Ultimate Guide to Recover PNG Files: Emergency Fixes for Deletion, Formatting & Loss (2025 AI Methods)
26 November 2025 Specialist of Customer Service Dept.
Last update by James Smith at 26 November 2025
Summary
Images are among the most frequently lost files during data loss incidents. Knowing how to recover them—especially high‑quality PNG logos and design assets—is essential. This article explains the common causes of PNG file loss and walks you through effective recovery methods.
Table of contents
If you discover your PNG files are missing, stop using that drive, SD card, or phone immediately—don’t save new files, copy data, or install software on it. Deleted data often still exists until it’s overwritten, and once replaced it’s gone for good. If the files were on an SD card, switch the write‑protect lock on to prevent accidental changes and maximize your chances of recovery.
Lost your PNG files? A drive format may have erased your logos, drafts, or screenshots. Your images might look corrupted, refuse to open, or even disappear from your phone gallery. Don’t worry—you’re in the right place.
This guide walks you through recovering PNG files step by step, from free built‑in features to professional recovery software, open‑source tools, and methods to repair damaged images.
These are your quickest initial checks. If your PNG files were recently deleted and still reside in your system’s “Recycle Bin” or equivalent, these methods often work instantly.
Important: If your PNG files were originally stored on an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or SD card, please skip this section. Windows and macOS built-in recovery features cannot restore files from removable storage devices.
Windows PC
1. Recycle Bin – Open the Recycle Bin, type “.png” in the search box, right-click the file you need, and select “Restore.” The file will return to its original location. See detailed steps and how Recycle Bin recovery works
2. Previous Versions – Right-click the folder where your PNG was originally saved → select “Properties” → go to the “Previous Versions” tab. If File History or System Protection was enabled, you’ll see historical snapshots of that folder—you can restore files directly from them. See how to use “Previous Versions”
3. OneDrive Recycle Bin – If your Desktop or Documents folder is synced to OneDrive on Windows 10/11, your missing PNG may appear in OneDrive’s online Recycle Bin. Log in to OneDrive, go to the Recycle Bin, and restore the file. See OneDrive recovery steps
Personal OneDrive: Files stay in the Recycle Bin for 30 days. OneDrive for Business (work/school accounts): Files remain for 93 days and then move to a second-stage Recycle Bin for an additional 14 days. After this period—or if manually emptied—files are permanently gone.
macOS
1. Trash – Open Trash, right-click the file, and choose “Put Back” if the option is available.
2. Time Machine – Launch Time Machine and browse to a date when your PNG file still existed to restore it. See detailed Time Machine steps for macOS
Important: Time Machine only works if you have previously set up a backup drive and enabled automatic backups.
Android Phones/Tablets
- Google Photos → Library → Trash (files typically retained for 60–72 days)
iPhone / iPad
- Photos App → Albums → Recently Deleted: Deleted photos and videos are kept in the “Recently Deleted” album for 30 days by default—you can restore them anytime during this period.
- iCloud Photo Sync: If iCloud Photos is enabled, your “Recently Deleted” album syncs to iCloud. You can access and recover these files from any iCloud-signed-in device or via iCloud.com.
If you don’t find your files here → proceed immediately to the next section.
In many cases, professional recovery tools offer the most effective way to retrieve lost PNG files. Based on user feedback, most people successfully recover their images at this stage—even after formatting or partial overwrites, thanks to deep-scanning algorithms that salvage residual data.
Renee Undeleter is one of the most powerful and user-friendly professional recovery tools on the market, especially effective for design files like PNG, PSD, and AI.
It supports 400+ file formats and combines file system scanning with raw signature scanning (accurately detecting PNG headers: 89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A), offering real thumbnail previews—with the latest version leading in recovery success rates after deep formatting.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery Software
Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.
Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.
File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.
Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.
Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.
Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.
Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.
Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.
Key Advantages
- View clear PNG thumbnails before recovery—nearly 100% confirmation of restorability
- Three scan modes: Quick, Deep, and Full Disk
- Modern, intuitive interface—perfect for beginners
- Create disk images to prevent secondary damage
- Recovers files even from RAW partitions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Download and install Renee Undeleter from the official website
Do NOT install the software on the same drive containing your lost data, as this risks overwriting your PNG files. Also, avoid saving any new files to that partition after data loss to prevent further damage.
