File Corruption & Recovery

How to Recover OneDrive Videos Showing 0 Bytes

John Wilson Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover video files that were uploaded to OneDrive but now display a 0-byte file size and cannot be played.

How to Recover OneDrive Videos Showing 0 Bytes

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Videos were uploaded from a smartphone to OneDrive, and the original local files were subsequently deleted from the phone.
Observed behavior: The uploaded video files are recognized in the OneDrive directory but show a file size of 0 bytes, contain no playable data, and original copies are missing.

Before you start

Before attempting recovery, log into the web version of OneDrive on a stable internet connection to verify the file size on the server, as local sync glitches can sometimes incorrectly display a file as 0 bytes.

Solution 1Recommended

Check OneDrive Version History and Recycle Bin

Use OneDrive's built-in file history and recovery tools to find a previous working state of the video or an accidentally deleted duplicate.

If a file genuinely shows 0 bytes on the server, it means the data payload failed to upload correctly. However, OneDrive may have stored a previous version of the file, or the original upload might have been moved to the Recycle Bin during a sync conflict.

Access Version History

Log in to OneDrive via your web browser, right-click the 0-byte video file, and select 'Version history'. If earlier versions exist with a size greater than 0 bytes, click 'Restore'.

Inspect the Recycle Bin

Navigate to the 'Recycle bin' located on the left sidebar of the OneDrive web interface. Search for any other copies of your video file that might have been deleted.

Restore Found Items

Select the valid video files if found, and click the 'Restore' button at the top of the screen to send them back to their original folder.

Check OneDrive Version History and Recycle Bin

Data Limitations: A file that is strictly 0 bytes contains absolutely no video data. It cannot be 'repaired' using video repair tools; it must be replaced or restored from an intact copy.

Solution 2

Recover from Phone Trash or Synced Devices

Check the original device's recently deleted folders or other connected devices that might still hold the cached local files.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Back Up Your Important Files Securely with WPS Office

While WPS Office cannot retrieve corrupted 0-byte OneDrive videos, it serves as an excellent, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office. Featuring seamless cloud integration and strong file security, WPS Office helps you safely manage, back up, and edit your essential documents without the heavy subscription fees.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the appropriate version for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the lightweight suite on your device.
3. Sign In and Sync: Create or log in to a WPS account to claim your free cloud storage space and begin securely backing up your important files.

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microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my OneDrive video upload as 0 bytes?

A 0-byte file occurs when the file header is created on the destination server, but the upload process is interrupted—often due to network instability or app closures—preventing the actual data payload from being transferred.

Can video repair software fix a 0-byte file?

No. A 0-byte file literally contains zero data. Since there is no video or audio information inside the file structure to rebuild or repair, recovery applications cannot fix it. You must recover an intact copy of the original file.

How long do files remain in the phone's Recently Deleted album?

On most iOS and Android devices, videos and photos moved to the 'Recently Deleted' or 'Trash' album are kept for 30 days before they are permanently purged from the device's storage.

Document & File Issues