In this article, we'll discuss how to recover deleted files in Google Drive and fix Google Drive missing files. Learn how to restore your files and prevent data loss.
There are a lot of things that might cause files in Google Drive missing, including accidental deletion, moving files, issues with device synchronization, or actions taken by other users on a shared network.
Understanding those causes behind the problem might aid in resolving issues.
From above, we know files disappeared from Google Drive can be triggered by a number of factors. Next, we’ll list 11 working fixes to help you find and recover the missing Google Drive files.
First of all, make sure you’ve logged into the right account that stores your files, and connect the account to your device. Go to Settings > Preferences > Settings on your device, make sure you've signed into the account that has your files, and link the account.
Next, if you're using a free account, check your storage. If your files are larger than the maximum of 15GB , they won't be uploaded and will eventually disappear.
Finally, confirm that the folders and photographs you wish to sync with Google Drive have been added. Click on the folders and check the box next to "Sync with Google Drive."
As we all know, when we delete files from Google Drive, they will go to the Trash folder. The Trash folder will keep it for 30 days. When 30 days pass, Google Drive automatically purges the deleted items. So you can check out the Trash Folder to find the missing files in Google Drive.
Navigate to the official Google Drive website. Select Trash on the left pane. Find your missing file in Drive, right-click on it and choose Restore to get it back.
If the Trash folder has been emptied unluckily, you can turn to Google Admin console to find out the missing Google Drive files. This requires that you are an administrator account, rather than a personal one. Only if you are an administrator, you have the permission to access and restore deleted files from Google Admin console within 25 days after they are deleted from Trash.
If you stop the sync mistakenly before all files are uploaded, or if there was an internet disconnection during the sync, then the files will fail to upload to Google Drive and give you a false sense that they are missing from Google Drive. In this case, you can check the error list and verify. Click on the Settings icon and choose Error list. Check the files that failed to be uploaded from the list and verify if they are the missing files.
Sometimes, caches, cookies, and histories may prevent your Google Drive from loading and working properly. Thus, you can try to log into Google Drive under Chrome’s incognito mode.
To do this, open Google Chrome, click the 3-dot icon, and go to New Incognito Window. Log into Google Drive and check if the missing files appear now.
The Activity Panel in Google Drive provides a detailed log of all actions users take on files, including editing, adding, deleting, and sharing. It helps users track changes and recover files that may have gone missing.
If the missing files are photos or videos and you’ve backed up them to Google Photos when setting up Google Drive on your device, you can recover the missing files from the backup in Google Photos.
Log into Google Photos. Go to Photos, select the photos or videos backup. Click on the 3-dot icon and choose Download. Then upload the recovered files to your Google Drive again.
An orphaned file refers to the file whose parent folder gets deleted. When a file's parent folder is deleted, the orphaned file will seem missing even though it's not truly erased. This situation arises from two common scenarios: 1)sharing a folder with someone who later removes your file from that shared folder. 2)Creating a file within someone else’s folder and then having them delete the entire folder. To locate orphaned files and restore it:
If the problem still persists, we recommend you reinstall Google Drive and start over the settings to make sure everything goes right.
Besides, you can update your system and Google Drive app to the latest version to see if the missing files in Google Drive can be fixed, because earlier versions may incur compatibility issues and cause glitches.
If none of the mentioned options fix the Google Drive files missing issue successfully, as a last resort, seek help from Google Drive Support team, provided that you are the owner of the missing files. Note that this method works only for personal accounts.
To prevent future file disappearances in Google Drive, consider the following tips:
Make it a habit to create regular backups of your important files. This ensures that even if files go missing in Google Drive, you have a copy stored elsewhere. For Backing up Google Drive files, you can back up to either external hard drive or another cloud drive. For easier access from any device, backing up Google Drive files to another reliable cloud is a better decision.
Then, how to back up Google Drive to another cloud? Manually download from Google Drive and then re-upload them to the target cloud one by one? Obviously, it is not the best solution. Instead, you can use the professional cloud to cloud backup tool: MultCloud.
Add an extra layer of security to your Google Drive account by enabling two-step verification. This helps prevent unauthorized access and potential file deletions.
Regularly review and update sharing settings for your files and folders. Ensure that only authorized users have access.
Google Drive offers a feature called "Version History" that allows you to see and restore previous versions of a file. Enable this feature and use it to keep track of changes and revert to previous versions if needed.
Google Drive offers a limited amount of free storage (15 GB). If you exceed this limit, files won't be uploaded, and they may eventually go missing. Keep an eye on your storage usage and consider upgrading to a paid plan if needed.
Periodically check for errors or issues with file syncing and uploading. If you encounter any errors, address them promptly to prevent files from going missing.
By following these tips, you can help prevent future file disappearances in Google Drive and ensure the safety and accessibility of your files.
We sincerely hope the above 11 solutions can work well for your situation and help address the issue of missing files on Google Drive successfully. You can try them one by one until you get the issue fixed.