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Fix Microsoft 365 Backup CSV Restore Error for Deleted SharePoint Sites
Question details
Users need to restore a deleted SharePoint site to its original URL using Microsoft 365 Backup, but the CSV restore method fails.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint / Microsoft 365 Backup
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to restore a soft-deleted SharePoint site from a backup CSV file to its original reserved URL.
- Observed behavior
- The CSV restore job reports that no sites match the specified URL because the site is in a soft-deleted state and is not recognized as an active destination.
Ensure you are logged into Microsoft 365 with Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator privileges to access the SharePoint admin center and manage deleted sites.
Activate the Soft-Deleted Site from the Admin Center First
Use this method to change the site's status from soft-deleted to active, allowing the CSV-based backup restore to successfully target the original URL.
Microsoft 365 Backup requires the destination URL to exist and be active. When a site is soft-deleted, its URL is reserved but the site itself is inactive, causing CSV restore jobs to fail. Manually restoring it first resolves this conflict.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin portal and navigate to the SharePoint admin center from the left-hand navigation pane.
Expand the 'Sites' menu in the left sidebar and click on 'Deleted sites' to view all soft-deleted SharePoint sites.
Select the checkbox next to the SharePoint site you want to recover, and click the 'Restore' button in the top toolbar to make the site active again.
Once the site is active and accessible via its original URL, run your Microsoft 365 Backup CSV restore job again. It will now recognize the destination and restore your data successfully.
Restore the SharePoint Backup to a New URL
If you cannot restore the original site or prefer to leave the soft-deleted site as is, you can direct the backup restore to a completely different URL.
Enhance Team Collaboration with WPS Office
While resolving SharePoint server and admin configurations, you can maintain team productivity with WPS Office. It's a lightweight, feature-rich suite that fully supports Microsoft formats and offers seamless document collaboration.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Sign In and Collaborate: Launch WPS Office, sign in to your account, and start creating, sharing, and collaborating on documents immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft 365 Backup say 'no sites match the URL' during a CSV restore?
This error occurs because the target SharePoint site is currently in a 'soft-deleted' state. Although the original URL is reserved by the system, the site itself is not recognized as an active destination by the backup restore process.
How long do soft-deleted SharePoint sites remain available for recovery?
Soft-deleted SharePoint sites are typically kept in the SharePoint admin center's recycle bin for 93 days. After this retention period, they are permanently deleted and can only be recovered if you have a separate backup solution.
Do I need special permissions to restore a deleted SharePoint site?
Yes, you must be assigned either the Global Administrator or the SharePoint Administrator role in your Microsoft 365 organization to view the 'Deleted sites' page and perform restorations.
Can I bypass the soft-deleted state entirely?
If you do not want to reactivate the soft-deleted site, you can modify your restore CSV file to point to a completely new, unused URL. This allows the backup software to recreate the site contents in a fresh environment.
