It can be frustrating to download an MP3 file only for it to be unable to play. There are a few reasons this might happen, as files can become damaged easily if met with the right conditions.
Your MP3 file won’t play because there might be a problem with your internet while downloading, or your file became exposed to a virus sometime after downloading it. Thankfully, there are plenty of free tools you can use to fix this issue quickly.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the common reasons why your MP3 file may not be playing and some of the various options you have to fix this issue. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, keep on reading.
Poor Internet Connection While Downloading
As we stated above, one of the reasons your MP3 may be unable to play is due to a poor internet connection. This is one of the most common reasons your MP3 files may be unable to play, so it’s essential to be mindful of your connection’s strength before you begin downloading.
While this won’t always be the issue, checking to ensure your internet connection is secure is an excellent way to ensure that your MP3 files won’t end up compromised.
Your Files May Have a Virus
If you’re still unable to play your MP3 file, it’s likely that sometime after your file was downloaded, it came in contact with a virus. This is another common occurrence that can affect your files’ ability to play, so it’s essential to consider this as well.
Your Files Didn’t Download Completely
Another reason your files may be unable to play is due to an incomplete download. It’s best to check and see if your content actually finished downloading before taking any more action.
Remembering all these factors will make it easier for you to identify the problem the next time your MP3 files refuse to play.
How To Fix Your MP3 File Not Playing
Now that we’ve discussed some of the most common reasons your MP3 files may fail to play, below, we’ll explore how you can quickly fix this issue using a few different methods.
Use iTunes To Convert Files Back to MP3
iTunes isn’t just for downloading and listening to music; you can also convert your broken files back to MP3 format again if you’re unable to make them play. This is an easy fix for those who originally downloaded their music on iTunes, as this will be a quick and easy fix.
First, start by opening up iTunes and clicking the MP3 file that’s unable to play. Once you’ve selected the song you’re looking to fix, click the ‘File’ button at the top of the browser, select ‘Convert’ and then ‘Choose MP3 Verison’.
By following this process step-by-step, a new download of your song should begin in proper MP3 formatting. Once the download is complete, you should have an error-free song ready to play.
If you have multiple songs that are unable to play, repeat this process until all your songs have been redownloaded correctly in the correct MP3 formatting. Once again, this is a great tool to use if you initially download all your songs on iTunes, as all your files will already be there.
Thankfully, platforms such as iTunes make fixing this issue quick and hassle-free.
To summarize:
- Open up iTunes.
- Highlight your broken files.
- Click ‘File’ at the top of the browser.
- Select ‘Convert’ and then ‘Choose MP3 Verison.’
- Your files will begin redownloading and should now be error-free.
Use Online Tools Like Mp3val
If you choose not to use iTunes, there are other free online tools that can help you convert your broken songs back to their original MP3 format. Tools such as Mp3val will successfully determine your current file’s problem and repair it for you in a flash.
Unlike iTunes, Mp3val will scan your original file and repair it without you having to redownload the same song. To begin, open up Mp3val, and add your broken song or songs to the main menu.
Once you’ve done that, click the ‘Action’ menu at the top and select ‘Scan All.’ Mp3val will begin scanning the songs you’ve added to correctly identify where the problem is. Once the problem has been identified, Mp3val will start repairing your broken files and will download a backup of the original for you.
Taking advantage of free and easy-to-use online tools such as these is a great way to repair your broken MP3 files and start listening to music again as soon as possible.
To summarize:
- Open Up Mp3val.
- Add your broken files to the main menu.
- Select ‘Action’ at the top.
- Select ‘Scan all.’
- Mp3val will then identify the problem and fix your damaged files.
Use MP3 Repair Tool
MP3 repair tool is an easy-to-use software that will convert your files back to their original settings with just a few simple steps. This application is unique because it’s designed with beginners in mind and will make this process quicker and hassle-free.
First, you’ll want to start by opening up the MP3 repair tool on your computer. Once you’re on the main screen, begin selecting all the files you want to repair. Once you’ve successfully check-marked all your damaged files, click the ‘Repair’ button at the bottom.
Once you’ve clicked ‘Repair,’ your files will begin restoring to their original settings. This should be a quick process, but it depends on how many files you plan to repair. Once this process has been completed, your broken files should now be fixed and playable.
To summarize:
- Open up MP3 repair tool.
- Select all the files you want to be repaired.
- Click the ‘Repair’ button at the bottom of the screen.
- Your songs should now be playable.
For Mac Users, Use the MP3 Scan + Repair App
Mac users have access to their own free app called the MP3 scan + repair app. This is another easy-to-use software that will fix your damaged MP3 file with just a few simple steps.
To begin, open up the app and start dragging your damaged files to the home screen. Once you’ve successfully dragged and dropped all your broken files onto the interface, click the hammer icon at the top of the page.
It’s important to note that all these files will be replaced with new, undamaged MP3 files. Once you’ve clicked the hammer icon, your new files should be ready to be played in no time. While it can be frustrating when your MP3 files don’t play, it’s clear to see that there are plenty of free and easy-to-use resources to reverse this problem and start listening to your music again in no time.
To summarize:
- This app is available for Mac users only.
- Open up the application and begin dragging your songs to the interface.
- Click on the hammer icon at the top of the page.
- Your damaged files will be replaced with new and error-free files.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored some of the most common reasons your MP3 file is refusing to play. From a poor internet connection to a corrupted file, there are numerous possibilities as to why your file may have become damaged.
We also mentioned some of the most popular tools you can use that are free, easy to use, and will repair your broken files in little to no time. There are plenty of ways to get your MP3 files up and running again, as all the applications we listed above only requires a few quick clicks.
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