Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications, and more particularly, to cell recovery techniques. One example method generally includes receiving, on a first cell, an indication that one or more channel measurements are to be reported for a second cell for which beam failure is detected; transmitting a first message triggering reporting of at least one preferred beam for communicating on the second cell, the first cell being different from the second cell, wherein the first message is transmitted in response to the indication that the one or more channel measurements are to be reported; receiving a report indicating the at least one preferred beam; and configuring a transmission configuration state in accordance with the at least one preferred beam for communicating on the second cell.