Step 2: Launch the software and select “Fast Partition Scan” (ideal for accidental deletion or emptied Recycle Bin)
Step 3: Select the drive/partition where your PNG files were lost → click “Next”
Step 4: Start with “Fast Scan” (scans only the first 30GB—extremely quick) → click “Next”
If not found, go back and try “Deep Scan” or “Whole Disk Scan.”
Step 5: After scanning, select “Pictures” → “PNG” on the left, or search for “.png.” Double-click any file to preview it in real time!
You can also preview various video files during recovery.
As a native Windows application, Renee Undeleter runs locally without uploading files to the cloud. This ensures your PNG design drafts or screenshots are safely recovered on your own device—an ideal solution for designers who want to avoid network delays or privacy concerns.
Once you confirm the thumbnail is clear, select the files you want → click “Recover” → and save them to a different drive or external storage device to avoid overwriting original data.
Disk Drill Pro – Widely used globally; excellent macOSexperience; Windows version offers 500MB free recovery quota.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro – Excels with RAID arrays and large-capacity drives, popular in enterprise settings.
R-Studio – A technician-grade tool with unmatched power for repairing and recovering corrupted file systems.
Stellar Data Recovery Professional – Outstanding for mobile recovery; can directly scan and recover from iPhone/Android devices.
📱 Mobile-only recovery: Connect your phone via USB to your computer and run Renee Undeleter or Stellar—they can scan internal phone storage and recover lost PNG files directly.
These tools are completely free and powerful—ideal for hands-on users or those on a tight budget. They enjoy strong global community support, though most have minimalistic interfaces and require some technical know-how. If you prefer graphical interfaces, choose GUI-based options; if you’re comfortable with command lines, explore more flexible CLI tools.
| 🛠️ Tool | 🎨 UI Experience | 🔍 PNG Signature Scan | ⚡ Recovery Speed | 📂 Best For | 📈 Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recuva | 😀 Beginner-friendly GUI | ❌ No | 🚀 Fast | 👶 Simple accidental deletions | ⭐ Average |
| PhotoRec | 💻 Command-line | ✅ Yes (very powerful) | Slow | 💾 Formatted or severely damaged drives; optimal for photos/videos | ⭐⭐⭐ High |
| TestDisk | 💻 Command-line | ✅ Yes (use with PhotoRec) | Medium | 🔧 Partition table repair; unreadable drives | ⭐⭐⭐ High |
| DMDE Free | 🙂 Good GUI | ✅ Yes | Medium | 🗂️ NTFS / ReFS / exFAT file systems | ⭐⭐ Medium |
| DiskDigger (Android) | 📱 Great mobile UI | ⚠️ Yes (Pro version required) | 🚀 Fast | 📲 Direct phone recovery | ⭐⭐ Medium |
Recuva
Great for beginners with an intuitive interface—quick for simple deletions. Less effective for complex scenarios like formatting or disk corruption.
PhotoRec
Widely regarded as the most powerful free recovery tool still effective in 2025. It scans raw disk signatures instead of relying on file systems—so even if Windows or macOS sees your drive as RAW, it can still locate and recover PNG files.
To make this powerful tool accessible to non-technical users, the community has built a graphical version (QPhotoRec) that replaces command-line operations with a familiar window-based interface.
TestDisk
Primarily used to repair and recover partition tables—ideal when a drive becomes unreadable or unmountable. Often paired with PhotoRec: TestDisk fixes the partition structure, while PhotoRec recovers individual files.
DMDE Free
Offers a clean GUI and supports multiple file systems (NTFS, ReFS, exFAT), delivering stable performance on complex disks.
Free version limitations:
- Max 4,000 files per recovery session from a selected directory
- No “one-click folder recovery”—requires Standard or Pro version for batch automation
DiskDigger
Android-exclusive tool that scans and recovers directly on your phone. Free version is limited; upgrade to Pro for full capabilities.
After trying these free tools and recovering your files, the next step is checking file integrity. Not all recovered PNGs open properly—some may still be corrupted or visually flawed, requiring specialized repair techniques.
