Security camera video will not play or is corrupted: how can it be recovered?
Every attempt you make can turn recoverable data into data that can no longer be recovered.
In a corrupted video, the image data is often still inside the file. What is missing may be the file's header information or its ending, which is why the player will not open the video or stops halfway. Keep the file exactly as it is. If your data does not matter, you can try things yourself; if it matters, trying things is the biggest mistake you can make. How much can be recovered depends on the extent of the corruption.
- The device holding the corrupted file may itself be faulty. Stop using it, keep it safe so no one else uses it by mistake, and get it to us.
- Note which camera and date the file belongs to and which extension it was saved with (such as mp4, avi, dav).
- If you got an error while exporting the video from the recorder or the card, write down the error message or take a screenshot.
- Stop new recordings from being written to the original recorder or memory card.
- If your file matters, do not interfere with it in any way.
- Do not feed the original file into video conversion or re-saving tools.
- Do not rename the file or change its extension by hand.
- If the disk gives errors, do not keep trying to copy it. Every attempt can make the fault worse.
- Do not format the recorder or the card.
Why does camera video get corrupted?
Camera recordings can be left incomplete while the file is being written, for reasons such as a sudden power cut, the device freezing or the card coming loose. The information part of a video file is usually written when the recording ends. If the recording is cut off halfway, the image data is there, but the player does not know how to open it.
Another cause is the disk or card itself. Because of bad sectors, a weak card or a worn disk, part of the middle of the file may be unreadable. In that case the video freezes at some point, green lines appear, or the sound and picture fall out of sync.
What symptoms appear?
- The video will not open at all; the player says 'file corrupted' or 'format not supported'
- The video plays for a few seconds and then freezes or stops halfway
- Green or pink blocks or lines appear in the picture
- The file size shows as 0 KB or much smaller than expected
- A video exported from the recorder will not open in the player
- There is sound but no picture, or picture but no sound
The same symptom can have different causes. So we look at the file first, then choose the method.
What should you do based on the symptom?
| Symptom | Possible cause | What should you do? |
|---|---|---|
| The video will not open at all | The file's header or ending is missing; the recording may have been cut off halfway | Do not interfere in any way, preserve the current state, do not try things, do not touch the original file, bring it for analysis |
| The video freezes halfway | Part of the file may be unreadable | Do not keep loading it from the disk; the condition of the disk needs to be checked |
| File size is 0 KB | The file may have been created but no data could be written | Do not let new recordings be written to the device or card; switch it off and bring it for analysis |
| A file exported from the recorder will not open | It may be in the manufacturer's special format, which the player does not recognise | Send us the brand and model you use |
| Many recordings are corrupted at the same time | The disk itself or the file system may have a problem | Switch the device off; do not take it apart yourself |
Will repair programs do the job?
If the file is important, do not try things yourself. In most of the data recovery requests that reach us after attempts have been made, we see that a file which could have been recovered became unrecoverable because of the wrong attempts. Some programs can rebuild missing header information by looking at an intact file from the same camera. This method sometimes works and sometimes does not. If the recorder's special format is involved, or the data in the middle of the file is genuinely missing, the program finds nothing it can do.
It may not be possible to bring back every frame of the recovered footage. We cannot invent footage to replace a section that cannot be read. What can be done is to extract the part that actually exists in the file and make it playable.
A wrong attempt can make a file that could have been recovered with expert help impossible to bring back. It is like a patient who could recover with a specialist doctor's care losing their life after being used as a test subject by people without the knowledge. This is a situation from which there is no going back.
What is done in the lab?
First we look at the disk or card where the video is stored. If there is a read problem, we start reading the sectors with our professional technical data recovery tools without straining the disk. If the disk is physically faulty, it is opened in a Class 100 (ISO 5) clean environment.
On the copy, we examine the structure of the files, determine which part of the recording is intact and try to make it playable. In the end we tell you in writing what was recovered and which part remains missing.
Related pages
- Security camera recorder is broken
- Deleted security camera recordings
- Hard drive not showing up on the computer
- Software or lab?
- How long does data recovery take?
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
Standard jobs take 10 business days on average, urgent jobs 24 business hours on average. The actual time depends on the type of fault, sourcing the parts needed and the capacity of the disk. Some jobs are completed within a few hours, while others can take months.
The price depends on the type of fault, the parts needed and the time the work takes. After the analysis we send you the exact price in writing. If you do not accept the quote, you get your device back without paying. Not every case falls within the free analysis scope. For requests outside the free analysis scope, you receive written information about the analysis fee before any work begins. For details, see what determines the price and how long it takes.
Can the data always be recovered?
No, not in every case. If the file's image data was never written, or the unreadable section is large, that part cannot be brought back. We cannot know the outcome without carrying out an analysis. After the analysis, you will be informed about the situation.
Frequently asked questions
The video will not open but the file size is large. Is that a good sign?
It may be. The image data may still be in the file, and only the header information may be missing. We cannot say for certain without looking at the file.
Will it do any harm if I try opening the video in another player?
Because the storage device holding the file may be faulty, every attempt you make can finish off a storage device that is already failing. Data that could have been recovered can become unrecoverable because of your attempts. If the video matters, avoid trying things.
Do I need to know the brand and model of the camera or recorder?
It is not essential, but it makes our work easier. A photo of the label on the recorder or camera is enough.
Do I pay anything if I don't accept the quote?
No. The analysis fee is communicated in writing at the start; if you do not accept the quote, no work begins.
Let's assess your situation together: call 0212 909 56 19 or write to us on WhatsApp. See our contact page for the address and opening hours.
If you are not sure what to do, call us first
Tell us about your situation and we will tell you what to do as a first step.