Trace the reference and the object separately
Start with the exact object key or identifier recorded by the application. Check whether an object exists at that location and whether the application is using the same storage connection and environment as the record. A typo, different prefix, or development-versus-production mismatch can make a valid object appear missing.
If the object is absent, review the operation history or the process that manages uploads and deletions. The file may have been renamed, replaced with a new key, or removed while the database entry remained. Do not create a new file under an assumed name until you know whether the old content should be recovered or the record should point to a different object.
Repair the relationship and prevent a repeat
Once you identify the intended content, either restore it to the expected key or update the database reference to the correct object. Confirm that the application can retrieve the file using the same path it uses in normal operation. If the file is no longer needed, remove or mark the stale database reference according to the application's data rules.
Define how uploads, replacements, and deletions update both storage and database records. Where a single operation cannot update both reliably, add a reconciliation check that can find missing objects or unused references. Test the lifecycle with sample files so a future rename or cleanup does not silently break links in the application.