Sometimes, even successfully recovered PNGs won’t open, show only partial images, appear as gray blocks, display color shifts, or exhibit noise. Common causes include:
- Partial overwriting or file fragmentation
- Bad sectors on the storage device
- Incomplete reconstruction of file headers or data blocks during recovery
In these situations, basic “file recovery” isn’t enough—you’ll need to perform a structural repair on the PNG itself. This guide introduces four proven methods to restore corrupted PNG files. Below is a quick overview before we dive into the details:
| 🔧 Method | 🌟 Best For | ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialized Repair Software | Users wanting dedicated PNG repair | Designed for PNGs, fixes transparency/palette, batch support, previews | Paid features, limited on badly fragmented files, can be slow |
| Hex Editor (Manual) | Tech‑savvy users | Precise control, can fix headers/chunks | Complex, time‑consuming, risk of errors |
| AI Tools (2025) | Everyday users | Fast, simple, no skills needed | Won’t fix 0‑byte or missing‑header files |
| Stable Diffusion Inpainting | Pro users seeking quality | Free, offline, pixel‑level precision | Setup required, slower than one‑click AI |
Recommended PNG repair software:
- Stellar Repair for Photo: Batch-repairs PNGs, fixes transparency and color palette issues, simple UI.
- Hetman Photo Recovery: Combines recovery + repair with real-time preview of fixed files.
- PNGGauntlet + Repair Plugins: Free but requires manual intervention.
Advantages:
- Specifically designed for PNG structure repair
- Fixes transparency and palette issues
- Supports batch processing
- Most offer preview functions
Disadvantages:
- Premium features usually require payment
- Limited effectiveness on heavily fragmented files
- Repair process can be slow
If you’re comfortable working at the byte level, a hex editor lets you inspect and edit a PNG’s internal structure—like performing “surgery” on the file. This method is especially effective for fixing corrupted headers, missing signatures, or critical chunks when automated tools fail.
PNG files follow a strict format: they always start with an 8-byte signature 89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A, followed by a series of “chunks” (each with length, type, data, and CRC checksum), and end with a fixed IEND chunk. If the signature or key chunks (like IHDR or IDAT) are damaged, the image won’t open—but often, manual correction works.
PNG File Structure Overview
| Offset / Position | Hex Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 0–7 | 89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A | PNG signature (fixed, unchangeable) |
| 8–11 | 00 00 00 0D | Length of first chunk (IHDR—always 13 bytes) |
| 12–15 | 49 48 44 52 | IHDR chunk type (image header) |
| 16–28 | (13 bytes: width, height, bit depth, color type, etc.) | IHDR data (basic image parameters) |
| 29–32 | (CRC checksum) | IHDR CRC |
| … | 49 44 41 54 | IDAT chunk type (compressed image data—may be multiple) |
| Last 12 bytes | 00 00 00 00 49 45 4E 44 AE 42 60 82 | IEND chunk (end marker—fixed) |
Key Points:
- Bytes 0–7 must be
89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A→ otherwise, no software will recognize it - First 33 bytes (0–32) intact = 90% chance it opens (as long as IDAT and IEND exist)
- Last 12 bytes must be
00 00 00 00 49 45 4E 44 AE 42 60 82→ missing this usually prevents opening
In most cases, restoring these three segments instantly makes a “broken PNG” viewable again!
Repair tip: Use a normal PNG of the same resolution and bit depth as a reference—copy its signature, IHDR chunk, or IEND block to patch the damaged file.
Recommended Free Tools:HxDor010 Editor
Steps:
1. Open the corrupted PNG in HxD.
2. Verify bytes 0–7 are
89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A. If missing or altered, replace them with a valid signature from a working PNG. 3. Check bytes 12–15 for
49 48 44 52 (IHDR). If corrupted, copy the full IHDR block (typically first 33 bytes: 8-byte signature + 4-byte length + 4-byte type + 13-byte data + 4-byte CRC) from a reference file. 4. Search for
49 45 4E 44 (IEND) near the end. If the file lacks the full IEND block (00 00 00 00 49 45 4E 44 AE 42 60 82), append these 12 bytes manually. 5. Save as a new filename and test if it opens.
Pro tip: Use Beyond Compare to side-by-side compare the damaged file with a healthy one—quickly spot missing or extra bytes for near-guaranteed success.
After mastering these traditional repair techniques, if you still find them too complex or limited, consider smarter solutions. With 2025’s advances in AI, new intelligent repair methods can automatically identify and reconstruct missing parts of damaged PNGs—dramatically boosting success rates and efficiency.
Professional AI Repair Tools
- Adobe Firefly – Upload corrupted PNG → use “Generative Fill” or “Heal”
- Photopea.com (free Photoshop alternative) → Open file → use Content-Aware Fill or Generative Fill
- Topaz Photo AI or Luminar Neo – One-click AI restoration
Free AI Large Models for PNG Repair
If your PNG opens partially but shows large gray areas, color distortion, or transparency issues, AI can fix it—no technical skills needed.
