How to repair corrupted photo files

Unfortunately, photo files (like JPEG, PNG, RAW, TIFF) can become corrupted due to a variety of reasons, rendering them unviewable, distorted, or partially lost. If you’ve encountered an error like “cannot open file,” distorted visuals, or missing thumbnails, don’t panic there are ways to repair corrupted photo files, even without professional help.

1. What Causes Photo File Corruption?

Understanding why photo files become corrupted is the first step toward fixing and preventing it.

1.1 Interrupted File Transfers

Copying photos from a memory card to a PC, and suddenly unplugging the device, may lead to incomplete or broken files.

1.2 Virus or Malware

Some malicious software targets media files or damages storage sectors that hold them.

1.3 Power Failures

Unexpected shutdowns while working with or transferring photos can lead to file system corruption.

1.4 Faulty Storage Media

Bad sectors in SD cards, USB drives, or hard disks may corrupt files stored in those locations.

1.5 Unsupported Editing Software

Using incompatible or buggy photo editors may lead to improper saves, damaging image metadata or structure.

1.6 System Crashes

If a photo is being opened or edited when your computer crashes, it may result in partial or unreadable files.

1.7 File Header Damage

Photo file headers contain essential metadata (type, resolution, structure). If this header gets damaged, the image might not open.

2. Symptoms of Corrupted Photo Files

Corruption can manifest in different ways depending on the severity and file type.

File won’t open at all (“Invalid Image File” or “File format not supported”)

Thumbnails are missing or appear blank

The image shows only a part of the picture (half image)

Pixelated, blurry, or color-distorted image

Error messages like “Can’t open this file,” “Photo viewer can’t display this picture,” etc.

Incorrect file size (e.g., 0 bytes or unusually small size)

3. How to Repair Corrupted Photo Files

Let’s break down the most effective methods for fixing corrupted photo files.

Method 1: Use Built-In Windows Tools

3.1.1 Windows Photo Viewer Error Check

Sometimes, the error is not in the file itself but in Windows’ rendering engine. Try the following:

Open the image in Paint or Photoshop

Convert the image to a new format (e.g., PNG to JPG)

Save it under a new name

3.1.2 Use Windows CHKDSK for Drive Errors

If the images are on an SD card or USB drive, corruption might be due to disk issues.

Plug in the storage device

Open Command Prompt (Admin)

Type:

bash

CopyEdit

chkdsk E: /f /r

(Replace E: with your drive letter)

Wait for the scan to complete—it will attempt to recover readable data from bad sectors.

Method 2: Repair Images with Free Online Tools

Several online services offer quick photo repair for common image file types.

3.2.1 Panda Assistant (for Online Repair)

Go to Panda Assistant’s official website

Select the photo repair feature

Upload your corrupted file

Let the tool scan and repair it

Download the fixed image

Pros: Easy, online, supports JPG, PNG, BMP

Cons: May require paid subscription for large files

3.2.2 OfficeRecovery for Photos

Visit https://online.officerecovery.com/photo/

Upload a corrupted image

View preview and download repaired photo

Method 3: Use Dedicated Software to Repair Photos

If you’re dealing with serious corruption or RAW files, specialized tools offer better results.

3.3.1 Stellar Repair for Photo

Supports JPEG, TIFF, PNG, HEIC, and RAW formats (CR2. NEF, ARW, etc.)

Allows batch repair

Repairs header issues, pixelation, and distortion

Free version offers previews

How to use:

Download and install Stellar Repair for Photo

Launch the software

Add corrupted photo files

Click Repair

Preview and save the repaired images

3.3.2 PixRecovery

Recovers and repairs corrupted JPEG, BMP, TIFF, GIF, PNG files

Reconstructs file headers and image data

3.3.3 JPEG Repair Toolkit (Free)

Works for repairing JPEG headers and extracting thumbnails

Includes a tool called Repair and Extract

3.3.4 Hetman Photo Recovery

Although primarily a recovery tool, it can rebuild broken image files

Supports memory card and USB repair

Method 4: Convert the File Format

Converting corrupted images to another format can bypass incompatible metadata.

Steps:

Open a different image viewer like IrfanView or XnView

Open the image (if it partially opens)

Save as another format (e.g., JPG to PNG)

Test the new file

If successful, this can be a quick fix.

Method 5: Recover Images from Backups or Previous Versions

If you use Windows Backup or File History:

Right-click the photo file or folder

Click Properties

Go to Previous Versions tab

Choose a version to restore

Similarly, cloud backups (OneDrive, Google Photos) often maintain older versions.

Method 6: Repairing RAW Image Files from Cameras

RAW formats like CR2 (Canon), NEF (Nikon), ARW (Sony) contain more data but are more sensitive to corruption.

Tools to repair RAW photos:

Stellar Repair for Photo – Repairs RAW files and saves as JPEG or RAW

File Repair – Fixes header info

PhotoRec (Open-source) – Recovers lost or corrupted RAW images from media cards

Adobe DNG Converter – Sometimes converting RAW to DNG helps bypass corruption

Tip: If the RAW file is too damaged to open, try to extract the embedded JPEG preview using tools like ExifTool.

4. Manual Repair: HEX Editors (Advanced)

This method is only for advanced users familiar with binary and file structures.

Use HxD or WinHex:

Open a working photo of the same camera model

Copy the file header (first 300–600 bytes)

Paste over the corrupted photo’s header using the HEX editor

Save and try opening the file

This approach attempts to fix header issues but risks further corruption if done incorrectly.

5. Repair on macOS and Linux

macOS Users:

Use Preview or Photos app to test

Try converting via ImageMagick:

csharp

CopyEdit

convert corrupted.jpg fixed.jpg

Use Stellar Repair for Photo (Mac version)

Linux Users:

Use GIMP to try opening and saving the image

Use ddrescue or testdisk for media recovery

Repair with jpeginfo, jhead, or ImageMagick

6. How to Prevent Photo File Corruption

Prevention is key. Follow these best practices:

6.1 Use Safe Transfer Practices

Always safely eject memory cards and USB drives

Avoid interrupting file copying or editing

6.2 Back Up Regularly

Use cloud backup (Google Photos, Dropbox, iCloud)

Make local copies on external drives

6.3 Use Reliable Hardware

Avoid cheap or generic memory cards

Replace old drives showing bad sectors

6.4 Keep Your System Clean

Use antivirus software

Regularly scan for malware

6.5 Use Proper Editing Software

Avoid editing with untrusted apps

Use tools that auto-backup originals

Corrupted photo files may feel like a nightmare, especially when they contain irreplaceable memories or critical work. Fortunately, with the right tools and knowledge, you can repair most photo files, or at least recover their content. Whether you use online services like Panda Assistant, powerful desktop software like Stellar Repair, or manual recovery tools, you have multiple ways to bring your images back to life.