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Fix SharePoint Online Document Library 404 Error After Migration
Question details
The user needs to resolve a 404 Not Found error in a SharePoint Online document library following a failed migration from an on-premises environment.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Migrating documents from SharePoint 2016 on-premises to Microsoft 365 SharePoint Online.
- Observed behavior
- The destination document library returns a 404 Not Found error, preventing users from accessing the migrated site and documents.
Ensure you have SharePoint Administrator or Global Administrator privileges in your Microsoft 365 tenant before attempting to recover deleted sites or review admin configurations.
Check and Restore the Deleted Site in SharePoint Admin Center
Verify if the destination site was accidentally deleted or unlinked during the migration failure and restore it from the admin center.
Often, a failed migration can cause the destination site to be temporarily removed or deleted. Checking the Deleted Sites repository is the quickest way to regain access to your document library.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials, and navigate to the SharePoint admin center.
In the left-hand navigation pane, expand the 'Sites' dropdown menu and select 'Deleted sites'.
Use the search bar to look for the URL or name of the destination site that is currently throwing the 404 error.
Select the checkbox next to the site name and click the 'Restore' button at the top of the list to recover the site and its document libraries.
Contact Microsoft 365 Support for Backend Recovery
If the site is missing from the deleted sites list or cannot be restored manually, Microsoft support can investigate backend logs.
A Lightweight Alternative for Your Office Needs
While dealing with complex SharePoint migrations and Microsoft 365 backend issues, consider trying WPS Office for a hassle-free, lightweight, and completely free Office alternative. It offers a familiar interface and seamless transition for your daily document management tasks.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files with full format retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my SharePoint document library show a 404 error after migration?
A 404 error typically occurs if the destination site URL was altered, the site was accidentally deleted by the migration tool upon encountering an error, or there was a sync failure that corrupted the library path.
How long do deleted SharePoint sites stay in the recycle bin?
Deleted SharePoint sites are kept in the SharePoint admin center's 'Deleted sites' retention area for 93 days. After this period, they are permanently deleted.
Can Microsoft support recover permanently deleted SharePoint sites?
If the 93-day retention period has passed, standard recovery is not possible. However, in limited circumstances and if reported immediately (typically within a 14-day window after permanent deletion), Microsoft support might be able to recover data from backend backups.
Does restoring a deleted site also restore all its document libraries?
Yes, restoring a deleted SharePoint site from the admin center will restore all its lists, document libraries, pages, and sub-sites to their exact state prior to deletion.
