expression, adverb
as it was before; back to the original state
Used adverbially to describe returning something to its previous condition or state. Often appears with verbs like 戻す, 直す, or なる.
壊れた棚を元の通りに直した。
I fixed the broken shelf back to how it was before.
部屋を元の通りに片付けてください。
Please tidy up the room the way it was.
元通り is a more compact noun/adverb meaning 'back to normal' or 'as before', often used without の. 元の通り is slightly more explicit and descriptive.
Phrase composed of 元 (もと, 'origin') + の (possessive particle) + 通り (とおり, 'way, as'). Literally 'in the way of the original'.