Others

How to Fix Deleted Viva Engage Users Keep Reappearing

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users who were permanently removed from the Viva Engage network continue to appear.

How to Fix Deleted Viva Engage Users Keep Reappearing

Product: Viva Engage (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing network administration and removing inactive or departing users in Viva Engage.
Observed behavior: Deleted users keep reappearing even though their Microsoft 365 accounts are completely blocked and unlicensed.

Before you start

Verify that the affected users' Microsoft 365 accounts are fully blocked, unlicensed, and properly removed from Microsoft Entra ID before proceeding with troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Support Request in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Since this is typically a tenant-level synchronization or server-side issue, Microsoft Support must investigate the backend data.

When a user is deleted from Microsoft 365, the changes are supposed to synchronize automatically with Viva Engage. If this synchronization fails or gets stuck on the server side, the users will remain visible in your network.

Because administrators cannot manually force this backend synchronization, intervention by Microsoft Support is required to clear these orphaned accounts.

Log in to the Admin Center

Navigate to Help & Support

Click on the 'Support' tab on the left-hand navigation menu and select 'Help & support'.

Search for your issue

Briefly describe your issue in the search bar by typing 'Deleted Viva Engage users still appearing' and press Enter.

Contact support

Scroll down to the bottom of the pane and select 'Contact support' to open a ticket. Request the support agent to collect logs and review the backend synchronization data for your tenant.

Create a Support Request in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Information Requirements: Have the specific usernames, email addresses, and the exact date of deletion ready to provide to the support agent to speed up the investigation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Lightweight and Hassle-Free Office Suite?

While Microsoft 365 offers advanced enterprise social tools like Viva Engage, it can sometimes suffer from complex synchronization issues. If you need a straightforward, fast, and highly compatible office suite for your daily document needs without the backend complexities, WPS Office is an excellent free alternative.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and instantly create, edit, or save your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Lightweight design with fast installation and loading times.Familiar and intuitive user interface for seamless migration.All-in-one suite to manage documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs without complicated cloud sync issues.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do deleted users still show up in Viva Engage?

This usually happens due to a delay or failure in the synchronization process between Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) and the Viva Engage network infrastructure.

How long does it normally take for a deleted user to disappear from Viva Engage?

Under normal circumstances, it can take up to 30 days for a deleted Microsoft 365 user account to be completely removed from Viva Engage due to the standard data retention period.

Can I manually force a synchronization between Microsoft 365 and Viva Engage?

No, tenant-level synchronization is handled automatically on the server side. If accounts are stuck, you must contact Microsoft Support to resolve the backend sync issue.

Office Quick Solutions