“Document not found” – Document or file being referenced doesn’t exist.

If you’re seeing the error message “Document not found” in SharePoint, it typically means that the file or document being referenced cannot be located. This can happen due to several reasons, including permission issues, accidental deletion, incorrect URLs, or synchronization problems. Below is a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting and resolving this issue.

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Step 1: Verify the Document’s URL

1. Check the link
   • Ensure that the URL you are trying to access is correct. Sometimes, links may be copied incorrectly or contain typos.
   • If the document was moved, renamed, or deleted, an old link might no longer work.
2. Manually navigate to the document
   • Open your SharePoint site.
   • Use the Search bar to look for the document by name.
   • Try navigating through the Document Library where the file was originally located.
3. Check for extra characters in the URL
   • Sometimes, special characters (e.g., %20 for spaces) or additional symbols can cause a broken link.

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Step 2: Check If the Document Was Moved, Renamed, or Deleted

1. Check the “Recycle Bin”
   • Open SharePoint.
   • Click on Settings ⚙️ (gear icon in the top-right corner).
   • Select Site Contents > Recycle Bin.
   • If the file is in the Recycle Bin, restore it.
2. Check “Second-Stage Recycle Bin”
   • If the file isn’t in the regular Recycle Bin, click on Second-Stage Recycle Bin (at the bottom of the Recycle Bin page).
   • If found, restore the file.
3. Look in Version History
   • If the file was edited recently, check if an older version is available:
     • Right-click on the document (if visible).
     • Select Version History to see previous versions.

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Step 3: Check User Permissions

1. Ensure You Have Access to the Document
   • If the document exists but you see “Access Denied”, you may not have permission to view it.
   • Contact the Site Administrator to check if your account has the necessary permissions.
2. Check Library or Folder Permissions
   • Navigate to the Document Library where the file was stored.
   • Click on the three dots (...) next to the document and choose Manage Access.
   • Ensure your name appears in the list with appropriate access rights.
3. Request Access
   • If you don’t have access, you can request it from the administrator.
   • Click on the “Request Access” button (if available).

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Step 4: Check if the Document Was Shared Incorrectly

1. Check Shared Links
   • If the document was shared with you via a link, try the following:
     • Ask the sender to resend the link.
     • Ensure the sender used the correct sharing settings.
2. Verify the Expiration Date of the Shared Link
   • Some SharePoint links expire after a set period.
   • Ask the sender to create a new share link if the previous one has expired.

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Step 5: Use SharePoint Search to Find the Document

1. Go to SharePoint’s Search Bar
   • Enter the document name or keywords related to the file.
   • Try searching within different folders and libraries.
2. Use Advanced Search Filters
   • Use filters such as “Modified Date”, “Author”, or “File Type” to narrow down your search.

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Step 6: Check If SharePoint Sync Issues Are Causing the Problem

1. Refresh the Page
   • Sometimes, a simple page refresh (F5 or Ctrl+R) resolves minor loading issues.
2. Check OneDrive or SharePoint Sync Client
   • If the document is stored in OneDrive for Business and synced with SharePoint:
     • Open the OneDrive app on your computer.
     • Check for any sync errors.
3. Restart the SharePoint Sync Client
   • Click on the OneDrive icon in your system tray.
   • Select Pause syncing and then Resume syncing.

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Step 7: Contact IT Support or SharePoint Administrator

1. If the document is missing and cannot be found using the above steps, contact your SharePoint Administrator or IT Support team.
2. Provide details such as:
   • Document name
   • Last known location
   • Approximate date of last access
   • Any changes that might have been made

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Final Thoughts

• If the document is accidentally deleted, restore it from the Recycle Bin.
• If it was moved or renamed, try searching for it in SharePoint.
• If you lack permission, request access from an administrator.
• If the shared link is broken, ask the sender to re-share it.

Would you like any additional troubleshooting steps?