Many AI platforms now support image upload and repair, such as:
- ChatGPT
- Microsoft Copilot
- Grok (with image support)
- Tongyi Wanxiang(Alibaba), Doubao, Kimi (in China)
Simply upload your damaged PNG and enter this prompt:
Please fix this photo for me. Restore to natural state.
AI will intelligently fill missing pixels, correct color shifts, and rebuild transparent areas. Works exceptionally well for:
- Gray blocks or checkerboard artifacts
- Overall color casts or banding
- Transparent backgrounds turned solid or noisy
Note: AI cannot repair PNGs that won’t open at all, are 0 bytes, or have completely missing headers.
Precise PNG Repair with Stable Diffusion (Free & Top-Tier Quality)
After exploring general AI repair, if you want higher precision and control, try this pro-level approach. Unlike one-click AI tools, Stable Diffusion enables pixel-level inpainting—redrawing only damaged areas while preserving intact parts perfectly, often yielding superior results.
Core idea: Mask the damaged region and let Stable Diffusion regenerate only that area—keeping everything else 100% untouched.
Step-by-Step Guide (5-Minute Setup)
1. Install Stable Diffusion Automatic WebUI (completely free)
Download: https://github.com/AUTOMATIC1111/stable-diffusion-webui
2. Drag your damaged PNG into the “img2img → Inpaint” tab.
3. Use the brush to paint the damaged areas black (this creates the mask):
- Cover all gray blocks, noise, or color anomalies
- Also mask areas with broken transparency (AI will regenerate correct alpha)
- Paint slightly beyond damaged zones—but avoid covering good areas
4. Copy & paste these optimized prompts:
Prompt (Positive):
masterpiece, best quality, highly detailed, realistic, natural lighting
Negative Prompt:
blurry, low quality, artifacts, jpeg artifacts, text, watermark, deformed, bad anatomy, extra limbs, missing fingers
5. Critical settings (copy exactly):
- Denoising strength: 0.45–0.65 (0.45–0.55 for minor damage, 0.6–0.65 for severe)
- Mask blur: 4–8
- Inpaint area: Only masked
- Only masked padding: 32
6. Click “Generate”—usually 1–3 attempts yield perfect results. If minor flaws remain, mask them again and regenerate—nearly 100% success rate.
Why This Method Works So Well
It only redraws the masked region, preserving intact areas perfectly—while also fixing PNG transparency and allowing style control. Best of all, it runs offline and free with unlimited use. In real tests, a wedding photo with ~30% damage and alpha channel errors—unfixable by standard AI—was restored to print-quality clarity in just two generations.
Prevent future loss:
- Enable Windows File History or macOS Time Machine immediately
- Turn on Google Photos or iCloud backup
- Store critical PNGs in OneDrive/Dropbox/Google Drive (version history can save you)
Ready to recover your files now?
Download the free scan version of Renee Undeleter—you can preview all recoverable PNG thumbnails before paying.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery Software
Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.
Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.
File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.
Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.
Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.
Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.
Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.
Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.
Why do recovered PNGs sometimes appear gray or corrupted?
Even slight overwriting can leave only partial PNG data intact. The header may be recoverable (so the file appears in scans), but the image data blocks (IDAT) are damaged—resulting in gray or half-rendered images. This is normal and can be fixed using the methods above.
Can I recover PNGs deleted years ago?
Yes—if that disk space hasn’t been heavily reused. In 2025, Renee Undeleter and PhotoRec can still detect ancient PNG signatures, though success drops below 30% after 2+ years of frequent drive usage.
Is it safe to install recovery software on the same drive where files were lost?
Absolutely not! Never do this. Install the software on a different drive (or use a portable version) to avoid overwriting your deleted PNG data.
I formatted an SD card with PNG photos—can they still be recovered?
Yes! Use Renee Undeleter’s Whole Disk Scan or PhotoRec. If you stopped using the card immediately after formatting, recovery success is very high.
Which tool offers the best PNG preview before recovery?
Renee Undeleter and Disk Drill (2025 versions) display actual thumbnails—you can see your image clearly before recovery, virtually guaranteeing success.
Does Android’s “Recently Deleted” folder preserve PNG transparency?
Yes! When restoring from Google Photos Trash or Samsung Gallery Recycle Bin, both transparency and image quality are 100% retained.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery Software
Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.
Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.
File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.
Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.
Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.
Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.
Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.
Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.
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