How to Recover a Deleted REAPER Project (.rpp)

Updated on Oct 20, 2026 | by Qiling

Quick Navigation:

Find Project Backups and Media
Protect the Original Drive
Recover With Qiling Deep Data Recovery
Verify the Recovered Project
Frequently Asked Questions

A REAPER .rpp file describes the session, while recorded media may live in separate folders. Backups such as .rpp-bak may offer a faster path than disk scanning.

Find Project Backups and Media

Check the project's folder and any backup directory configured in REAPER. Backup and autosave behavior depends on preferences, so do not assume a version exists until you find it.

Locate the original .rpp path and the audio source folders. Preserve surviving takes and renders separately; recovering the project alone may leave media offline.

REAPER project-backup options are configurable. An .rpp-bak may be an older saved state, while a waveform peak file is only a display aid and does not replace the project or recorded audio.

Media references in an RPP can point outside the project folder. Before treating a recovered session as corrupt, compare its track list with the original audio locations and verify that the needed WAV or other source files are present.

Protect the Original Drive

Close the project and avoid recording new takes onto its former storage disk. Copy any backup candidate before opening it.

Have another physical drive ready for output. If the original disk is unstable, stop repeated scans.

Recover With Qiling Deep Data Recovery

Qiling Deep Data Recovery provides a visual scan of storage that Windows can detect. In this case, scan the stable local project disk and assess audio files on their own storage drives. A listed file is only a candidate until you open and verify its recovered copy.

Step 1. Inspect RPP Backups

Look for .rpp-bak and timestamped project versions, then test a copy in REAPER before scanning.

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Step 2. Choose the Right Scan

Use Fast Scan for a deleted RPP or Recycle Bin Scan if the bin was emptied. Choose Disk Scan only if the whole session volume is lost.

Step 3. Select the Original Disk

Match the physical drive that contained the .rpp. Do not scan a media-only disk for the missing project file.

Step 4. Review Project Candidates

Compare names, sizes and save dates of .rpp results. A small file may be a valid simple session, so verify in REAPER.

Step 5. Save and Open a Duplicate

Recover to another physical drive. Open a copy, inspect tracks, markers, plugins and the links to recorded audio.

Verify the Recovered Project

Relink offline media from its original location; do not overwrite a valid backup during this check.

Once verified, back up the RPP, recorded media and plugin presets as a set.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an RPP-bak file?

It can be a previous project version when REAPER backup options were enabled.

Will recovering an RPP restore the audio tracks?

The session can reference audio files stored separately; check those files too.

Should I rename a backup on the source drive?

No. Copy it elsewhere before testing or renaming it.