How to Repair Damaged MP3 Files

Like any file on your PC, MP3 files can suffer damage and become unplayable, which is frustrating if the song is a favorite, forms part of an album, or is a recent purchase. Before you trash the song, use an MP3 repair tool to fix the damaged file. There's a good chance you can revive your nonfunctional MP3.

Use Software to Repair Damaged MP3 Files

To repair the corrupt MP3 files, download and install an MP3 repair program. One of the best free MP3 repair programs is MP3 Repair Tool. It has a simple interface and is easy to run. The application removes a user-defined number of frames from the beginning or end of a corrupted MP3 file in an effort to correct any damage.

Even though MP3 Repair Tool creates a copy of each file it works on, it's still a good idea to back up your MP3 files before processing them. 

How to Run MP3 Repair Tool

Follow these steps to run MP3 Repair Tool and fix your corrupt MP3 files.

1. Open the MP3 Repair Tool program.

2. Use the file browser screen to locate the folder that contains the corrupt MP3 files.

3. Select the files you want to fix by clicking the box next to each file. If all the files in the selected folder need to be repaired, click Select All.

4. MP3 Repair Tool removes single frames, each 26 milliseconds long, from the beginning of the MP3, which is where the corruption often occurs. Ensure that the box next to Remove is selected. For the number of frames to process, start with 1.

5. Select Repair to process your selection.

Test the repaired MP3 tracks. If you need to trim the MP3 files further to repair them, increase the number of frames to remove by one and then select Repair once more. Repeat this step until you have a working file.