Unable to Delete Version

Question

I am trying to delete versions from a document and for some reason I constantly get and error

Sorry, something went wrong. Versions of the item cannot be deleted because it is on hold or retention policy.

I have also posted before that on the same site, I does not remove any older version. We have set to keep 50 minor versions. We are currently at 200

I have disabled our "keep" retention policy and it has been deleted

This policy was applied to the whole business and on majority sites (ones I have tested) this is working perfectly. So don't believe that I have to wait any longer as the rest of the business work.

However this one specific site it does not allow me to do anything.

I have checked eDiscovery, we have nothing there.

I have check Record Management - all enabled to delete

Anything else I can do / check

Answer 1

Dear Sn,

Thanks for writing back and updating with us. Apologies for the delay in the response.

As per the further updates, I believe there should be some confusion on option “**Keep the following number of major versions”**i.e., when you set the number at the Keep the following number of major versions in the Versioning Settings, the minor versions will be available only for the latest number of major version mentioned in the settings.

Per your versioning settings, the maximum major versions for each item in your Library or List will be 100 and the minors version will be available only for latest 20 major versions. For example, if you have 80 Major versions for a file in the library, then the minor versions will be available only for recent 20 Major versions.

For reference: How versioning works in lists and libraries - Microsoft Support

If still there is any misunderstanding, we are sorry and request you to share the more detailed information which will help us to better understand and guide you further.

Appreciate your patience and understanding with us. Have a great day!!

Best Regards,

Sophia

Answer 2

Good Morning.

I can confirm that our versions are not being deleted.

We have set the max minor versions to 20 as per the attached

However the minor versions are currently sitting at 207 - this is running consecutively

.

Answer 3

Good Morning.

Thank you very much. I was able to locate an old retention policy that was having a hold via the link you provided. Thank you for that.

Versioning as per the attached - just another one, Drafts set to 20 on this one. but yes running from 1 - 200 none deleted in between.

I will have a look and see if the hold that i just removed potentially added to it.

![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/2f361a53-ec6a-41d8-bcc3-573c6c5d691d?platform=QnA

Answer 4

Dear Sn,

Good day!!

Apologies for the inconvenience caused and please don’t worry, let’s’ work together on your concern and move towards a resolution path.

I understand your concern and to my knowledge, when you set the number at the minor versions to 50, the SharePoint Online will keep only latest 50 and delete the rest of them automatically without user prevention.

Since you mentioned “We are currently at 200”, I would like to confirm if you scroll down in the Version History of the document, does it show from the 1 are 151?

Moreover, can you please use the Run Diagnostics in the Microsoft 365 Admin center to check whether there is any policy applied on the site level?

Open the Office 365 admin center> Support> Help & Support> Enter Can’t delete versions in the SharePoint Online site> Enter the Site URL> Run Tests

If it displays any policy, please disable them and wait for 24-48 hours and check whether you are able to delete the versions in the SharePoint Online site without any issue.

If there is any misunderstanding, we apologize and request you to share the more detailed information which will help us to better understand and guide you further.

Appreciate your patience and understanding. Have a great day!!

Best Regards,

Sophia