{"id":"junk-yard.what-does-missing-mean-on-a-file-scrap","url":"/faq/junk-yard/what-does-missing-mean-on-a-file-scrap","category":{"id":"junk-yard","title":"Junk Yard"},"subcategory":{"id":"cards-editing","title":"Cards, notes and editing"},"question":"What does \"Missing\" mean on a Junk Yard file card?","alt_questions":["Junk Yard file Missing","The original is gone Junk Yard","Can't open file from Junk Yard","File scrap missing","Why does my file card say Missing?"],"short_answer":"\"Missing\" means the original file can't be found — deleted, or on a drive that isn't connected. The card only holds a reference, so reconnect the drive or delete the card.","answer_markdown":"It means the file the card points to can't be found any more — it was deleted, emptied from the Trash, or is on a drive that isn't connected. The Junk Yard only keeps a reference, not a copy, so there's nothing it can open or paste.\n\nIf the file lives on an external drive, plug the drive back in and try again. Otherwise, delete the card.","answer_html":"

It means the file the card points to can't be found any more — it was deleted, emptied from the Trash, or is on a drive that isn't connected. The Junk Yard only keeps a reference, not a copy, so there's nothing it can open or paste.

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If the file lives on an external drive, plug the drive back in and try again. Otherwise, delete the card.

","answer_text":"It means the file the card points to can't be found any more — it was deleted, emptied from the Trash, or is on a drive that isn't connected. The Junk Yard only keeps a reference, not a copy, so there's nothing it can open or paste.\n\nIf the file lives on an external drive, plug the drive back in and try again. Otherwise, delete the card.","tags":["files","missing","troubleshooting"],"related":[{"id":"junk-yard.what-does-moved-mean-on-a-file-scrap","question":"What does \"Moved\" mean on a Junk Yard file card?","url":"/faq/junk-yard/what-does-moved-mean-on-a-file-scrap"},{"id":"junk-yard.what-happens-when-i-copy-a-file","question":"What happens when I copy a file or folder with the Junk Yard on?","url":"/faq/junk-yard/what-happens-when-i-copy-a-file"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"What does \"Missing\" mean on a Junk Yard file card? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"\"Missing\" means the original file can't be found — deleted, or on a drive that isn't connected. The card only holds a reference, so reconnect the drive or delete the card.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Junk Yard","path":"/faq/junk-yard/"},{"name":"What does \"Missing\" mean on a Junk Yard file card?","path":"/faq/junk-yard/what-does-missing-mean-on-a-file-scrap"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/junk-yard/what-does-missing-mean-on-a-file-scrap","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What does \"Missing\" mean on a Junk Yard file card?","alternateName":["Junk Yard file Missing","The original is gone Junk Yard","Can't open file from Junk Yard","File scrap missing","Why does my file card say Missing?"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It means the file the card points to can't be found any more — it was deleted, emptied from the Trash, or is on a drive that isn't connected. The Junk Yard only keeps a reference, not a copy, so there's nothing it can open or paste.\n\nIf the file lives on an external drive, plug the drive back in and try again. Otherwise, delete the card.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/junk-yard/what-does-missing-mean-on-a-file-scrap"}}]},"fragment":"
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Junk Yard · Cards, notes and editing

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What does "Missing" mean on a Junk Yard file card?

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Short answer: "Missing" means the original file can't be found — deleted, or on a drive that isn't connected. The card only holds a reference, so reconnect the drive or delete the card.

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It means the file the card points to can't be found any more — it was deleted, emptied from the Trash, or is on a drive that isn't connected. The Junk Yard only keeps a reference, not a copy, so there's nothing it can open or paste.

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If the file lives on an external drive, plug the drive back in and try again. Otherwise, delete the card.

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