Can a Corrupt JPEG Be Repaired? Here’s How to Tell

One of the most common questions I hear is: “Can this corrupt JPEG be repaired?”

The truth is: sometimes yes, but often no. If your file is filled with meaningless data —
for example, all zeros or repeating FF bytes — there’s nothing left to recover. But if the file
still contains image data, repair is possible. In this post (and the video below), I’ll show you how
to quickly find out.

What You’ll Learn

Why not every JPEG is repairable.
How the JPEG-Repair Toolkit uses entropy to reveal whether the file contains real data or just filler.
How to double-check with the Hexwalk editor to confirm what’s actually inside your file.

Key Takeaway

If a JPEG still contains image data, there’s a good chance it can be repaired. But if the file is just zeros
or repeating values, no software in the world can bring it back. Knowing this upfront saves you time,
frustration, and chasing false hope.