Fix Restored OneDrive Folder Showing Empty Subfolders
Question details
The user restored a deleted shared OneDrive folder, but the subfolders inside are empty and the documents are missing.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Recovering a deleted shared folder in OneDrive to restore access to its contents.
- Observed behavior
- The folder structure is successfully restored, but all subfolders are empty, and the original documents are completely missing.
Before troubleshooting, wait a few minutes and refresh your folder, as large OneDrive directories can take time to fully sync and display their contents across devices.
Use the Restore Your OneDrive Feature
If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, using the full OneDrive restore feature is the most reliable way to undo massive deletions and recover complete folder structures.
The 'Restore your OneDrive' feature allows Microsoft 365 subscribers to undo all actions that occurred on files and folders within the last 30 days. This will revert your entire OneDrive state, including file contents and sharing permissions, to the exact moment before the deletion occurred.
Go to the OneDrive website on your browser and log in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Click on the Settings gear icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and select Options, then click on 'Restore your OneDrive' from the left navigation pane.
Choose a date from the dropdown menu that corresponds to a time before the shared folder was deleted.
Review the activity chart and list to ensure you are targeting the correct deletion event, then click Restore to revert the changes.
Verify Version History and Sharing Permissions
Sometimes documents are restored but permissions are reset, or individual files need to be rolled back to a previous version.
Check All Recycle Bins and Test on Another Device
Files might still reside in a secondary recycle bin or the issue might be a local sync failure on your current device.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Cloud File Management
Dealing with cloud synchronization and missing files in Microsoft OneDrive can be frustrating. If you are looking for a reliable, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers seamless built-in cloud storage and integrates flawlessly with multiple third-party cloud drives, ensuring your files are safe, accessible, and easy to recover.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Sign In for Free Cloud Storage: Install the software, open it, and sign in to activate your free WPS Cloud storage space.
- 3. Save and Sync Securely: Create or import your documents and save them directly to WPS Cloud to enjoy stable, hassle-free file backups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my restored OneDrive folders showing up empty?
This often happens when restoring a large shared folder because the folder structure syncs faster than the files inside. It can also occur if the individual files were permanently deleted from the recycle bin, or if the sharing permissions were altered during the deletion process.
Can I recover missing OneDrive files if they aren't in the primary recycle bin?
Yes. If you are using OneDrive on the web, scroll to the bottom of the Recycle bin page and check the 'Second-stage recycle bin'. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can also use the 'Restore your OneDrive' feature to roll back your entire account to a previous date.
Does OneDrive version history help recover deleted files?
Version history is used to restore previous versions of an existing file that has been modified. If a file is completely deleted and missing from a subfolder, you must first recover it from the Recycle Bin before you can access its version history.
