Fix “moov atom not found”
“moov atom not found” means the file’s index was never written, almost always because recording stopped unexpectedly. The footage is usually still there.
What the moov atom is
The moov atom is the table of contents of an MP4 or MOV file: frame positions, timing, resolution and the codec settings needed to decode the picture. Many cameras write it only when you press stop.
When recording is cut off by a dead battery, a full or removed card, or a crash, the media data is on the card but the moov atom is missing. Players cannot even start the file.
Why a sample clip is needed
Without the moov atom, the codec settings that describe how the picture was compressed are gone too. They cannot be guessed safely.
A short, healthy clip recorded with the same camera, resolution and frame rate carries identical settings. The repair uses only those settings from the sample; it never copies any of its pictures or sound.
How to repair it
1. Record or find a short working clip from the same device with the same settings.
2. In the dashboard choose Twin Match, Forensic or Fusion Max, upload the damaged file and add the sample clip.
3. The repair rebuilds the video frame by frame and recovers the audio from the raw data, then checks that it plays cleanly in sync.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be fixed without a sample clip?
Usually not: the information needed to decode the picture lived in the missing index. With a sample from the same camera it can.
Is the sound recovered too?
Yes, AAC audio is decoded directly from the media data using the sample clip’s audio settings and kept in sync with the picture.
Which plan do I need?
Twin Match, Forensic and Fusion Max are included in Pro.