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How to Fix SharePoint Custom Site Templates and WSP Uploads Not Working

Anum Mushtaq Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

Administrators are unable to create a SharePoint site using a custom WSP template, as the SharePoint Admin Center redirects unexpectedly or fails during the process.

How to Fix SharePoint Custom Site Templates and WSP Uploads Not Working

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to create a new site collection in Microsoft 365 using an uploaded custom WSP site template.
Observed behavior: The site creation page fails, redirects incorrectly, or defaults to a standard team site creation page instead of displaying the custom templates tab.

Before you start

Ensure you have global administrator or SharePoint administrator privileges in Microsoft 365, and verify that your custom WSP solution is properly uploaded and activated in the solutions gallery.

Solution 1Recommended

Access the Classic Site Creation Page Directly

Bypass the modern admin center redirects by manually accessing the classic site creation URL.

The modern SharePoint Admin Center prioritizes modern site layouts. When interacting with classic WSP templates, the interface may glitch and redirect you to the modern Team Site creation page. Accessing the classic menu directly often resolves this.

Navigate to More Templates

In the SharePoint Admin Center, click on 'Create', choose 'Other options', and then select 'More templates'. If the page fails to load properly, click 'Reload' or 'Cancel'.

Use the Direct Classic URL

If the UI redirect continues to fail, manually type the following URL into your browser: tenant-admin.sharepoint.com/_layouts/15/online/CreateSiteFull.aspx?source=TenantAdmin (replace 'tenant' with your actual Microsoft 365 tenant name).

Select the Custom Tab

Once the classic site creation page loads, check for the 'Custom' tab in the template selection area to find and apply your WSP template.

Access the Classic Site Creation Page Directly

Tenant Name Format: Make sure you retain the '-admin' portion of the URL when swapping in your organization's tenant name, as it points directly to the administrative backend.

Solution 2

Verify and Apply Templates via PowerShell

Use SharePoint Online Management Shell to verify if the site was created in the background and to manually apply templates.

Solution 3

Troubleshoot Browser and Admin Permissions

Rule out local browser caching issues and account-specific permission glitches.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my SharePoint site creation default to a Team Site?

The modern SharePoint Admin Center is designed to prioritize modern Team and Communication sites. If it encounters a rendering error while loading classic components like the Custom templates tab, it may automatically redirect you back to the default modern Team Site creation page as a fallback.

What is a WSP file in SharePoint?

A WSP (Web Part Package or Windows SharePoint Services Solution Package) is a cabinet file that contains customized SharePoint components. These components can include custom site templates, web parts, and specific features deployed by administrators.

How do I know if my WSP template is successfully activated?

After uploading the WSP file to your SharePoint site collection's Solutions Gallery, you must click 'Activate'. If successfully activated, the template should appear under the 'Custom' tab when creating a new subsite or site collection in the classic interface.

Can I apply a classic WSP template to a modern SharePoint site?

Custom WSP site templates are generally designed for classic SharePoint architecture. Modern sites rely on Site Designs and Site Scripts instead. Attempting to apply a classic WSP to a modern site structure may cause compatibility issues or be blocked by Microsoft 365.

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