How to Fix "Unknown JPEG Format" Error

Okay, before we address this error or rather an issue, let us answer this question: What do we know about the JPEG file format?

Apart from the fact that JPEG stands for “Joint Photographic Experts Group”, most of us are ignorant about how and where a JPEG file is useful to us. Well, let me sum the answer in brief for you. The JPEG file format is used where having a reduced file size is a bigger priority compared to that of the quality of the picture. It is used for still images, for the shading effect (light and dark), for the real world images etc. This file format is compatible across most of the platforms including the systems with Mac OS. It is also compatible with most of the web browsers and image editors.

Now, returning to the issue i.e. the error message “unknown JPEG format”.

 If your JPEG file format is corrupted, then it is likely they will be inaccessible as well. For professional photographers or for people who make a living out of Photographs, this situation is not less than a nightmare. Apparently, when a JPEG file gets corrupted for some reason, this error message is displayed. Even if you try to open the image with the help of a different explorer or an image viewer, you shall encounter the same error, again!

It is time to shed light on how to fix this “unknown JPEG format” error.

  • One of the simplified to solve this problem is to rename the corrupt JPEG file. In order to do this, right click on the JPEG files and click on rename.

 Cautionary: Change the name, but do not change the file extension.

  •  Use an image editing tool and then change the file name. Again, retain the file extension.
  • Use a third party repair tool to fix the corrupted JPEG file. This is a full-proof way of recovering the corrupted JPEG files and make it accessible. Read more on how jpeg file recovery problem is resolved.
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John Harris

Senior Editor, Content Analyst and a fan of exceptional customer service. John develops and publishes instructional and informational content regarding partition management, Windows hot-fixes, data management and computer troubleshooting.

As a tenured data recovery specialist, John shares exceptional insights and blog posts about data loss and data recovery across any storage device. With 8+ years’ experience in writing for Data Recovery for both Mac OS and Windows OS computers, he is an avid learner who always wants to polish and simplify the data recovery process. John passes his free time playing Chess and reading Science Fiction novels.

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