diff --git a/packages/backend/src/graphql/resolvers/recordings.ts b/packages/backend/src/graphql/resolvers/recordings.ts
index 9364b49..885187f 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/graphql/resolvers/recordings.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/graphql/resolvers/recordings.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { GraphQLError } from "graphql";
 import { builder } from "../builder";
 import { RecordingType } from "../types/index";
 import { recordings, recording_plays } from "../../db/schema/index";
-import { eq, and, desc } from "drizzle-orm";
+import { eq, and, desc, ne } from "drizzle-orm";
 import { slugify } from "../../lib/slugify";
 import { awardPoints, checkAchievements } from "../../lib/gamification";
 
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ builder.queryField("recordings", (t) =>
 
       const conditions = [eq(recordings.user_id, ctx.currentUser.id)];
       if (args.status) conditions.push(eq(recordings.status, args.status as any));
+      else conditions.push(ne(recordings.status, "archived" as any));
       if (args.linkedVideoId) conditions.push(eq(recordings.linked_video, args.linkedVideoId));
 
       const limit = args.limit || 50;
@@ -211,10 +212,7 @@ builder.mutationField("deleteRecording", (t) =>
       if (!existing[0]) throw new GraphQLError("Recording not found");
       if (existing[0].user_id !== ctx.currentUser.id) throw new GraphQLError("Forbidden");
 
-      await ctx.db
-        .update(recordings)
-        .set({ status: "archived", date_updated: new Date() })
-        .where(eq(recordings.id, args.id));
+      await ctx.db.delete(recordings).where(eq(recordings.id, args.id));
 
       return true;
     },