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File corrupted and cannot be restored from the version history.
I have a file stored in Dropbox that is corrupted, both locally and in the cloud, so I tried to retrieve an older version from the version history to minimize the loss. However, when I accessed the version history of this file, Dropbox encountered a 400 error and couldn't be accessed. What should I do to at least retrieve the older version of the file? Thank you.
What should I do to at least retrieve the older version of the file?
Two things..... have you tried clearing cache and cookies on browser to see if that helps? Often it does.
Secondly how long ago was the file last edited before this one? If it was over 30 days ago there isn't a previous version available which could also be causing the issue (assuming you are a free user).
8 Replies
- Mark
Super User II
What should I do to at least retrieve the older version of the file?
Two things..... have you tried clearing cache and cookies on browser to see if that helps? Often it does.
Secondly how long ago was the file last edited before this one? If it was over 30 days ago there isn't a previous version available which could also be causing the issue (assuming you are a free user).
You are right. Last edit time is over 30 days ago and I'm a free user :(
- Mark
Unfortunately its not recoverable then :(
Dropbox changed how this worked a few years ago and now only 30 days of revisions are kept. So, if you edit a file on a Monday that hasn't been touched in 6 months and want to roll it back you cant as there isn't a previous version stored as the other version is 6 months old :(
Any chance a previous version hasn't sync'd to another connected device?
Hi. I am a Dropbox Pro user and came here looking for any answer to my similar problem, because this is NOT how Dropbox worked until recently.
In more than a few times, as I have all my work files on Dropbox and work every day with it, I had modified an "old" file, regretted it and restored to the last saved version, that was essentially the one from 2 minutes ago!
SO even if a file was last modified even 2 years ago, if I modified it today, the previous version (the one from let's say yesterday! ) was available!
I have already submitted a ticket and are in contact with support. So far they also say the same as Mark, but I know that this was not how Dropbox worked until recently. That's why I came looking here to see if other "old" users have the same problem as me.
Mark, is this something you experienced yourself, or is your statement an interpretation of the Dropbox rules?- Mark
Mark, is this something you experienced yourself, or is your statement an interpretation of the Dropbox rules?
This is the new rules - but they've been in a few years now. I know myself and Rich have pointed out its not how it used to work, but, it is how it works now - and is how its documented in the help documentation, so, it is working as its intended, unfortunately.
However, if you are a paid user then from the point you paid you should have at least 180 days of recovery not the standard 30 days. But, its not retroactive, so, if you paid for an upgrade now only changes from today would be at 180 days - the rest are still 30.
Well, it seems then that old age has caught up with me, because I would swear on my life that I 've done "old" file recoveries within 2024-2025...
I am a paid user, but on Plus, was wrong to mention Pro before, sorry... so 30 days for me as well, but that's beside my point. I know for a fact that I did these kinds of recoveries when the 30 day restriction was in effect, as I was internally commenting the version date of the file I was recovering, as it was more than 30 days old, but have no way to prove it or find any kind of evidence...
Anyway, thank you for your answer- Rich
I am a paid user, but on Plus, was wrong to mention Pro before, sorry...
Nothing to apologize for. Originally there was Pro, which was later renamed to Plus, then they released a higher plan called Professional. Not confusing at all. lol
And Mark is correct. The change in how this feature works happened several years ago. When we pointed it out at the time, we were told that this (new way) is how it has always worked, which clearly wasn't true.
Ah yes, the new plans, now there's even business and business plus I think?!?
well, thanks for making me feel Not alone. I will make some more efforts on this come Monday and note them here for the usual posterity reference .
(I am soooo confident in my mind that I did this within the last year.... 🤔 I will try to find an example of it with the help of "events". most likely I m wrong but too stubborn to accept 😋 )
