How to Repair Corrupt Raw Files on Mac
Summary: Repairing photos is always a task; you cannot just about use any method to repair your precious pictures. When it comes to RAW photos, they are extra sensitive because of the high-quality uncompressed version, which makes them best to edit but not so easy to repair.Here, you can learn how to repair corrupted RAW photos in your MacBook.
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‘I took about 100 shots in RAW using my Nikon D500 on a 4GB SD card. The pictures were fine on camera. But when I tried to see NRF files on my Mac after transfer some of them showed a blank screen. I can’t view the pictures in program.’
RAW is the favorite format of photography enthusiasts. These high-quality uncompressed photos are best to edit, correct and enhance creatively.
But, losing them to corruption can really irk. The image files can get broken, pixelated, show black screen errors, random colors, etc.
Why do RAW files get corrupt?
There can be various reasons. Your storage drive or media may have a virus, abrupt system shutdown while transferring/downloading files from the camera to the computer, a Mac crash, etc.
Repair Corrupted RAW files on Mac
Ideally, efficient photo repair software is the best way to repair corrupt RAW camera files. However, you may try Apple’s Photo Repair tool or photo editing programs to fix certain types of corruption in photos.
Methods to repair corrupt RAW files on mac
- Mac Photo repair software for RAW camera files
- Use Apple Photo Repair tool
- Fix with photo editing software
- Use Noise Reduction Plugins
1. Mac Photo repair software for RAW camera files
Get photo repair software that works on uncompressed RAW file image formats. Remember not all photo repair tools can fix RAW files on Mac computers. Ensure the chosen software is secure, supports your camera file format, and is available for Mac machines.
One such commonly used software is Stellar Repair for Photo. It efficiently repairs corrupt or damaged RAW photos shot with Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, and other brands of DSLRs and digital cameras.
You can easily repair NEF, CR3, CR2, DNG, ORF, SR2, and other RAW files that are grainy, pixelated, have grey bands, are broken, etc. The software also fixes the RAW images displaying errors or not opening at all.
Steps to repair RAW files by using Stellar Repair for Photo
- Download and launch Stellar Repair for Photo on Mac
- Click Add File to add RAW photos
- Preview and Save at your desired location
Note: The software saves the repaired RAW camera files in JPEG. If the photos are severely corrupt, it extracts their thumbnails.
To evaluate the capabilities of Stellar Repair for Photo, download its free demo version and preview the repaired RAW files. However, to save the repaired files, buy the software through the secure payment gateway.
2. Repair RAW files with the Apple Photo Repair tool
Are your RAW camera files stored in Mac’s Photos Library displayed as a grey triangle or show an error? It may be due to some Photo Library issue.
Fix your Photo Library on Mac by using Apple’s Photos Repair tool. The tool detects the problem in the photo app and fixes it. This will automatically repair the corrupt RAW camera images stored in the folder.
Note: Before you use Apple Photo Repair, update macOS to the latest version.
Steps to repair corrupt RAW files by using Apple Photo Repair
- Click to follow Photos > Quit Photos
- Press Option-Command. Double-click the Photos icon in the Dock
Note: If you have multiple photo libraries select the right one that needs repair. - Click Repair in the Repair Library window
- The process may take time, depending on the size of your Photo Library and network speed.
3. Fix corrupt RAW files in Photo editing software
Photoshop, Lightroom, IrfanView, etc., are popular photo editing software that has noise reduction features. Use these editing platforms to fix grains, spots, and other color-related issues in your RAW image files.
However, unlike in the case of Stellar Repair for Photo, you should be proficient in the photo editing program. Beginners may find it hard to fix noisy RAW images in editing tools.
4. Use Noise reduction Plugins
Plugins can be another option to repair corrupted RAW files, but only if you are a professional photo editor.
You may use Photo Ninja, Noise Reducer Pro, Neat Image, Topaz DeNoise, Noise Ninja, and other plugins to fix RAW photos on Mac.
To Sum Up
The easiest and quick method to fix corrupt RAW files on Mac is with the help of Stellar Repair for Photo.
Like photo editing programs, you don’t require to be an expert in using the application. Even a novice can use Stellar Repair for Photo and quickly fix any type of corrupt RAW image file.
I had lost 3GB of data on a corrupt file that will take from my Gopro camera. I need to figure out a way to fix it. Any suggestion would be appreciated!
Hi Alison, I would suggest you can try our software demo version and see the preview of repaired file. Thanks!
Hi Sumona, I had couple of corrupted CR2 files, I’m travel photographer and have various states pictures. I didn’t know reason of corruption? I just want to know that your program will works on CR2 Files? Any suggestion would be appreciated!
Hi Andrew,
Yes our software work on CR2 files.
Thanks!
I had a several corrupted files in my Canon 5d camera SD card. Some of files I deleted during shooting. I used your software it’s helpful for me but some of images still corrupted 80/100. How can fix it? Please help!
Hi Adrian, if the repaired file won’t open it means these files severely corrupted or damaged or it can’t be repaired. For more information, you can contact our support team through email support[@]stellarinfo.com or call at +1-877-778-6087.
I had also struggling with corrupt raw files, I have formatted my SD card and having same issue. Jpg doesn’t have this issue but I would prefer to edit in raw. I used Sony 128 GB memory card on my Mac. Please help..
Hi Andrew, There may be the reason behind your storage or media drive have a virus, abrupt system shutdown. As we discuss in our blog, you can try our software demo version and fix your corrupt raw files. Thanks!
I had the same issue and didn’t get the success to fix corrupt raw images. I just returned from my holiday and I used a SanDisk and Lexar SD card using Nikon DSLR. When I checked the images found corrupted. I didn’t know what causes this? Any suggestion would be appreciated!
Hi Laurie, I would like to suggest you can try our software demo version and see the preview of the repaired file. For more information, you can contact our support through email support[@]stellarinfo.com or call +1-877-778-6087. Thanks!
I had a same issue when I returned home almost 2 months holiday trip to Europe. As you can imagine, I was captured all sorts of wonderful sights i used two cameras of Fuji Xt30 and X-T2. I used mixed SanDisk and Lexar SD card all images in .mov files corrupt on my mac when I open all of which return unreadable. Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Hi Bob, I would like to suggest, you can try our software demo version and see the preview of the repair files. Thanks!