Error: Google Docs didn't save my work | How to recover unsaved changes in Google Docs

Q: I lost my Google Doc... now what?

"I was busy working on my resume this morning and it took me over an hour to complete. But when I added all the details in each section and was about to preview it, the content suddenly vanished! It seems like my work on the resume didn't autosave to Google Drive as it normally does. I was using a secure network and my personal laptop at home. I'm totally panicked! What should I do now? How can I recover my work from Google Docs?"

Google Docs is one of the G Suite applications (the others include Google Slides and Google Forms), functioning as an online word processor that lets you and your team/collaborators create and format documents. The best thing about working on documents and spreadsheets in Google Docs is that multiple editors can have a document file open at the same time without running into a “file is read-only” error. Also, Google Docs automatically saves every change you make to Google Drive, safeguarding your work from loss as much as possible. Because of this autosave feature, we've all gotten used to not having to constantly click the “Save” button while using Google Docs. But what if its autosave feature stops working one day without you realizing it? How would you deal with such a sudden blow and prevent losing your work?

How to Recover an Unsaved Google Document

There's no surefire 100% way to recover an exact copy of the file as it was when you last updated it. Since we don't know at what point autosave failed, the most effective and hopeful way to restore an unsaved document in Google Docs is by retrieving one of its previous versions. Here's how to recover a previous version of a Google Docs file:

Step 1: Click on "File" in the top-left corner of the menu, then select "Version History," and finally choose "View Version History."

Step 2. On the right, your file's revisions will be listed in chronological order. Click on each one according to its date and time to see which is the one you want. Check the Show changes option at the bottom to quickly filter through the revisions by viewing the differences between each version.

Step 3: Click on the correct version, then use the Restore this version button to revert to it.

Step 4: Confirm the restoration of the selected version with the message, and click Restore.

Pro tip: Sometimes you might accidentally delete a file. In addition to recovering it from the version history in the editor, we also recommend checking the Google Drive Trash for any other copies that might be there. The path is Google Drive > Trash > select the document under Files > Restore.

Are you syncing files from Google Docs to your computer?

In the "File" menu, there's an option called Make Available Offline. This is a crucial step for an extra layer of security when editing documents online. Enabling this ensures that your document is synced promptly to your cloud drive, like creating a real-time backup. It helps protect against unexpected data loss during online editing due to unstable or lost internet connections or failures in the auto-save feature.

How to Preview Offline Files and Recover Unsaved Changes with Google Docs Online

Step 1: On your computer, go to drive.google.com and sign in.

Step 2. Click the Download for offline use icon in the top-right corner.

Step 3. Click Preview Offline. Find the file, and double-click to open it in a new window. You can continue editing or save a copy.

Question: Why aren't changes being saved in Google Docs?

The advantages of using an online word processor like Google Docs over Microsoft Word are clear: smarter and more reliable saving, not to mention the unique way it enables users across the world to collaborate on writing and editing documents. All this fun on Google Docs rests on one assumption – that the auto-save feature is working well and your every move is saved instantly! So, when you encounter “Google Docs didn't save my work,” pay attention now and find out why.

We would blame six things.

• Temporary issues with Google Drive servers
• Problems with your web browser, such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox
• Poor or unsafe network connections
• Too many actions on a document at the same time, causing Docs to freeze
• Very long or large document files
• Limited space in your Google Drive storage

Try using Microsoft Word instead of Google Docs next time.

When you need to work on a large writing project like an essay or document, would you consider using Microsoft Word? That way, you can edit offline and benefit from its auto-save feature. With Microsoft Word, you don't have to worry about losing your internet connection or risking losing your edits due to issues with a remote server.

Moreover, since Word doc/docx files are typically saved on the local computer hard drive or external USB drives, the chances of data recovery are higher. Lost files from physical storage devices can be easily retrieved with the help of third-party data recovery software.

How to Recover a Lost or Deleted Word Document:

Step 1: Select the location of the Word file

Select the drive or a particular folder where you lost your Word document and click on the “Scan” button.

Step 2: Locate your Word document

The software will instantly start scanning all lost data from the selected drive. Once done, click on the “Documents” option from the left pane. Select the desired Word file from the scan results and then hit “Preview”.

Step 3: Recover the Deleted Word Document

After the scan, select the Word file you need, then click “Recover.” Remember to save the recovered file in a different location than the original.