JPG/JEPG Files Corrupted? Here's How to Open Corrupted Images

Part 1: Why Do Photos Get Corrupted? (And How to Avoid It!)

It's frustrating when an image refuses to open, leaving you wondering what went wrong. Photo corruption can happen for several reasons, often without warning. Understanding these causes can help prevent future issues and keep your images safe.

Common Reasons Your Images Stop Opening

• Sudden Power Failure While Saving: If your laptop battery dies while editing or saving an image, the file may become incomplete and unreadable.
• Incomplete Downloads or Transfers: A disconnected USB cable or interrupted internet connection during file transfer can leave images corrupted.
• Virus or Malware Infections: Downloading images from untrusted sources can expose your files to malware, damaging multiple photos at once.
• Storage Device Corruption: Improperly removing an SD card or hard drive can lead to lost or unreadable images.
• Unsupported or Outdated Software: Some older photo viewers may not support new image formats, leading to opening errors.

Pro Tip: Always back up your photos in multiple locations, such as cloud storage and external drives, to prevent data loss.

Part 2: How to Open Corrupted Photos – Quick Fixes

If your photo won't open and is frustrating like "how I open an image file", don't panic—there are a few quick fixes you can try before assuming it's permanently lost. Sometimes, a simple change in how you access the file can make a difference. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and know how to open corrupted photos.

Use a Different Viewer

Not all image viewers are built the same—some handle minor file corruption better than others. If your image won't open in one program, trying a different viewer might allow you to access it. Switching to software like Windows Photos, Mac Preview, or Photoshop can often bypass minor corruption issues.

Steps:

• Right-click on the corrupted image file.
• Select Open With and choose another program such as Windows Photos, Mac Preview, or Photoshop.
• If the image opens, save it again in a new format (e.g., Save As PNG or JPEG) to prevent further issues.

Rename & Change the File Extension

In some cases, an image file may not open due to an incorrect or corrupted file extension. Simply renaming the file and changing its extension can help restore access. This method forces the system to reprocess the image, potentially resolving minor corruption.

Steps:

• Right-click on the corrupted image and select Rename.
• Change the file extension (e.g., rename photo.jpgto photo.jpeg or photo.png).
• Press Enter, then try opening the file again with an image viewer.

Copy the File to Another Location

Sometimes, the corruption is linked to the storage location rather than the image itself. Moving the file to a different location can help bypass damaged sectors and allow you to access the image. This method works best when dealing with issues related to external drives or faulty storage devices.

Steps:

• Copy the corrupted image file to a different folder, external drive, or cloud storage.
• Try opening the file from the new location.
• If successful, create a backup to prevent future loss.

Run System Repair Tools

Corrupt files can result from disk errors, and running built-in repair tools can help fix these issues. Both Windows and macOS provide system utilities designed to detect and repair file system errors that may be preventing the image from opening.

On Windows (Using CHKDSK):

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Type: chkdsk /f /r X: (Replace X with the drive letter where the image is stored).
• Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete.
• Restart your computer and try opening the image again.

On Mac (Using Disk Utility):

• Open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities.
• Select the storage drive containing the corrupted image.
• Click First Aid, then Run to repair disk errors.
• Once done, try opening the file again.

Part 3: How to Open Corrupted Images Using Dr.Fone App - Photo Repair

If quick fixes don't work, Dr.Fone App - Photo Repair is the best solution on how to open a corrupt jpg file. This powerful tool can repair blurry, pixelated, or unreadable photos in just a few clicks.

Why Choose Dr.Fone App - Photo Repair?

Dr.Fone - Photo Repair offers an easy and effective way on how to open images and fix damaged images. Whether your photo is blurry, pixelated, or completely unreadable, this tool can restore it with just a few steps.

• Fixes blurry, pixelated, or unreadable images
• Supports multiple formats (JPG, CR2, DNG, NEF, JPEG, NRW, RAF, TIF, TIFF, GIF)
• Repairs multiple photos at once for faster recovery
• Easy drag-and-drop interface – no technical skills required

Dr.Fone App - Photo Repair (Android)

Efficiently repairs a wide range of corrupted images.

• Automatic detection, no professional skills required.
• Supports repair in common corruption scenarios.
• Advanced repair capabilities for complex damage.
• Supports multiple formats: JPG, JPEG, CR2, DNG, NEF, NRW, RAF, TIF/TIFF, GIF.

4,955,745 people have downloaded it

How to Use Dr.Fone App - Photo Repair (4 Key Steps)

Repairing corrupted images with Dr.Fone - Photo Repair is a simple and efficient process. Follow these four steps to know how to open a corrupted jpeg file and recover lost memories in no time.

01of 04Access the Photo Repair Tool

Open the Dr.Fone App on your device. Navigate to the Discover section. Select Photo Repair from the available options.

02of 04Upload and Repair the Corrupted Image

Click on Add Photo and select the corrupted image from your device. The app will automatically upload and begin the repair process. Wait for the system to analyze and restore the image.

03of 04Use Advanced Repair for Severely Damaged Photos

If the standard repair doesn't work, choose Advanced Repair. Upload a sample photo taken with the same device and format. This enhances accuracy and improves the repair quality.

04of 04Save and Compare the Restored Image

Once the repair is complete, preview the before-and-after results. If satisfied, click Save to store the restored image in your gallery. Your repaired photo is now ready to use.

With Dr.Fone - Photo Repair, restoring corrupted images is quick and hassle-free. Try it today and recover your lost photos in just a few steps.

Part 4: Online vs. Offline Repair – What Works Best?

When dealing with corrupted images, you have two main options: online repair tools or offline software. Each method has its own advantages and limitations. Let's compare both to help you decide the best approach on how to open corrupted photos.