SharePoint Document Issues

How to Restore a Missing SharePoint Page Returning Error 404

Maira Mehtab Sep 24, 2026 869 views

Question details

A user encounters a 404 error when trying to load a missing SharePoint page that is also absent from the primary recycle bin.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user needs to recover a deleted or missing SharePoint page that returns a 404 error and cannot be found in the standard recycle bin.
Observed behavior: The SharePoint page returns a 404 error and does not appear in the primary recycle bin.

Before you start

Before attempting recovery, ensure you have the exact URL of the missing SharePoint page and verify whether you have the necessary administrator credentials to access advanced site settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Recover the Page from the Second-Stage Recycle Bin

If the page was permanently deleted from the primary recycle bin, a site collection administrator can recover it from the second-stage recycle bin.

SharePoint features a two-stage recycle bin process to protect against accidental deletions. When an item is cleared from the primary recycle bin, it is sent to the second-stage (site collection) recycle bin. Administrator privileges are required to access this area.

Log in as Administrator

Navigate to Site Settings

Go to the affected SharePoint site, click on the Gear (Settings) icon, and select 'Site information' followed by 'View all site settings'.

Access the Recycle Bin

Under the 'Site Collection Administration' section, click on 'Recycle bin' to view the second-stage deletions.

Restore the Page

Locate the missing page in the list, select the checkbox next to it, and click the 'Restore' button at the top of the page.

Admin Access Required: You must be a SharePoint or Microsoft 365 administrator to access the second-stage recycle bin. If you are a standard user, you will need to request this action from your IT department.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support for Advanced Recovery

If the page is missing from both recycle bins, Microsoft Support may be able to restore it from backend server backups if contacted promptly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I getting a 404 error on my SharePoint page?

A 404 error indicates the server cannot find the requested page. This usually happens if the page was deleted, its URL was changed, or the site permissions were altered, preventing access to the content.

How long do deleted pages stay in the SharePoint recycle bins?

Deleted items are kept for a total of 93 days across both the first-stage and second-stage recycle bins. Once this 93-day period expires, they are automatically and permanently deleted from the system.

Can any user restore a page from the second-stage recycle bin?

No. While regular users can restore items they deleted from their primary recycle bin, only site collection administrators or Microsoft 365 admins can access and restore files from the second-stage recycle bin.

How much time do I have to request a Microsoft Support restore?

Microsoft typically retains backend backups for an additional 14 days beyond the standard 93-day recycle bin retention period. Restoration requests must be made by an administrator within this strict window and are not guaranteed.

Document & File Issues