Repair/Recover Corrupt JPG/JPEG Files on Windows 11/10

Did your image files get corrupt, and you’re wondering what caused that? There are quite many reasons why image files get corrupt, but the good thing is that you can fix such issues freely by performing some file recovery practices. Repairing or recovering corrupt JPG/JPEG files on Windows 10 and 11 computers is quite a seamless task when you know/have the right tools.

First of all, you can fix a corrupt JPG file by simply changing the filename or opening it with a new image viewer. Alternatively, you can run the Check Disk utility on Windows or use third-party professional software to fix the corrupt file(s). This article explains the most reliable ways to fix corrupt image files on Windows 11 and 10 computers.

2. Shutdown during file transfer

Shutdown during file transfer can be a reason for JPEG files to become corrupted. When you transfer a JPEG file from one device to another, the data is being written from one storage device to another. If the transfer is interrupted due to a sudden shutdown of the system, the file may not be completely written, which can cause corruption.

This type of corruption can occur if you are transferring a JPEG file from a camera or memory card to a computer, or if you are transferring the file from one computer to another, either through a direct transfer or over a network.

To prevent this type of corruption, it's important to ensure that the system and devices are properly connected and that there is a reliable and uninterrupted power supply. It's also a good practice to make sure that the transfer is complete before disconnecting the device or shutting down the system.

In addition, using a reliable and fast data transfer protocol, such as USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt, can help prevent transfer errors and ensure that the data is transferred quickly and efficiently.

4. Malware attacks

Malware attacks can be a reason for JPEG files to become corrupted. Malware, such as viruses or ransomware, can infect a system and cause various types of damage, including data corruption.

If malware infects a system, it can infect and corrupt files, including JPEG files. Some malware may also encrypt or delete files, which can cause data loss or corruption.

To prevent malware attacks, it's important to use reliable antivirus and anti-malware software, keep the software up-to-date, and avoid downloading files from untrusted sources. It's also a good practice to avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening email attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.

If you suspect that your system has been infected with malware, it's important to take immediate action to remove the malware and restore any affected files. You can use specialized software to remove the malware, and backup copies of important files can help prevent data loss due to malware attacks.

Why Do Some JPEG Images Corrupt After Recovery?

Quite a lot of people have alleged that they cannot open their image files after using a data recovery software to restore them. Well, in most cases, the reason is that the image files were already corrupted before they got lost and then recovered using a photo recovery application. Another possible reason could be the image-viewing application you’re using.

Also, when files are deleted from a hard drive or storage media, they don’t get immediately wiped off from the storage drive or media; they relegate to an unimportant partition/sector until completely overwritten with new data. So, it could be that the image file cluster is already getting overwritten with new data; hence, the recovery software was only able to retrieve the remnant file clusters, which is not enough to view the entire original image file.

Furthermore, to guarantee higher recovery efficiency, it is advisable to use a professional photo recovery software that supports JPEG format recovery. When you use random free photo recovery apps, the recovered file may be corrupted, making it seem like a waste of time. So, in a quick rundown, here are some reasons why your JPEG image files seem corrupt after recovery:

• You used an unreliable software

• Some of the image file’s clusters have already been overwritten with new data

• The image files were not completely recovered

• You’re using an image viewer or app that does not support JPEG image format

• The recovery process was interrupted abruptly – probably due to an OS crash, HDD/SSD error, power failure, or other reasons

• Your JPEG image was already corrupted before it got lost, so you recovered an already corrupted JPEG file

Method 2: Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin folder is found on all Windows OS computers; it is one of the stock features. This folder temporarily saves all files and folders deleted from the computer system. So, if you deleted the image file within the past 30 days, you can check for the file in this folder, and most definitely, you’d find it there. To restore a file from recycle bin, open the folder, search for the file, select it and click on “Restore Selected Item.” The file will be sent to the folder/directory where it was before deleting.

Solution 1: Get a Professional JPEG Repair Software

One of the surest ways to ensure that your recovered files will open smoothly without errors is by using a highly recommendable file recovery software solution. DiskInternals Uneraser is a notable data recovery solution capable of recovering a wide range of formats, including image formats such as JPG, PNG, and the rest.

DiskInternals Uneraser has a built-in file repair engine that tries to fix most issues with recovered files. Also, Uneraser can recover video files, and it is fast in scanning. You can use this app to scan SD cards, hard drives, and other storage media to recover or repair your corrupt files easily. After the recovery, the built-in “File Preview” engine will preview your recovered JPEG images, and you’d see that they were successfully restored.

