MPG Video Recovery | How to Recover MPG Files? [2024]

How do I recover an MPG file?

The MPG file format is a familiar sight for anyone who enjoys movies, TV shows or works with videos regularly.

Being one of the most popular video file types, MPG files are often stored on external media and also be processed/converted, making them susceptible to data loss and corruption.

But don't fret if you lose MPG files or find them corrupted; just similar to other video formats like AVI/MOV/MTS, etc, they can still be recovered. Some users also get help and managed to recover deleted AVI files using the methods here.

This article aims to shed light on what MPG files are, and more importantly, it outlines the best approaches to recover mpg files in case they go missing or corrupted.

Let’s get started with what are MPG files and why would they get corrupted.

What is an MPG file?

MPG, also known as MPEG, is a video file type crafted by the Moving Picture Experts Group, the same team responsible for creating renowned formats like MP3 and MP4. Just like other video formats (MOV/AVI/FLV), many users need to recover mpeg 4 files after deletion or other cases.

Two main compression methods are used for MPG files: MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. MPEG-1 is designed for compressing low-resolution video and audio files, commonly found in cassette tapes and audio CDs.

It maintains a resolution of 352x240, 30 frames per second, and a compression rate of 1.5 Mbps without significant quality loss.

On the other hand, MPEG-2 compression caters to higher-quality videos, commonly used for digital TV, DVD videos, and over-the-air video playback. With a resolution of 720x480 and 30 fps, MPEG-2 files boast an audio bitrate of approximately 6 Mbps.

Why do MPG files get corrupted?

Detecting a corrupted MPG file is often indicated by videos not playing or displaying error messages. Understanding the reasons behind the corruption is crucial for data recovery. Several common causes of corruption include:

• Malware attacks on the file.
• Sudden disruptions in the media player.
• Unexpected system shutdowns.
• Incorrect file extension changes.
• Incomplete file copying with missing sectors. Sometimes, moving files also cause corruption. E.g., you may find files corrupted when copied to flash drives.

In the following sections, we will introduce methods to recover deleted and corrupted MPG files.

How to recover MPG files?

Various methods exist to recover deleted MPG files, each suitable for different situations. Let's explore some effective approaches:

Method 1. Recover deleted MPG files even after permanent deletion

Several ways can help you retrieve your deleted MPG files, each tailored to specific situations or scenarios.

One of the most reliable approaches involves using quality video recovery software, like the highly praised MyRecover by AOMEI Tech.

With MyRecover's cutting-edge technology, you can effortlessly recover deleted or corrupted MPG files, restoring them to their original glory.

Notes:✎...

It would be better to save the recovered files to a different drive from the source device, in case the deleted files are overwritten.

Step 1. Install and launch MyRecover. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted MPG files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. MyRecover will run Quick and Deep Scans to display all recoverable files. During the scanning, users can filter/sort/preview/recover files as they like.

Step 3. Navigate to the Deleted files/Recycle Bin/Other Missing Files folder, search “mpg” to target your videos, and select the wanted ones, then click Recover x files to start the recovery process.

Besides MPG files, this app can also restore deleted MOV files and other video types.

Method 2. Recover deleted MPG from Recycle Bin

For deleted files, check the Recycle Bin as it may still contain recoverable content unless the user used Shift + Delete, which permanently deletes files. Check the step-by-step guide.

Step 1. Locate the Recycle Bin on your desktop and double-click to open it.

Step 2. If your MPG file is in the bin, right-click it and select Restore to return it to its original location.

In contrast, if the deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin, it means that they have been permanently deleted, please use a professional data recovery app like MyRecover to retrieve them.

If you are sure you haven’t emptied the bin manually, but the files are still inaccessible, check if you have enabled Storage Sense, and thus the Recycle Bin delete files automatically.

Method 3. Try restoring from File History

Windows File History feature can back up files for restoration in case of loss or compromise, provided it was enabled before any data loss occurred and a secondary storage medium is available.

Notes:✎...

The feature Previous Version also helps recover files after deletion/corruption. Its versions come from File History, so, if you have enabled File History, you could also try to restore previous version of files.

Step 1. Search for Control Panel and select the top result > navigate to System and Security > File History.

Step 2. Click Restore personal files in the top-left corner.

Step 3. Locate the folder where the file was last stored and select the MPG file, then click the green arrow button to restore it.

How to recover corrupted MPG videos?

While MPG file corruption can be frustrating, various user-friendly methods exist to resolve the issue efficiently. Most of these methods require no technical expertise. Here are some approaches to recovering corrupted MPG video files:

Fix 1. Use another Media Player

Users can try different media players to determine if the problem lies with the player or the file itself.

If the video plays on another media player, the initial player is likely causing the issue; otherwise, the MPG file may need repair.

Fix 2. Try VLC Media Player’s built-in repair tool

If the file is confirmed corrupted and requires repair, two methods can be used: VLC's built-in repair feature or a third-party tool. This solution outlines steps for using VLC's built-in repair feature.

Before proceeding, ensure to create a backup of the file if it contains crucial data.

Step 1. Use the recently backed-up file and change the file extension to .avi.

Step 2. Launch the VLC Media Player and navigate to Tools > Preferences > Input/ Codecs > File.

Step 3. Find Always Fix under Damaged or incomplete AVI file, then open your file on the media player using the .avi file.

VLC media player also possesses Convert/Save feature to help you:

Step 1. Click on the Media menu in VLC player.

Step 2. Choose Convert/Save and add your file.

Step 3. Select Video H.264 + MP3 (MP4) in the dropdown menu. Set the destination and filename for the converted file. Click Start.

How to play mpg files?

Windows users can open MPG files using the built-in Windows Media Player app. However, Windows Media Player may encounter issues with certain compressed or codec-specific MPG files.

For Apple users, the built-in QuickTime player might not handle MPG files well, making alternative software like VLC player a more reliable choice. VLC player is lightweight, user-friendly, and compatible with various MPG files.

Other apps that can open your MPG videos:

• KMPlayer
• Media Player Classic
• FX Player
• MiniTool MovieMaker
• HD Video Player

Closing words

This article offers methods to help you recover MPG files after deletion and corruption. MPEG files are commonly used for various online and camera video formats.

However, issues like file deletion and corruption can occur during editing, viewing, downloading, transferring, moving, sharing, or converting videos.

As discussed above, video files can be recovered and repaired and recovered using top-quality video repair and data recovery software like MyRecover and VLC Media Player.

In addition, using reliable software to back up photos and videos to OneDrive or other storage devices will be a good choice.