Fixing “File Version History Not Available” in SharePoint – A Step-by-Step Guide

SharePoint Version History allows users to view, restore, or track changes made to a document. However, sometimes you may encounter an issue where Version History is not accessible, missing, or unavailable for a particular file.

---

Common Error Messages:

• “Version History is not available for this file.”
• “No previous versions found.”
• “Versioning is not enabled for this document library.”
• “You do not have permission to view version history.”

This guide provides detailed troubleshooting steps to fix and restore version history in SharePoint.

---

Step 1: Verify if Versioning is Enabled in SharePoint

By default, SharePoint versioning is not enabled for all document libraries.

How to Check and Enable Versioning:

1. Go to the Document Library where the file is stored.
2. Click Settings (Gear Icon) → Library Settings.
3. Under “Content Types”, select “Versioning Settings”.
4. Check if:
   • Major Versioning is enabled.
   • Minor (Draft) Versions are allowed (for collaboration).
   • The number of stored versions is not set to zero.
5. If versioning is disabled, turn it on and save changes.

✔ If versioning is already enabled, proceed to the next step.

---

Step 2: Check Permissions for Version History Access

If versioning is enabled but you cannot see past versions, it may be due to insufficient permissions.

How to Check and Adjust Permissions:

1. Go to the Document Library.
2. Click Settings → Library Permissions.
3. Check if you have at least “Read” or “Edit” permissions.
4. If necessary, request Full Control from the SharePoint Admin.

✔ Once permissions are updated, try accessing Version History again.

---

Step 3: Access Version History from OneDrive or File Explorer

If you use OneDrive Sync, you may be able to retrieve an older version directly from OneDrive.

For OneDrive:

1. Open OneDrive Online → Navigate to the file.
2. Right-click the file → Click Version History.
3. Restore an earlier version if available.

For File Explorer (Windows Users):

1. Right-click the file → Click Properties.
2. Select the Previous Versions tab.
3. If versions are available, select one and click Restore.

✔ If an older version is found, you can re-upload it to SharePoint.

---

Step 4: Restore from SharePoint Recycle Bin

If a version was deleted accidentally, it may still be in the Recycle Bin.

To Restore from Recycle Bin:

1. Go to the SharePoint Site → Click Recycle Bin.
2. Search for the missing file version.
3. If found, select it and click Restore.

✔ If the file is restored, check its version history again.

---

Step 5: Check if the File Was Moved or Renamed

If a file is moved to another document library, its version history does not carry over.

Find the Original File Location:

1. Search for the file name in SharePoint.
2. Check recent activity logs in the Document Library.
3. If found, check its version history in the original location.

✔ If the file was moved, restore an earlier version manually.

---

Step 6: Restore File from SharePoint Backup

If version history is missing due to system issues, request a backup restore.

Contact Your SharePoint Admin:

1. Request a backup recovery from Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
2. Ask them to restore the document library to a previous state.

✔ If a backup is available, you should regain access to the missing version history.

---

Step 7: Use PowerShell to Retrieve Missing Versions

If version history is missing for many files, use PowerShell to retrieve older versions.

Run This PowerShell Script:

# Connect to SharePoint Online
Connect-PnPOnline -Url "https://yoursharepointsite" -UseWebLogin

# Get Version History for a File
$File = Get-PnPFile -Url "/sites/yoursite/Shared Documents/YourFile.docx" -AsListItem
$FileVersions = Get-PnPProperty -ClientObject $File -Property Versions

# Display Versions
$FileVersions | ForEach-Object { Write-Host "Version: " $_.VersionLabel "Modified by: " $_.CreatedBy }

✔ If versions exist, use PowerShell to restore them.

---

Step 8: Contact Microsoft Support for Data Recovery

If all else fails, Microsoft 365 Support may help recover missing versions.

Steps to Contact Support:

1. Go to Microsoft Admin Center: https://admin.microsoft.com
2. Sign in as an admin.
3. Navigate to Support → New Service Request.
4. Describe the issue and request file version recovery.

✔ Microsoft may be able to restore version history within 14 days of deletion.

---

Preventing Version History Issues in the Future

✔ Enable Versioning for All Document Libraries – Prevents accidental loss.
✔ Set a Retention Policy – Ensures older versions are kept.
✔ Train Users on File Management – Reduces accidental deletions.
✔ Backup Files Regularly – Prevents version history loss.
✔ Use SharePoint Co-Authoring – Avoids version conflicts.

---