Step One: Install Uneraser

Download and install DiskInternals Uneraser on your computer; launch the software and select the drive where the image file is/was stored for scanning.

Step Two: Scan the Drive

Select the type of file you want to recover (in this case, image) and choose Full Recovery mode since you’re trying to recover/fix a corrupt image file. This recovery mode takes more time to complete, but it is more efficient in repairing file corruption.

Step Three: Preview the Recovered Files

When the scan is completed, the recovered files will appear with a red asterisk; you can preview the files. Simply click on the JPG/JPEG file and click on “Preview.” The image should open perfectly.

Solution 3: Change the Format to PNG or Another Format

Well, maybe the image viewer you’re using to open the image does not support JPG images, so you have to change the file to a supported format. Changing an image’s file format to a different one is quite an advanced action and should be carefully done. You can use file conversion apps or software to do this or do it manually from Windows File Explorer. Hereunder are the steps if you’d prefer to use File Explorer.

• Open the folder where the file is located

• Click on “View” on the menu bar and check the “File Extensions” option to show you the extension of your files

• Now, select the file you want to change its extension, right-click on the file and select “Rename”

• Change the extension from JPEG to any other image format

Note: You can also use Windows built-in utility, Paint, to change image formats. Open Paint, import the image, click on File 🡺 Save As 🡺and select a new format.

Solution 5: Use an Image Editor Program

Another way to get around this situation is trying to use an image editing software; most image editors support a tremendous number of image formats, so they can open virtually any image file. You can use Microsoft’s built-in editor called Paint or use notable third-party solutions such as Photoshop and Picasa. If the image file opens in the image editor, convert it into another format and export it to your PC – you can then view it with your primary image viewer.

Solution 7: Use File Explorer’s Error-Checking Feature

Windows File Explorer is quite feature-rich, but not all PC users know about those features. There’s a built-in error-checking utility available on File Explorer, which could help you fix corrupt files. Hereunder are the steps to access this feature:

• Open Windows File Explorer

• Right-click on the hard disk or drive where the image file is saved and select Properties

• On the Properties page, navigate to the Tools tab and click Check

• Select Scan Now and allow the tool to look out for possible errors on your hard drive, which it’d attempt to fix automatically.

2. PixRecovery

PixRecovery is a software tool designed to recover JPEG and other image files that have been corrupted or damaged due to various reasons, including virus attacks, software malfunctions, power outages, and other system issues. The software uses advanced algorithms to scan the damaged or corrupted image files and repair them, recovering as much data as possible.

PixRecovery supports various image formats, including JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG, and others. The software can repair damaged or corrupted images from various storage devices, such as hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, and other removable storage devices.

3. JPEG Recovery Pro

JPEG Recovery Pro is a software tool designed specifically to recover JPEG and other image files that have been damaged or corrupted due to various reasons, including virus attacks, hardware malfunctions, file system corruption, and other system issues. The software uses advanced algorithms to scan the damaged or corrupted image files and recover as much data as possible.

JPEG Recovery Pro supports various image formats, including JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG, and TIFF, among others. The software can repair damaged or corrupted images from various storage devices, such as hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, and other removable storage devices.

4. JPEG Repair Toolkit

JPEG Repair Toolkit is a software tool designed to repair and recover damaged or corrupted JPEG files. The software uses advanced algorithms to analyze the damaged or corrupted JPEG files and repair the damaged data, resulting in a restored image file.

JPEG Repair Toolkit supports various image formats, including JPEG, JPG, and JFIF, among others. The software can repair damaged or corrupted JPEG files from various storage devices, such as hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, and other removable storage devices.

With JPEG Repair Toolkit, you can preview the repaired JPEG files before you save them, ensuring that you recover the images you need and avoid recovering unnecessary files. The software features a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use, even for novice users.

5. SysInfoTools Image Repair Tool

SysInfoTools Image Repair Tool is a software tool designed to repair and recover damaged or corrupted image files. The software uses advanced algorithms to analyze the damaged or corrupted image files and repair the damaged data, resulting in a restored image file.

SysInfoTools Image Repair Tool supports various image formats, including JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG, and TIFF, among others. The software can repair damaged or corrupted image files from various storage devices, such as hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, and other removable storage devices.

Summary

This article clearly explains the various possible ways to repair and recover corrupt JPG/JPEG files on a Windows OS computer. The methods and tips shared in this article are confirmed to have helped quite a lot of people get over issues like this before. DiskInternals Uneraser is a noteworthy software for recovering lost image files.

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