OneDrive no longer has my files, just empty folders. Restore gives a blank grey page.

Question

OneDrive no longer has my files, just empty folders. Restore gives a blank grey page.

Nathan Wright 20

My OneDrive files are no longer in OneDrive for some reason. I recently unlinked a different computer and chose to keep files online so I don't think that is what caused the issue. I only have strange numbered shell documents that cannot be viewed online and when I download cannot be opened. File folders are there but they are all empty. When attempting to restore OneDrive through Chrome website browser, after I choose a date range, the screen turns grey and is non-responsive. I can choose other actions on the left menu area, and then return to restore but the same issue happens.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

0 additional answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Arlene D 36,020 Independent Advisor

Hello,

Do you see your files in OneDrive web using a different browser or InPrivate window?

Sign in at onedrive.live.com and confirm the correct account. Check Recycle bin and Second-stage recycle bin. Clear browser cache or use Edge, then try Restore again. If still blank, unlink and sign in again in OneDrive settings on your PC to refresh sync. Also check Storage in settings to confirm the account is not over limit.

ROSA VILLELLA 0 Reputation points

2026-03-22T05:41:51.32+00:00

I have tried all the suggestions but have not found the files. However, when using Word, I can access some the files/documents I created in the last month. These files are not displayed in the folders in OneDrive
Nathan Wright 20 Reputation points

2026-03-22T13:03:19.6366667+00:00

No matter how I logged in (different browser, InPrivate, VPN, etc) I could see the folders but they all indicated 0 files. When I used Edge I could see the same thing; after 3 attempts to restore with the same grey screen, I was able to successfully restore the drive (using Edge) and the files are back. Thank you.
ROSA VILLELLA 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T10:37:02.5433333+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I tried the 3 attempts, then some more. Still no files were restored. My default browser is Edge. Interestingly, I can see the files in my MacBook but cannot open them. Any other suggestions? I have tried to restore from yesterday, and a week ago. Should I try an earlier restore point? I am hesitant to do that as I will lose my most recent documents.
ROSA VILLELLA 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T10:48:36.4+00:00

I hope that there is a solution as I am facing the loss of over 10 years of files for my work. Disastrous.

Share via

OneDrive no longer has my files, just empty folders. Restore gives a blank grey page.

0 additional answers

Your answer