How to repair corrupt JPG files

After recovering photos from flash drive or memory card, or sometimes just copy JPG files, can be damaged. As usual, I get a message that this file format is not supported, “Windows Photo Viewer cannot open this image because the file is corrupted”, “The file is not an image” and similar types of errors in various photo viewers, as well as artifacts. in the image. In some cases, it is feasible to recover corrupted JPG files.

This tutorial details the methods available to repair corrupted JPG photo and image files both online and with Windows programs., two of which are free. It can also be useful: The best free data recovery programs.

JPG Photo Recovery Online

The only excellent online recovery service for corrupted JPG files and other types of images that I have been able to find is PixRecovery at officerecovery.com

The problem with this service is that it is too expensive (for free there will be huge watermarks on the recovered photo), but it has an advantage: enables you to quickly examine, without installing third party programs, how is it feasible to recover this JPG (even when with watermarks, but we'll see what it does, this file could be recovered).

The procedure would be as follows:

1. Go to https://online.officerecovery.com/ru/pixrecovery/, specify the file path and click “Safe download and restore”.
2. Wait a moment and then click “Get recovered file”.
3. Download a free demo restore result.

If the result we get is a recovered file with the correct content (the watermarks look like the photo below), we can conclude that the file is recoverable and we can treat it more seriously.

At the same time, the same service offers PixRecovery software to recover JPEG files on your local computer, but it is not without costs either, you can download the trial version here: http://www.officerecovery.com/pixrecovery/.

Damaged JPG file recovery software

Unfortunately, most of the programs that allow you to restore corrupted JPG photos and other images are paid, but I managed to find two free utilities that do their job correctly, they are the first in the list below.

JPEGfix

JPEGfix is ​​a totally free utility to repair corrupted JPG files: not just the ones that don't open, but also those that are opened with some artifact. In general, the use of the program is as follows:

1. On the menu “Principal”, click Upload JPEG and specify the path of the corrupted file.
2. The program tries to restore it at once, and if everything is done automatically, you will see your restored file at once.
3. From the main menu, save the recovered JPG file.
4. At the same time, in the menu section Repair, there are additional tools to recover JPG files that open with many artifacts.

The official website of the author of the program: https://overquantum.livejournal.com/ – where you can not only download JPEGFix, but also read more about the use of the utility.

JPEGsnoop

The free open source JPEGsnoop is not only used to recover JPG files, but also for other purposes. Despite this, we will use it specifically to open and save a photo that will not open:

1. Go to the Options menu – Scan segment and dial “IDCT completo”.
2. In the program, select “Open image” from the File menu and specify the path of the corrupted JPEG file.
3. If the message “The file did not start with the JPEG marker” appears, select Tools – Image Search Forward (find the next image in the file, can be used multiple times) in the program menu.
4. If the content has been found (will be displayed at the bottom of the program window), save the file: select Tools – Export JPEG in the menu. If you check the option “Extract all JPEG files” in the export window, all images found in the file will be saved (there may be multiple images in a JPEG file).

JPEGSnoop download page: https://github.com/ImpulseAdventure/JPEGsnoop/releases

Stellar repair for photography

Stellar Repair for Photo is a paid but effective program for repairing damaged image files, including JPEG format. The free trial version, available for Windows and Mac OS, only allows you to see the results, but don't save them.

1. In the main program window, Click the button “Add file” and add the corrupted files to the list.
2. Click the button “Repair” and wait for the repair procedure to complete.
3. Review the results. To save the recovered JPGs, you will need to purchase and enter a software license key.

Stellar Repair for Photo Portal web oficial https://www.stellarinfo.com/jpeg-repair.php

JPEG Pro Recovery

The free version of JPEG Recovery Pro enables you to recover and save recovered JPG files, but it also places watermarks on the image. The order of use of the program is as follows:

1. In the field above, specify the folder with corrupted JPG files. If required, check the option "Scan subfolder" (scan subfolders).
2. Wait for the result and select the photos to recover. In the countryside “Output folder”, Specify the folder where you want to save the recovered photos and then click Recover.
3. When recovering without registration, you will get the result in full resolution, but with watermarks.

Download JPEG Recovery Pro from the official web portal https://www.hketech.com/JPEG-recovery/download.php

SoftOrbits Picture Doctor (Jpeg Repair)

SoftOrbits Picture Doctor is probably the cheapest JPG file recovery program for the Russian-speaking user. Order of use:

1. You can activate the Russian language of the program interface in the Rescue menu – Idiom.
2. Click the button “Add files” and add the corrupted JPG files to the list (PSD files are also supported).
3. In the countryside “Output directory”, specify the folder where the files should be saved.
4. Click the button “Start”. The files will be processed automatically and saved in the folder you specified. With a large black rectangle with information about the purchase of the program.

The official site to download the trial version of Picture Doctor and obtain a license is https://www.softorbits.ru/picdoctor/

Convenient file repair

Comfy File Repair is another cost-free file repair program for damaged files, including one suitable for JPG, cannot be saved without entering the product key. Available in Russian. Even though it hasn't been updated for a long time, still works fine.

1. Run the program and select the file you want to recover. Click on “Analyze” O “To explore” (the second option takes more time, but it usually gives a positive result).
2. Once the analysis is finished, if you were able to find the graphic content of the JPG file, you will see it in the preview pane at the bottom of the program window. More than one image can be found in a file.
3. Use the save buttons to save the recovered file. Saving will not work without registering the program.

I hope that the material has helped you and allowed you to recover your photos in the correct way. Unfortunately, this is not always feasible: sometimes files are badly damaged and cannot be recovered.