---
id: troubleshooting.data-missing-on-drive-cant-move-back
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/data-missing-on-drive-cant-move-back
category: "Troubleshooting & messages"
subcategory: "Undo, move back and Recycle Vault"
question: "Why does it say the data is missing on the drive and can't be moved back?"
alt_questions:
  - "data missing on nvme can't move back"
  - "the copy at is missing nothing to restore"
  - "the copy isn't accessible make sure the drive is mounted"
  - "move back fails drive copy missing"
short_answer: "The copy on the external drive can't be found — usually because the drive isn't connected (or a different one is). Connect the right drive and try again."
tags: ["move back", "drive disconnected"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/copy-on-drive-isnt-reachable", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/fast-drive-isnt-connected-moves-paused"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why does it say the data is missing on the drive and can't be moved back?

To move something back, Storage Studio needs the copy on your external drive. It can't find it — most often because the drive isn't connected, or a different drive is connected in its place. Occasionally the copy was deleted from the drive by hand.

### What to do
1. Connect the right drive and wait for it to appear in Finder.
2. Try again.
3. If it's connected and the item still can't be found, look on the drive in Finder; if it was deleted, restore it from a backup.