Abstract Dose recovery tests were performed on potassium feldspar using the single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) multi-elevated-temperature post-IR IRSL (MET-pIRIR) dating protocol with a large number of samples from various backgrounds. The dose recovery ratios were always smaller than unity for the 50 °C IRSL signal, but the ratios increased with signals from elevated temperatures. For the pIRIR signal at 250 °C, the recovery ratios were within the range of 1.0 ± 0.1. Underestimations of the recovery ratios for low-temperature IRSL signals resulted from the increase of the electron trapping probability during the first preheat treatment. The electron trapping probability can be reset by solar bleaching. The modified SAR protocol with solar bleaching behind each cycle or the MAR protocol is recommended if the low-temperature IRSL signals are applied to obtain ages. Solar simulator with the xenon arc lamp is more efficient in reducing the electron trapping probability compared to the sunlight. Bleaching duration with the solar simulator should be chosen with caution.