Mastering SharePoint
A 404 error in SharePoint indicates that the requested page or resource could not be found on the server. This error is common in web applications and can occur for various reasons.
Here’s a detailed look at the possible causes, troubleshooting steps, and solutions for handling a SharePoint Error 404.
Common Causes of SharePoint Error 404
Incorrect URL: The most common cause of a 404 error is a mistyped or incorrect URL. Ensure that the URL is correct and properly formatted.
Deleted or Moved Content: The requested page or document might have been deleted or moved to a different location without updating the links.
Permissions Issues: The user might not have the necessary permissions to access the requested resource, leading to a 404 error.
Site Collection or Subsite Issues: The site collection or subsite might not exist or has been deleted.
Feature Deactivation: Certain features required for the page to load might have been deactivated.
Custom Solutions or Web Parts: Custom web parts, solutions, or configurations might be causing the error if they are not functioning correctly.
Troubleshooting Steps
Verify the URL: Double-check the URL for typos or errors. Ensure that the path is correct and complete.
Check for Moved or Deleted Content: Confirm whether the content has been moved to a new location or deleted. If moved, update the links accordingly.
Review Permissions: Ensure that the user encountering the error has the appropriate permissions to access the content.
Check Site Collection and Subsite: Verify that the site collection or subsite exists and is accessible.
Inspect Web Parts and Custom Solutions: Review any custom web parts or solutions on the page to ensure they are functioning properly.
Enable Features: Ensure that all necessary features for the site or page are enabled.
Solutions
Correct the URL: If the URL is incorrect, correct it and try accessing the resource again.
Restore or Relink Content:
Restore Deleted Content: If the content has been deleted, restore it from the Recycle Bin.
Update Links: If the content has been moved, update all links to point to the new location.
Adjust Permissions: Modify the permissions to ensure the user has access to the requested resource.
Recreate Missing Site Collections or Subsites: If a site collection or subsite is missing, recreate it or restore it from a backup.
Enable Required Features: Navigate to the site settings and enable any necessary features that may have been deactivated.
Fix Custom Solutions: Review and fix any issues with custom web parts or solutions. This may involve debugging custom code or reconfiguring web parts.
Check ULS Logs: SharePoint’s Unified Logging Service (ULS) logs can provide detailed information about errors. Reviewing these logs can help identify the root cause of the 404 error.
Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes, a cached version of the page might cause issues. Clear the browser cache and try accessing the page again.
Steps for Site Administrators
Use SharePoint Designer: Open the site in SharePoint Designer to check for broken links and verify the structure of the site.
Check for Missing Master Pages or Page Layouts: Ensure that master pages or page layouts required for rendering the site are present and not corrupted.
Verify Site Collection Settings: Check the settings for the site collection to ensure they are correct and not causing the issue.
Perform Health Checks: Run SharePoint health checks to ensure the overall health of the SharePoint environment.
Example: Troubleshooting a 404 Error in SharePoint
Scenario
A user reports a 404 error when trying to access a document library.
Steps Taken
Verify URL: Confirmed the URL is correct and points to the document library.
Check Permissions: Verified the user has read permissions for the document library.
Inspect Site Collection: Confirmed the site collection and subsite exist and are accessible.
Review ULS Logs: Checked the ULS logs for detailed error messages. Found an error indicating a missing web part.
Fix Custom Web Part: Identified a custom web part causing the issue, debugged, and fixed the code.
Solution
After fixing the custom web part, the 404 error was resolved, and the user could access the document library without issues.
Conclusion
A SharePoint Error 404 can be caused by various factors, including incorrect URLs, deleted or moved content, permissions issues, and problems with custom solutions. By systematically troubleshooting the issue and addressing the underlying causes, you can resolve 404 errors and ensure that users have seamless access to SharePoint resources.
