# Snapshot Recovery Results in Empty Index for Dense Vector Embeddings (v8.18.2)

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/snapshot-recovery-results-in-empty-index-for-dense-vector-embeddings-v8-18-2/380168>\
**Category:** Elasticsearch\
**Tags:** snapshot-and-restore, vector-search\
**Created:** [July 16, 2025, 9:16am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/snapshot-recovery-results-in-empty-index-for-dense-vector-embeddings-v8-18-2/380168 "2025-07-16T09:16:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Khanh\_Chuong\_Le](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/khanh_chuong_le/32/144188_2.png) [@Khanh\_Chuong\_Le](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Khanh_Chuong_Le)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 9:16am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/snapshot-recovery-results-in-empty-index-for-dense-vector-embeddings-v8-18-2/380168/1 "2025-07-16T09:16:13Z")

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I am experiencing an issue with Elasticsearch version 8.18.2 on a self-managed setup. I've set up an index with vector embeddings, templated as dense vectors. The index contains thousands of documents and search operations work correctly. However, when I create a backup using the snapshot functionality and attempt to restore it, the recovered index is empty. The recovery of non-vector-based indexes works as expected.

**Steps to Reproduce:**

1. **Environment Details:**

2. **Index Details:**

```auto
"vector": {
  "type": "dense_vector",
  "dims": 512
}

```

1. **Snapshot Process:**

2. **Restore Process:**

**Expected Behavior:**  
The restored index should contain all documents and data identical to the state during the snapshot.

**Actual Behavior:**  
The restored index is present in Elasticsearch but contains no documents.

**Additional Context:**

- Elasticsearch logs during snapshot and restore processes
- Any configuration settings on Elasticsearch that might be relevant
- Whether you've tested with different versions or settings to isolate the issue

**Requests:**

- Any known issues regarding snapshot and restore for dense vector indices?
- Suggestions on additional steps I could take to diagnose or fix the issue?
- Any debugging insights or recommendations?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mayya](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/mayya/32/83147_2.png) [@mayya](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/mayya)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 1:33pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/snapshot-recovery-results-in-empty-index-for-dense-vector-embeddings-v8-18-2/380168/2 "2025-08-12T13:33:02Z")

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> [@Khanh\_Chuong\_Le](#):
>
> official doc

Snapshot and restore for vector indices should work exactly as as with any other index.  
Are there any log messages/ error message ?