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How to Recover Deleted Files from a Synology NAS Using Snapshots

Backup & Storage KB-852

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Recover Deleted Files from a Synology NAS Using Snapshots. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Synology Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices use a feature called Snapshots to capture the state of your shared folders at specific points in time. If you have accidentally deleted a file or overwritten a document, you can often recover it quickly without needing to restore a full backup. This guide explains how to browse your snapshots and restore lost data on your Synology NAS.

Quick Fix Steps

  1. Log in to DiskStation Manager (DSM).
  2. Open Snapshot Replication.
  3. Select the shared folder containing the deleted file.
  4. Choose a snapshot taken before the file was lost.
  5. Browse the snapshot and copy the file back to your shared folder.

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Log in to DSM

  1. Open your web browser and enter the IP address or QuickConnect ID for your Synology NAS.
  2. Enter your administrator username and password to sign in to DiskStation Manager (DSM).

Step 2: Open Snapshot Replication

  1. From the DSM desktop, click the Main Menu icon in the top-left corner.
  2. Select Backup & Replication.
  3. Click Snapshot Replication in the left-hand menu.

Step 3: Select the Shared Folder

  1. Click the Shared Folder tab.
  2. Find the folder where the deleted file was stored (for example, /home/yourname/Documents).
  3. Click the folder name to view its available snapshots.

Step 4: Choose a Snapshot

  1. Look through the list of snapshots and select one created before the file was deleted or overwritten.
  2. Click Browse to open the snapshot contents.

Step 5: Recover the File

  1. Navigate through the folders to locate your missing file.
  2. Right-click the file and select Download to save it to your local computer, or Restore to return it to the NAS.
  3. If restoring to the NAS, choose the destination folder and confirm the action.
Tip: Snapshots are not a replacement for a proper backup. If your NAS hardware fails, snapshots stored on the same device will be lost. For critical data, consider following our guide on How to backup photos to external drive for an additional layer of protection.
Warning: Restoring a file will overwrite any existing file with the same name in the destination folder. If you want to keep both versions, download the snapshot file to your computer first and rename it before copying it back to the NAS.

Troubleshooting

No Snapshots Available

If you do not see any snapshots listed, the Snapshot Replication task may not have been set up for that shared folder, or the schedule may not have run yet. Snapshots must be enabled before data loss occurs; they cannot recover files deleted before the first snapshot was taken.

Snapshot Replication Package Missing

If you cannot find Snapshot Replication in DSM, you may need to install it from Package Centre. Search for Snapshot Replication and click Install. Some older Synology models may not support this feature.

Permission Errors

Ensure your user account has read permissions for the shared folder. If you are restoring files to a folder you do not own, you may need to ask the NAS administrator to perform the restore or adjust your folder privileges in Control Panel > Shared Folder.

If you are unable to recover your data using these steps, contact your IT support team for further assistance.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

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