How to find frequent file writes in Obsidian
Use the Sync activity log to inspect uploads, downloads and conflicts.
How to find missing files in your Obsidian vault
As of October 2026, File recovery can restore saved snapshots of Markdown and Canvas files. To identify missing paths, compare against a backup or use Vault Loss Alarm’s metadata baseline. The alarm cannot restore contents.
Background
A missing-path list tells you what to look for in your backup. A recovery snapshot serves a different purpose: it holds content you can restore.
3 ways to do it
Inspect File recovery snapshots
Open Settings, then File recovery under Core plugins, and select View beside Snapshots. Search for a missing note, choose a snapshot and copy or restore it.
- limits
- File recovery covers Markdown and Canvas files, not photo attachments. Snapshots stay on the device and are not a complete backup.
- source
- Obsidian File recovery
Check a separate backup
Compare the vault with a copy made by your backup tool. Obsidian’s backup guidance recommends a dedicated backup rather than relying on sync.
- limits
- A backup must already contain the files you need. Sync can propagate deletions between devices.
- source
- Obsidian backup guidance
Vault Loss Alarm from this site
Create a baseline while your vault is ready, then use the loss report to find missing paths and last known sizes. Newly empty Markdown notes also appear.
- limits
- It keeps metadata only. Cloud offload and renames made while Obsidian is closed can produce apparent losses.
Open larger MIT · no telemetry · core features free
Use Vault Loss Alarm
Enable the plugin after your vault is ready.
Run Check vault now to create the first baseline, or wait for the startup check.
After a loss, open Show loss report and compare the paths with your backup.
Restore files with your backup tool, or accept the current baseline if the deletion was intended.
Common questions
Should I accept a new baseline after an alarm?
Check the missing paths against your backup and sync state first. Accepting the current vault replaces the old comparison, so use it after resolving or confirming the deletion.
Can I inspect a loss below the default threshold?
Run Show loss report to open the path list. The plugin retains losses below the automatic missing-file threshold.
Sources
- Obsidian File recoveryhelp.obsidian.md
- Obsidian backup guidancehelp.obsidian.md
You can now find missing files.
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The plugin in this guide
Vault Loss Alarm
Check missing files against a saved vault record.