How to Fix SharePoint Site Shows a 404 File Not Found Error
Question details
The user is unable to access a SharePoint site or subsite containing work documents.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating to a previously accessible SharePoint site or subsite (such as via a 'Following' bookmark) to view or manage work documents.
- Observed behavior
- The page displays a 404 File Not Found error, and the missing site cannot be found in the standard user Recycle Bin or dashboard.
Verify whether you have SharePoint Administrator privileges, as standard users cannot restore deleted site collections and will need to contact their IT department.
Restore the Deleted Site via Microsoft 365 Admin Center
If the SharePoint site or subsite was accidentally deleted, a SharePoint Administrator can restore it directly from the administrative portal.
When a SharePoint site or subsite is deleted, it is completely removed from regular user access and moved to the Deleted sites list in the admin center. Only users holding SharePoint Admin or Global Admin rights can access this section to perform a site restoration.
Log into the Microsoft 365 admin center using an administrator account.
In the left navigation pane, click on 'Show all' to reveal the full list of admin centers.
Expand the 'SharePoint' admin center, click on 'Sites', and then select 'Deleted sites'.
Locate and select the deleted site or subsite (such as 'RETAIL SALES') from the list, then click the 'Restore' button to immediately recover the site and all of its associated documents.
Contact Your IT Department or SharePoint Administrator
Use this solution if you are a standard user and do not have administrative access to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Manage Your Documents Effectively with WPS Office
While resolving SharePoint 404 server errors requires IT administrator intervention, keeping local or personal cloud copies of your critical work files can prevent workflow interruptions. WPS Office offers a completely free, fast, and feature-rich alternative for handling your documents locally without relying entirely on complex server setups.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free application and run the installation wizard.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and click 'Open' to view and edit your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files instantly.
- 3. Save and Backup: Edit your documents and securely save them locally or sync them to WPS Cloud to ensure they are always accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the deleted SharePoint subsite still appear in my 'Following' list?
The 'Following' list in SharePoint relies on a cached directory that takes time to synchronize across the server. Even if a site is deleted and returns a 404 error when clicked, its shortcut might remain visible on your dashboard until the caching system fully updates.
Can I recover files from a deleted SharePoint site using my personal Recycle Bin?
No. When an entire site or subsite is deleted, it bypasses the standard site-level user Recycle Bin. The entire site container can only be located and restored from the SharePoint Admin Center's specific 'Deleted sites' list by an authorized administrator.
How long does a SharePoint administrator have to restore a deleted site?
Deleted SharePoint sites and all of their contained documents are retained in the admin center's Recycle Bin for exactly 93 days. After this 93-day retention period expires, the site is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
