How to Recover an Unsaved PowerPoint

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Use the Document Recovery pane

   Copy steps
   1. 01Reopen PowerPoint after the crash
   2. 02If a Recovered Unsaved File banner appears, click Save and store it
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Recover Unsaved Presentations

   Copy steps
   1. 01Go to File > Info > Manage Presentation
   2. 02Choose Recover Unsaved Presentations
   3. 03Open the newest file and save it
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Check the AutoRecover folder

   Copy steps
   1. 01Find the path in File > Options > Save > AutoRecover file location
   2. 02Open that folder and look for recent .pptx or ppt####.tmp files
   3. 03Copy them and try opening with PowerPoint
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Restore from OneDrive version history

   Copy steps
   1. 01Open onedrive.live.com, right-click the file
   2. 02Choose Version history and restore an earlier version
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Prevent it next time

   Copy steps
   1. 01Save decks to OneDrive so AutoSave turns on
   2. 02In File > Options > Save set AutoRecover to every 1-5 minutes
   3. 03Tick Keep the last AutoRecovered version if I close without saving
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

PowerPoint crashed or you clicked Don't Save, and the presentation or recent changes are gone.

Why it happens

• C-01File saved only locally, so AutoSave was off
• C-02AutoRecover interval too long
• C-03Clicking Don't Save on close
• C-04Crash before AutoRecover wrote a copy

// this guide also covers

• recover unsaved powerpoint
• powerpoint autosave greyed out
• powerpoint autorecover location
• powerpoint file lost after crash

Other Microsoft PowerPoint errors

• PowerPoint Not Responding or Freezing
• PowerPoint Won't Open or Crashes on Startup
• PowerPoint Found a Problem With Content
• An Error Occurred While PowerPoint Was Saving the File
• PowerPoint Cannot Play Media (Video Not Playing)
• PowerPoint Presenter View Not Working
• PowerPoint Designer Not Working (Design Ideas Greyed Out)
• Copilot Not Showing in PowerPoint