How to Repair and Recover Your Corrupted GoPro Videos

When you’ve just wrapped up an unforgettable adventure, your GoPro was there for every second. Excited to relive the action, you sit down to watch your footage, only to find that it won’t play. Uh-oh-could it be corrupted? It’s a nightmare we’ve all faced at some point, but don’t panic just yet! Whether it’s a corrupted SD card, a glitch during recording, or a hiccup while transferring files, these things happen to the best of us.

But here’s the good news: all is not lost. In this guide, I’m going to show you how to repair corrupted GoPro videos. So, grab your gear, and let’s get your footage back in action!

GUIDE LIST

Part 1. Possible Reasons That Cause GoPro Video Corruption

Part 2. How to Repair Corrupt GoPro Videos

Part 3. FAQs

Part 1. Possible Reasons That Cause GoPro Video Corruption

Before jumping straight into fixing things, it's important to understand why your GoPro videos might get corrupted in the first place. Here are a few possible reasons:

1. File Transfer Errors

If your MP4 GoPro video didn’t properly transfer from your camera to your computer or another device, the file might get corrupted. This is usually caused by a bad connection, a cable issue, or even a sudden disconnection while the transfer is happening.

2. SD Card Issues

GoPro cameras rely heavily on SD cards, and if the card is faulty, full, or improperly formatted, it can easily cause corruption. SD card failure is one of the most common reasons behind video corruption.

3. Battery or Power Issues

If your GoPro camera runs out of battery or shuts off unexpectedly during recording, it could result in corrupted files. It's always best to ensure your battery is charged before filming.

4. File System Errors

GoPro cameras use the FAT32 or exFAT file system, which may get corrupted due to improper ejection from the computer or device. This can lead to issues when trying to open the video.

5. Damaged Video File

Sometimes, a GoPro video file may simply be damaged during the recording process itself, particularly if the camera experienced a sudden shutdown or malfunction.

Now that we know what might cause your GoPro video files to go awry, let’s discuss how to repair them. Fortunately, several solutions are available.

Part 2. How to Repair Corrupt GoPro Videos

1. GoPro SOS Feature

The GoPro SOS feature is a built-in function that helps prevent data loss during recording. It automatically saves the video in case of an error, and the camera should be able to retrieve the data when turned on again. This feature is particularly useful in extreme situations, like if you drop your GoPro into water.

If your GoPro video is corrupted due to an issue while recording, try this first. Here’s how to use it:

While the GoPro SOS feature works in some cases, it isn't foolproof. If you’re still facing issues, don’t worry; there are other ways to repair your files.

2. Convert GoPro Video to AVI and Repair It Using VLC (Recommended: ArkThinker VCU)

If you're familiar with VLC Media Player, you probably know that it’s not just for watching videos; it can also help fix corrupt video files. One easy way to attempt repairing a corrupted GoPro MP4 video is to convert the file to another format, like AVI, and then repair it.

Here’s how to do this:

Suppose the file still doesn't play properly, or you want to convert multiple GoPro video files. In that case, you can use a tool like ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate to fix issues with the newly converted AVI file. It's known for supporting a wide variety of video formats, including GoPro files, and is user-friendly, making it perfect for both beginners and pros.

3. ArkThinker Video Repair

If the previous methods didn’t work, another great tool to consider is ArkThinker Video Repair. This is a professional GoPro video repair tool designed to fix corrupted files, including those recorded with GoPro cameras.

ArkThinker Video Repair is an excellent tool for repairing corrupt GoPro videos. It supports a range of video file formats, including MP4, MOV, and more. The software is known for its easy-to-use interface, which makes the repair process simple, even for those who aren't tech-savvy. Additionally, it uses advanced technology to analyze the structure of damaged videos and attempt to restore them without causing further damage.

Once that’s done, open the program and add the corrupted GoPro video file you want to fix. You’ll also need to upload a sample video from the same source as your damaged file, and this will help make the repair process work smoothly.

I’ve personally used ArkThinker Video Repair a few times, and while I was impressed with how well it worked, there were some things I noticed. The software performed exceptionally well when repairing a single GoPro video file. In fact, the process was smooth, and the repaired video looked just like the original. However, one downside is that it doesn’t support repairing multiple files at once. This is a bit of a hassle if you have a batch of corrupted videos. But for single files, this tool is definitely a top choice.

Part 3. FAQs

Conclusion

That said, always remember to back up your videos regularly and take good care of your SD cards. Hopefully, your next adventure will be free of video corruption!