Summary: Is your MKV video corrupt, broken, jerky, out-of-sync, choppy or truncated? Are you getting “Corrupt or unsupported file” messages Or are you unable to play MKV files in your media player? Read on this post to know how to repair corrupt MKV files and make unplayable videos playable again.
Contents
MKV videos are Matroska Multimedia Container formats that include video, audio, and subtitles. Commonly used to store movies and TV shows, MKV files may get corrupt or damaged during transfer, download or sharing. However, the good part is that these videos can be repaired and restored to their original form.
How to repair corrupt MKV video files
When any video file gets corrupt including MKV, the only assured way is to repair it with the help of a secure third-party software such as Stellar Repair for Video.
However, if the MKV file format is not playing in the media player, they may not be necessarily corrupt. The possibility is the media player does not support MKV format. Thus, before moving onto a video repair software solution, you should try a few workarounds:
Workarounds to fix Corrupt MKV videos in any Media Player
1. Download Compatible Codecs
Not all media players support MKV file format, due to absence of supporting codecs. You have two options either –
- Play in a media player that has a compatible codec or
- Download the MKV compatible codecs
You can use VLC Media Player, MKV Player, KMPlayer, or DivX Player etc., to play MKV videos.
If you prefer Windows Media Player or other non-supporting media player, download the compatible codec. Just ensure you install codecs from a trusted and secure source to avoid any malware.
2. Upgrade video card drivers
Often outdated video card drivers on your system prevent the videos to play properly. Although recent driver for Windows is automatically downloaded with Windows update, still if you face video playing issues, visit the below page to get updated Windows drivers: Update Drivers.
3. Download MKV files again
Incomplete video download, sudden power cut or any other interruption during the transfer of files can also corrupt videos. Try downloading the videos again from the source.
Unable to play videos by using any of the above methods?
Your videos are corrupt. Repair MKV files with the help of Stellar Repair for Video
Stellar Repair for Video is a powerful yet an easy-to-use software to repair corrupt MKV videos shot with digicam, drone, and mobile phone etc. Stored in any SD card, memory card, flash drive, or HDD, the software fixes visual and audio corruptions in the truncated or damaged videos.
Key benefits of Stellar Repair for Video
- Easy to use
- Repair multiple MKV videos in one go
- Preview before saving repaired videos
- Save videos at your desired location
- Fix severely corrupt MKV files
- Repair files recovered from corrupt drive
Step-by-step: How to repair MKV files with Stellar Repair for Video
- Step 1: On the main interface of the software click Add File.
- Step 2: Click Repair to fix the added corrupt MKV videos.
Note: The repairing process starts. You can also click on the Stop button to discontinue the repair process anytime.
- Step 3: Once the repair completes, preview the videos by clicking on Preview option. Click Save Repaired File to save the videos at your desired location.
Conclusion
Whenever you come across MKV videos that are not playable, first ensure that the computer and media player meets the system/codec requirements. There are chances that the video playability issue is resolved after downloading a suitable codec pack for MKV files, upgrading video card drivers, or simply copying the files again.
If these workarounds do not work, it indicates the videos are corrupt, which can be fixed with the help of a software. Apart from faster processing and convenience, video repair software tools offer repair features to also restore severely corrupt videos.
About The Author
is a Writer who likes to blog about technology. She has a keen interest in Data Recovery, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. An avid reader, she has also contributed to some leading newspapers and dreams to own a library some day.
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It was nicely explained. Thank you. Can I use VLC to fix such MKV files?
Hi Goldie,
You can try using the VLC media player to fix MKV files.
It gives me immense pleasure to help our readers in better ways to get a solution to their problems. Mark our blogs/article section as your favorite, and stay tuned for more valuable updates.
Tried your software and it said it needed advanced repair, but when I ran advanced repair it just went back to menu and kept saying it needed advanced repair. Sadly I removed your software and an still in the hunt for something to repair my broken mkv file.
Hi Keith
You are receiving ‘Advance Repair option’, as the files must be severely corrupt. Click on ‘Advance Repair’ option, a dialog box will appear that asks you to share sample files. A sample file should be of MKV format from the same camera as your corrupt MKV video. Next, follow the on screen instructions. you should be able to repair your corrupt MKV videos.
If the problem continues, contact our support team.
I had a couple of file that had a .webm extension and couldn’t play the audio sound is fine but the video is only freeze frames, May I know your software can correct this issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
HI Emanuel, We would like to inform you that our software works on “what you see is what you can repair”. That means the files will be repaired in the same manner as you were able to see them in the preview window after the scanning is complete.
I had recently upgrade windows 10 unfortunately, I noticed some of video file not play that extension .mkv in VLC or any other video player. Its play on my system which is still running same OS. Is there a fix?
Hi Natalie, Please update the Windows or drivers of your system/computer OR reinstall the updated VLC video player. Thanks!
I had a couple of .mkv files for the first time and when attempting to play them in Mplayer they work fine but for a while in the middle video disappear with no error messages. I used these video file play on VLC but issue same point in the videos. Is there any way to fix these files?
Hi Alan, Yes you can fix these files with the help of our software. I suggest you can try our software demo version and see the preview of repaired files.
I just downloaded VLC but I can’t hear the sound when I try to watch videos from school. Can you please help me so that i can fix? Thanks!
Hi Jorge, you can try our software demo version and see the preview of your repaired videos files. Thanks!
Hi, I had the same issues with .mkv files won’t play on VLC and I’ve followed the above instructions as you mentioned on your post. Thanks for sharing a useful Information!
Hi Peter, Thanks for reading our blog. Keep reading for our next update!
I had a bunch of .mkv files in a folder, I found your software on internet. I used this software on my corrupted video files, it worked fine for me. Thanks you very much!
Hi Richard, Thankyou!