How to Repair Damaged MP3 Files

Use MP3 Repair Tool to salvage damaged music

By
Mark Harris
Mark Harris
Writer
  • University of Wolverhampton
Mark Harris is a former writer for Lifewire who wrote about the digital music scene and streaming music services in an easy to understand, no-nonsense manner.
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Updated on May 13, 2022
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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What to Know

  • Download MP3 Repair Tool > use file browser screen to find damaged files > select files to repair.
  • Select Remove. For the number of frames to process, start with 1, then select Repair.
  • MP3 Repair Tool removes single frames, each 26 milliseconds long, from the beginning of the MP3.

This article explains how to repair damaged MP3 files using an MP3 repair tool. The instructions apply to all Windows computers.

How to Run MP3 Repair Tool

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

  1. Download MP3 Repair Tool, then install and open the 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.

You may also find that the option to remove everything after the last frame of each file cures a corrupt MP3 file. Put a check in this box to enable this option if needed.

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.

Person listening to music with headphones.
Hero Images / Getty Images
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