Fix SharePoint Error: Something Went Wrong and File Not Found
Question details
The user needs to resolve a SharePoint page error that displays "Something Went Wrong" and "File Not Found" when trying to access a site or a specific SiteAssets file.

- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating to a SharePoint site homepage or attempting to load a specific site page (such as index.aspx) in the browser.
- Observed behavior
- Instead of loading the requested SharePoint page, the system displays an error message stating "Something Went Wrong" followed by "File Not Found".
Ensure you have access to the SharePoint Admin Center, as resolving this issue requires granting yourself Site Administrator permissions and accessing backend site contents.
Verify Site Administrator Permissions and Restore Missing Pages
Use the SharePoint Admin Center to grant yourself proper access, navigate to the hidden Site Contents page, and restore the missing Home page or index.aspx from the recycle bin.
This error typically occurs when the default home page (like index.aspx) or its containing Site Pages library is accidentally deleted or moved. You must first ensure you have the highest level of access to the site to view hidden files and the recycle bin.
Log in to the SharePoint admin center. Navigate to 'Active sites', select the affected site, and click on 'Membership'. Add your user account as a site administrator.
Open a new browser tab and manually enter the site contents URL by appending '/_layouts/15/viewlsts.aspx?view=14' to your base SharePoint site URL (e.g., https://yourdomain.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite/_layouts/15/viewlsts.aspx?view=14).
In the Site Contents list, look for the 'Site Pages' library and verify if your Home page (usually index.aspx) is missing.
If the page is missing, click on 'Recycle bin' in the top right or left navigation menu. Select the missing page and click 'Restore'. If the page cannot be found in the recycle bin, you will need to create a new page and set it as the site homepage.

Manage Your Documents Locally with WPS Office
While troubleshooting cloud-based server errors like SharePoint's "File Not Found", consider using WPS Office for your document management. It provides a robust, locally installed suite that prevents you from being locked out of your work during cloud outages.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open or drag-and-drop your .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files to start editing offline.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my SharePoint home page suddenly disappear causing a File Not Found error?
A home page often disappears if it was accidentally deleted by a user with editing permissions, moved to a different document library, or if the permissions for the Site Pages library were altered.
How long do deleted files stay in the SharePoint Recycle Bin?
By default, deleted items are retained in the SharePoint Recycle Bin for 93 days. During this period, site administrators can easily restore the files to their original locations.
What should I do if the missing SharePoint page is not in the Recycle Bin?
If the page is not in the first-stage user Recycle Bin, scroll to the bottom of the Recycle Bin page and click 'Second-stage recycle bin' (accessible only to site admins). If it has been purged from there as well, the page is permanently deleted and must be rebuilt.




