-in tools designed for repairing or recovering files:

    • Windows: You can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type sfc /scannow then press Enter. This will scan and try to repair system files, which could potentially fix the issues:
      sfc /scannow
    • macOS: Use Disk Utility. Open Disk Utility, select your drive, and run First Aid to fix any disk-related issues.

  4. Third-party Software:
    There are several third-party recovery tools that can help recover corrupt files. Some popular ones include:

    • Recuva: Great for recovering from hard drives, memory cards, etc.
    • Stellar Repair for Photo: Specializes in repairing corrupted photos.
    • Clever Online Video Repair: If you have video files that are corrupted, you can use the free online tool available at repair.cleverfiles.com. It’s handy for fixing broken or corrupted video files without needing to install anything on your PC.

  5. Hex Editor:
    If you’re comfortable with technical stuff, you can try using a hex editor to manually repair corrupt files. This method is complex and requires some understanding of file structures.

  6. Check for Software Update Issues:
    Since the corruption occurred post-update, it’s possible the update process itself caused the problem. If other users are facing similar issues, there might be an official fix or a rollback option provided by the software’s developers. Check their forums or support pages.

  7. Run a Chkdsk Scan (Windows Only):
    Running a disk check can sometimes resolve file corruption issues. Open Command Prompt as an admin, then type chkdsk /f and hit Enter. You will need to restart your computer for the scan to work:

    chkdsk /f

  8. Data Recovery Services:
    If the files are extremely crucial and none of the above steps work, you might want to consider using professional data recovery services. These services can be expensive but can retrieve data that most software tools might fail to recover.

  9. Cloud Backups and Restores:
    If you’re using any cloud storage services (like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox), check if they have any version history or backup features. You might be able to roll back to a previous uncorrupted version of your files.

  10. Document and Spreadsheet Tools:

    • MS Office: Microsoft Office applications have built-in repair options. For Word, Excel, etc., go to File > Open, select your file, click the down arrow next to the Open button, and choose “Open and Repair”.
    • Google Docs: If your files are in formats supported by Google Docs, try uploading them to Google Drive and opening them with Google Docs. Sometimes, Google’s online tools can open files that local software cannot.

Specific Instructions for Video Files:

If your corrupted files are videos, which happens often enough, Clever Online Video Repair is a fantastic, free tool that can help. Simply upload your corrupted video to repair.cleverfiles.com and follow the instructions. It’s pretty straightforward and doesn’t require you to download any software.

Precautions for Next Time:

  • Regular Backups: Follow a regular backup schedule. Use both local external hard drives and cloud backup solutions.
  • Safe Software Updates: Always double-check recent updates before applying them. Waiting a few days after a release to see if any major issues are reported is often a good strategy.
  • Antivirus Software: Keep reliable antivirus software running to prevent malware, which can sometimes cause file corruption.

Remember, the key is to act quickly. The sooner you start the recovery process, the higher the chances you’ll get your files back intact. Good luck!

3

First off, bummer about your files—it’s always a nightmare to lose important project stuff. Since they got corrupted after a software update, there are a few things you might try to recover your files.

  1. System Restore: If you’re on Windows, try rolling back to a point before the update. Sometimes it fixes corrupted files or at least puts you in a better position to recover them. Type “System Restore” in your Start menu, follow the steps, and select a date before the update.

  2. Built-in File Repair Tools: For specific file types, there are some built-in repair tools. For Office files, like Word or Excel, you can open them in the program and it might prompt you to repair them automatically. Just open the app, go to “File,” “Open,” select the corrupted file, and then choose the “Open and Repair” option.

  3. Third-Party Software: There are a ton of file repair and recovery tools out there. A fan favorite is Recuva from Piriform. It’s user-friendly and pretty decent at recovering a wide range of files. You might also look into Stellar Data Recovery, which is good but sometimes overkill if you’re just dealing with a few corrupted files.

  4. Clever Online Video Repair: If you’re dealing with video files, you might want to give Clever Online Video Repair a shot. It’s 100% free but kind of limited in features, so it should be fine if your needs are basic.

  5. Disk Check: Run a check on your drives to see if there’re any errors causing the corruption. On Windows, open Command Prompt as an admin and type chkdsk /f followed by the drive letter that’s having issues.

Remember, never save recovered files to the original location; use a different drive or partition to avoid overwriting any data.

Good luck, and fingers crossed you’ll get your files back!

2

Sounds like you’re in a tough spot. First, let’s get real. Why would you even trust a software update to not mess things up? It happens all the time. Anyway, corrupted files can be a nightmare, and fixing them isn’t always straightforward.

Forget the built-in tools; they’re hit-or-miss. For video files, “Clever Online Video Repair” usually works better than most. And it’s not just them, but don’t get your hopes up. You might also try something like Data Rescue or Disk Drill, but don’t expect miracles. Sometimes a corrupt file is just gone, no matter how much you want to scream at your computer.

Next time, maybe back things up before you update anything. Just saying. Good luck.