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How to Find a Missing SharePoint Site with a Duplicate Group Alias
Question details
The user needs to locate a newly created SharePoint site that is missing from the start page and preventing the creation of a new site due to a duplicate alias error.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user recently created a SharePoint site but cannot find it on the start page. When attempting to recreate it, the system reports that a Microsoft 365 group with the same alias already exists.
- Observed behavior
- The newly created site does not appear on the SharePoint start page, and trying to create another site with the same name results in an error about a preexisting duplicate Microsoft 365 group alias.
Keep in mind that when a new SharePoint Online site is created, it can take up to 24 hours for the site to fully propagate and appear on the SharePoint start page.
Locate the Connected Site via Outlook Groups
Since SharePoint team sites are connected to Microsoft 365 groups, you can easily bypass the start page delay by finding the group in Outlook and accessing the site directly.
Every time a SharePoint team site is created, a corresponding Microsoft 365 group is generated. Finding this group allows you to access the hidden site.
Launch your Outlook desktop application or log into Outlook on the web using your Microsoft 365 credentials.
Navigate to the Groups section in the left-hand folder pane and search for the name of the Microsoft 365 group that matches your missing SharePoint site.
Click on the group to open its details. Click on the group header or the 'More options' (...) menu, and select 'Site' to launch the connected SharePoint site in your browser.
Once the SharePoint site is open, click the 'Not following' star icon in the top right corner to change it to 'Following'. This ensures the site will appear in the Following section of your SharePoint start page.
Find the Site in the SharePoint Admin Center
Microsoft 365 administrators can bypass discovery delays by locating the site directly within the SharePoint admin center's Active sites list.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Collaboration
While waiting for your SharePoint site and Microsoft 365 groups to sync, consider WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers a familiar interface and robust document management tools for all your collaboration needs.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free version of WPS Office from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Easily open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files directly in WPS Office without any format conversion issues.
- 3. Collaborate in the Cloud: Use WPS Cloud to share documents with your team and collaborate efficiently outside of the SharePoint environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint say a group alias already exists when I recreate the site?
When you initially created the SharePoint site, a corresponding Microsoft 365 group was successfully generated in the background. This group reserves the email alias, which triggers the duplicate error if you try to use the exact same name for a new site, even if the first site hasn't appeared on your start page yet.
How long does it take for a newly created SharePoint site to appear?
It can take up to 24 hours for a newly created SharePoint site to be fully indexed by Microsoft's search topology and become visible on the SharePoint start page.
What happens when I follow a SharePoint site?
Clicking the 'Follow' star icon bookmarks the site to your personal profile. This ensures the site bypasses standard discovery delays and immediately appears in the 'Following' section of your SharePoint start page for quick access.
