Windows 11 includes several features designed to protect important data, and File History is one of them. It periodically saves copies of files stored in selected folders, such as Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop. These backups allow users to restore previous versions of files if they are accidentally deleted, modified, or damaged.
However, File History does not always work as expected. You might notice that the last backup date has not changed, Windows cannot locate the backup drive, or the feature fails to save new versions of your files.
These problems can occur because of connection issues, incorrect backup settings, damaged configuration data, or Windows update-related bugs. If you are experiencing this issue, try the following solutions to identify the cause and restore normal backup functionality.
Why Has Windows 11 File History Stopped Working?
Before troubleshooting, it helps to understand what might be preventing File History from creating backups.
- Disconnected backup drive: The external hard drive or USB device used for backups may be disconnected or unavailable.
- Incorrect backup location: File History may no longer be able to access the selected network folder or storage location.
- Windows update issues: Certain Windows updates can interfere with File History’s ability to create or restore backups.
- File History service problems: A stopped or malfunctioning service may prevent scheduled backups from running.
- Damaged configuration: Corrupted File History settings or catalog information may affect backup operations.
- Insufficient storage space: The destination drive may not have enough free space to store additional versions of files.
Identifying the likely cause can help you choose the appropriate fix without unnecessarily changing your backup configuration.
How to Fix File History Not Working in Windows 11
Method 1: Check the Backup Drive Connection
Start by checking whether Windows can access the drive used for File History.
- Connect your external hard drive or USB storage device to the computer.
- Open File Explorer and verify that the drive appears.
- Open the drive and check whether you can access its contents.
- Ensure that the drive has enough free space.
- Open Control Panel and navigate to System and Security > File History.
- Select the appropriate backup drive if Windows no longer recognizes the existing location.
If you use a network location, verify that the network is available and that you have permission to access the shared folder.
Once the drive is accessible, open File History and select Run now to test whether a new backup can be created.
Method 2: Run File History Manually
Sometimes, automatic backups fail even though File History is enabled. Running a backup manually can help determine whether the problem is related to scheduling or the backup process itself.
- Open Control Panel.
- Select System and Security > File History.
- Confirm that File History is turned on.
- Click Run now, if the option is available.
- Wait for the backup operation to finish.
- Check the last backup time to see whether it has been updated.
If a manual backup works, check the backup frequency and ensure the destination remains accessible when scheduled backups are supposed to run.
Method 3: Check for Windows Updates
Windows updates sometimes introduce compatibility problems that affect existing features.
If File History stopped working shortly after installing an update, check whether Microsoft has acknowledged a related issue or released a corrective update.
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install any applicable updates.
- Restart your computer.
- Run File History again and verify that the backup completes.
For the September 2026 File History issue, Microsoft identified problems affecting certain Windows versions, including incorrect drive reconnection warnings and failed backups. The applicable fix depends on your Windows version. For Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, check Microsoft’s release information for update KB5124010.
Avoid uninstalling a security update as your first response. Check Microsoft’s current guidance and install the appropriate fix when available.
Method 4: Restart the File History Service
A service-related problem can sometimes prevent Windows backup operations from working correctly.
Follow these steps to inspect the service:
- Press Windows + R.
- Type services.msc and press Enter.
- Locate the File History Service, if listed.
- Open its properties and review its current status and startup configuration.
- If the service is stopped, use the available Start option where appropriate.
- Restart your computer and test File History again.
Windows service availability and configuration can vary by version. Do not change unrelated services or force a startup configuration without confirming that it is appropriate for your system.
Method 5: Check the File History Configuration
If File History remains enabled but does not create new backups, its configuration may need attention.
- Open Control Panel and go to System and Security > File History.
- Check the selected backup destination.
- Verify that the drive or network location is accessible.
- Review the folders included in the backup.
- Confirm that the backup schedule and other available settings are appropriate.
- Run a manual backup and check the result.
If the problem persists, you can test whether a particular folder is preventing the backup from completing. Temporarily reduce the selected backup folders, run File History again, and gradually add folders back to identify a possible problem source.
Avoid deleting the existing backup archive or configuration folders before checking whether they contain the only available copies of important files.
Method 6: Check Available Storage Space
File History may struggle to maintain backups when the destination drive is full or has very little free space.
To check storage availability:
- Open File Explorer.
- Select This PC.
- Review the free space available on the backup drive.
- Remove unnecessary files only after confirming that they are not required backups.
- Run File History again.
If the drive is nearly full, review the available File History settings for managing stored versions. Be careful when deleting older backups because they may contain versions of files that no longer exist on your computer.
How to Recover Files If File History Failed to Back Them Up
Fixing File History can restore future backups, but it cannot automatically recreate a backup copy that was never saved.
If a file was deleted or lost while File History was not working, first check the Recycle Bin, any other backup locations, cloud storage, and any previous versions that remain available.
If no usable copy exists, a data recovery tool such as BLR Data Recovery Toolkit may help scan the original storage device for deleted or lost files.
The general recovery process is:
- Stop saving new files to the affected drive, if possible, to reduce the risk of overwriting recoverable data.
- Install and launch BLR Data Recovery Toolkit on a different drive or computer where practical.
- Select the storage drive or partition where the missing files were located.
- Start a scan and allow it to search for recoverable data.
- Preview the files identified by the scan, where supported.
- Select the required files and save them to a different storage device.
Recovery is not guaranteed. The chances of recovering a file depend on factors such as whether its data has been overwritten, the condition of the storage device, and the type of data loss.
Tips to Prevent File History Problems in the Future
To reduce the chances of losing important files, follow these precautions:
- Check the last backup date regularly instead of assuming File History is working.
- Keep the backup drive connected when backups are scheduled.
- Monitor available storage space on the destination drive.
- Install relevant Windows fixes and verify backups after major updates.
- Test file restoration occasionally to confirm that the saved copies are usable.
- Maintain an additional backup on another drive or a trusted cloud service.
Using more than one backup method can provide additional protection if one backup feature fails unexpectedly.
Conclusion
When Windows 11 File History stops working, the cause may be a disconnected drive, insufficient storage, configuration problems, service issues, or a Windows update. Start by checking the backup destination and running a manual backup. Then review Windows updates and other settings before attempting more advanced troubleshooting.
If files were lost while File History was not creating backups, check other available copies first. If no backup exists, BLR Data Recovery Toolkit may help recover deleted or lost files from the original storage device, depending on their condition.
Most importantly, verify that File History is creating new backups after applying a fix. A backup feature provides protection only when the backup process is actually completing successfully.
