Definitive Guide: File Recovery Stuck on Working in PBI

Power BI File Recovery Stuck? Here's How to Fix It!

Power BI offers a handy file recovery feature, but sometimes it gets stuck on "Working." This guide provides solutions to resolve this frustrating issue and get your unsaved or deleted PBIX files back.

Losing unsaved Power BI work is a major setback. While Power BI's built-in recovery is usually reliable, occasional glitches can leave you waiting indefinitely. This can happen due to system crashes, Power BI application errors, or unexpected closures.

Solutions to Fix the Stuck File Recovery:

Method 1: Manually Find the Auto-Recovery Files

Power BI automatically saves your work to an auto-recovery folder. You can bypass the stuck recovery process by accessing this folder directly:

1. Open File Explorer (Win E).
2. Navigate to: C:\\Users\\username\\Microsoft\\Power BI Desktop Store App\\AutoRecovery. Replace "username" with your actual username.
3. If the files aren't there, open Power BI, go to File > Options and Settings > Options, then select the Save and Recover tab. Click "Open auto recovery folder."
4. Locate your PBIX file (it might start with ~$). Copy it to a safe location (like your desktop), remove the ~$, and open the file.

Method 2: Update Power BI Desktop

An outdated Power BI Desktop version might contain bugs causing the recovery issue. Updating to the latest version often resolves such problems:

1. Visit the official Microsoft Power BI website or Microsoft Store.
2. Download and install the latest version.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Attempt the file recovery again.

Method 3: Check for Unsaved Work in Temporary Files

If the auto-recovery folder doesn't contain your file, check Power BI's temporary save locations:

1. Navigate to: C:\\Users\\<yourusername>\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Power BI Desktop\\TempSaves</yourusername>.
2. Look for files with .tmp or .pbi extensions. These might contain unsaved changes.
3. Copy and open these files cautiously.

Note: Remember to check your system's general temporary file locations as well.

Highly Recommended: Third-Party Data Recovery Software

If the above methods fail, consider using professional data recovery software. These tools are designed to recover lost files even when the operating system's recovery mechanisms fail. MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a reputable option; its free version can scan for files up to 1GB.

Conclusion:

This guide provides several methods to resolve the "Power BI file recovery stuck" problem. By trying these solutions, you should be able to recover your valuable Power BI work. If all else fails, professional data recovery software offers a last resort.

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