Cannot restore files from OneDrive recycle bin (stuck for 2 days)

Question

I cannot restore files from my OneDrive recycle bin.

It keeps saying "try again in a few minutes" for more than 2 days.

The files are still visible but cannot be restored on web or mobile.

Answer 1

Hello dwi yunita, thanks for posting in the community.

If OneDrive keeps showing “try again in a few minutes” for two days, it usually means something is blocking the restore process. You can try restoring a small group of files first instead of restoring everything at once, because large restores can fail or time out. This method has helped other users by selecting files in smaller batches rather than all at the same time. If the problem continues, check if the files already returned to your device and make sure your OneDrive storage is not full, since storage limits can also stop the restore from completing.

Kind regards,

John Oli

Answer 2

If you want to restore all files in the recycle bin, scroll to the last file in the list, press and hold the shift key, and select the last file. All files should then be selected. Now click "Restore".

Answer 3

Use the OneDrive web interface to work around the restore issue and then, if needed, roll back the whole OneDrive.

1. Try restoring from the OneDrive website
   1. Go to the OneDrive website and sign in.
   2. On the left side, select Recycle bin.
   3. Select a small batch of files (start with a few, not all at once) and choose Restore at the top of the page.
   4. If that works, repeat in batches until all needed files are restored.
2. If restore still fails, use OneDrive “Files Restore” (if a Microsoft 365 subscriber)
   1. Open the Restore your OneDrive options: https://onedrive.live.com/?v=restore
   2. Choose a restore date/time from before the files were deleted.
   3. Apply the restore to undo all actions on files and folders within the last 30 days.
   4. After restore completes, check that the files are back in their original locations.
   5. Any files created after the restore point will be moved to the OneDrive recycle bin; restore those individually if needed.
3. If still not resolved
   1. Confirm the files are not already restored to the local device (use File Explorer search and check the local Recycle Bin/Trash).
   2. If the issue persists across both web and mobile and Files Restore does not complete or errors, contact Microsoft 365/OneDrive support and provide the timeframe when the files were deleted and the approximate number of items affected.

Note: For personal OneDrive, items remain in the OneDrive recycle bin for 30 days (unless the recycle bin is full and older items are auto-removed). As long as the items are still visible in the recycle bin, they are eligible for restore via either direct restore or Files Restore.

---

References:

• Find lost or missing files in OneDrive
• Restore deleted files or folders in OneDrive
• Use OneDrive on Windows 10 devices (Xbox, HoloLens, Surface Hub, or tablets)
• How to recover missing, deleted or corrupted items in SharePoint and OneDrive for work or school
• Delete or restore files from your OneDrive recycle bin in Android, iOS, or Windows mobile