Files disappeared from NextCloud

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I have integrated OpenProject with NextCloud, a user added files to NextCloud shared (team) folder that was then linked to a Work Package.

The user let’s call him David, was then disabled from NextCloud and locked from OpenProject. Later, another user let’s call him Tom, moved the folder containing those files internally.

Today, we noticed .docx and .pdf files are not present in the folder anymore, .zip is there. Checked trash, audit.log, nextcloud.log and everything we could think of. Can’t find any trace of deletion of those files. Help.

The Basics

  • Nextcloud Server version (e.g., 29.x.x):
    • 32
  • Operating system and version (e.g., Ubuntu 24.04):
    • Ubuntu 24.04
  • Web server and version (e.g, Apache 2.4.25):
    • Apache
  • Reverse proxy and version _(e.g. nginx 1.27.2)
    • replace me
  • Is this the first time you’ve seen this error? (Yes / No):
    • Yes
  • When did this problem seem to first start?
    • 3rd November 2025
  • Installation method (e.g. AlO, NCP, Bare Metal/Archive, etc.)
    • AIO
  • Are you using CloudfIare, mod_security, or similar? (Yes / No)
    • No

Summary of the issue you are facing:

The files should not disappear, this is alarming. We at least should know what happened, so that we can avoid this in future.

Steps to replicate it (hint: details matter!):

  1. I dont know how to reproduce but the scenario has been explained.

Log entries

Nextcloud

Unfortunately, can’t see the deletion of files in logs.

2

What do you mean by “moved internally”?

3

And how did he move them.

4

@jtr @Mornsgrans Thank you for your responses.

By “moved internally”, I meant cut/paste, cut the folder from one directory and paste it into another.

5

In the OS-console? - Then an occ files:scan will be needed to update the database with the files location.

6

No, it was done using “Move” button in NextCloud Files web interface.

7

Maybe he did move the files into the wrong folder.
Did you search for the missing files in the ncdata/username/files directories in the console window? - Maybe there is a permission problem, that they will not appear in the file list.

Hint for the future:
Never “Move” files to annother account, but “Copy” them and if they appear in the target folder, “Delete” the source files. So you can be prevented from data-loss.

8

No, the files weren’t moved in wrong folder as logs suggested the files got moved successfully into intended folder. Also, I searched entire nc data dir, those files are nowhere to be found.

Lastly, files weren’t moved to a different account but a different directory.

9

Ok, that really is bad.

The last two chances I see:

  1. maybe the previous file versions may be found in ncdata folder old-user/files_versions
  2. I hope, that you have an older backup with the files available. This might be only one chance to get the files back. Otherwise they may be gone for ever.

Then I have no more ideas.

10

As mentioned earlier, I have scanned entire disk, the files are no longer here so I know they’re gone.

For backups, I am using AWS AMI backup but restoring that will mean lost chats and other progress so I need to figure out a better backup strategy.

The purpose of this post is to find out what went wrong and how to avoid that in future, as files getting disappeared like this from disk with no trace in logs is alarming.

11

Concerning your last paragraph:
You may test the Nextcloud app “Ownership Transfer”, maybe it might prevent from data loss.

12

To clarify:

  • Was the original account disabled or deleted? (You said “disabled,” but I want to confirm you meant that literally, as described in the Nextcloud documentation’s section on Disabling versus deleting Users.
  • When you say “shared (team) folder,” which feature are you referring to? Do you mean the specific groupfolders app, a standard shared folder, or a combination of methods?
  • Please complete the support template. We currently do not have your base configuration or apps list, which is essential for troubleshooting.
  • Could you provide the last references to the involved files from your various logs?
  • Is there anything unique about the docx and PDF files compared to the zip files? For example, were they created by different original users or handled differently?