MS Excel AutoRecover Not Working: Complete Fix Guide for Data Safety!

Excel users often encounter situations where their software crashes, accidentally closing an Excel file without saving it, sudden system shutdowns, etc. Such annoying scenarios can cause severe data loss. Hence, to avoid losing your crucial work, it is suggested to use the AutoSave and AutoRecover features. But sometimes the AutoRecover feature fails to work. Therefore, in this post, we’ll discuss how to solve the MS Excel AutoRecover not working issue effortlessly.

Overview of MS Excel AutoRecover & AutoSave Feature

Well, an AutoRecover is a built-in feature in the Microsoft Excel 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 versions that allows saving all the ‘open Excel files’ at a fixed location or a fixed interval specified by a user.

Whereas AutoSave is an add-in presented in Excel 2002 and earlier versions for saving open Excel files during unexpected scenarios. Users can easily recover the files from the default location where the AutoRecovered Excel files are saved.

Why Is AutoRecover Not Working In Excel?

Well, there are two possible causes for the data loss or the Excel AutoRecover is not working. Let’s take a look:

AutoRecover feature is disabled –

If the AutoRecover feature is disabled, then the Excel files are not autosaved when closed without saving or closing unexpectedly. So here you need to ensure that the “Save AutoRecover information every minute” and “Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving” checkboxes are checked or not.

If both are unchecked or one is either unchecked, then this means the AutoRecover is disabled and needed to enable.

Due to Excel File Corruption –

Well, if the Excel AutoRecover feature is enabled, then another possible cause is the corruption of the Excel file or the Excel XLSX files are damaged.

Moreover, you don’t need to worry as there are solutions for solving this issue.

Below check out the possible solutions to fix Microsoft Excel cannot save Autorecover info to the location issue.

How To Fix Excel Autorecover Not Working Issue?

Try the given manual solutions mentioned below to fix Excel Autorecover doesn’t work issue:

Quick Fixes:

1. Enable The Autorecover Option
2. Disable Conflicting Excel Add-ins
3. Fix with Open and Repair Tool
4. Update Excel to Latest Version
5. Check Excel Trust Center Settings
6. Repair MS Office Installation
7. How to Fix & Recover Corrupt Excel Files Using Excel Repair?

Solution 1- Enable The Autorecover Option

If the Excel AutoRecover option is disabled, then try enabling it. Follow the steps to do so:

• Open Excel > click on File > Options tab.

• In Excel options> click on Save tab.
• Verify ‘Save AutoRecover information every minutes’ and ‘Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving’ box
• And set the time ‘Save AutoRecover information every minutes’
• Click on the OK button.

Solution 2- Disable Conflicting Excel Add-ins

Many of you are unaware of the fact that add-ins often cause Excel instability and issues. Therefore, disabling the unnecessary add-ins immediately can solve such problems.

To do so, follow the steps:

• Open Excel in safe mode first.
• Press the Windows + R keys together.
• Then, type excel /safe and press Enter.

If AutoRecover works now, add-ins caused the issue.

Solution 3- Fix MS Excel AutoRecover Not Working with Open and Repair Tool

As already mentioned above, corruption in Excel files can also lead to auto recovery not working in Excel problems.

So, if you think that your AutoRecover feature not working due to file corruption, use the built-in Open and Repair utility to repair a damaged Excel workbook.

Here are the easy steps to use Open and Repair:

• Open Excel workbook > click File > Open

• Now click the location and the folder where the corrupted Excel file is presented.
• Select the corrupted Excel file > click the arrow next to Open button > click Open and Repair.

• And click Repair to recover as much of Excel data.

Hope this recovers the lost data and fixes the issue as well.

Solution 4- Update Excel to Latest Version

The next working solution you can try is to update the Excel versions. Because the outdated software often contains bugs, these bugs disrupt AutoRecover operations.

So, let’s follow the steps to update the Excel:

• Open Excel >> click File.
• Next, choose the Account from the menu.
• Now, click Update Options >> Update Now option from the list.

• Allow updates and restart the system after updating.

Apart from that if still, Excel AutoSave feature not work then try uninstalling and reinstalling the Excel application.

Solution 5- Check Excel Trust Center Settings

AutoRecover not working Excel, even takes place due to incorrect Trust Center settings. Though the problem can be easily solved by checking the Trust Center settings in Excel.

Here’s how you can do so:

• Open Excel >> go to the File >> Excel options.
• Select Trust Center >> Trust Center Settings.

• Ensure AutoRecover locations are trusted.
• Likewise, disable needless security restrictions.
• These changes enhance recovery performance.

Solution 6- Repair MS Office Installation

Sometimes, corrupted Office files can break AutoRecover, and triggering this Excel Autorecover doesn’t work issue. Hence, repairing the MS Office solves it in no time.

Follow the instructions below very carefully:

• Open Control Panel from Windows search.
• After this, click Programs and Features.

• Choose Microsoft Office from the list.
• Next, click Change >> Quick Repair.

• If the issue persists, select Online Repair

This process restores missing Excel components and AutoRecover resumes normal function.

How to Fix & Recover Corrupt Excel Files Using Excel Repair?

Since file corruption is one of the major reasons for the AutoRecover feature not working issue in Excel.

So, if the Open and Repair utility failed to repair a damaged Excel file, then you should opt for the MS Excel Repair Tool. It is the best tool to repair all sorts of issues, corruption, and errors in Excel workbooks with less effort.

Apart from that, it allows the restoration of all Excel file data, such as charts, tables, worksheet properties, cell comments, and other important data in a preferred location.

Also, this tool is easy to use and compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.

Try Now       Buy Now

* Free version of the product only previews recoverable data.

All you need to do is download and install this software from the above-given buttons. And then follow the steps to know how it works:

Also Read: Fix Autosave Not Working Issue In Excel

Related FAQs:

Why Is Auto Recovery Not Working in Excel?

It might possible that the 'AutoRecover' feature is disabled, that why your auto recovery not working in Excel.

Where Can I Find Autosave Excel Files?

You can go to File > Info > open the Manage Workbooks drop-down > choose to Recover Unsaved Workbooks from the menu. As the Open dialog box appears > select the necessary file > click Open > and save the file to the preferred location.

How Do I Enable AutoRecover in Excel?

To enable AutoRecover in Excel, you have to go to the File >> Options >> Save. Here, check the checkboxes associated with AutoSave options.

Can I Recover the Excel Files I Didn’t Save?

Absolutely Yes, only if the AutoSave option is enabled, and to recover unsaved Excel files, click File > Recent > Recover Unsaved Workbooks.

Where Are My AutoRecover Files?

Your AutoRecover files can be saved in various locations, including C:UsersYour_usernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftExcel
C:UsersYour_usernameAppDataLocalTemp.

Final Verdict

MS Excel AutoRecover not working feels frustrating initially. However, by applying the correct solutions mentioned above, you can restore the spreadsheet functionality. All you need to do is follow these steps accordingly for reliable file recovery.

Besides, Excel is a crucial file, so it is important to handle it properly and back up your important Excel files regularly to avoid data loss situations.

Good Luck…