Cannot create document library or list from SharePoint Site Contents page

Question

I have created a communication site and after working on it for several hours, I cannot create any content in the Site Contents page. For example, there is a button to create a document library or list (just to name two) - but it has disappeared.

Additionally, this and the home page does not display the settings cog. However, if I go into Documents (already created document library), I can create content and access the settings cog.

Any help in bringing these back would be greatly appreciated.

In Site Settings > Site Features, I have the following items activated:

• Following Content
• SharePoint Recommendations
• Site Pages
• Workflow Task Content Type

I had played around with Document Sets, but I have since removed these and deactivated the feature (and am still experiencing the issue).

Answer 1

Dear JM_Taylor

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

Based on your description, it seems that you can't create document library or list in site contents page and the settings cog can't show in site content and home page.

We did a test on our end with the communicate site, we can create the m and the settings icon is display well.

Given this situation, to help us narrow down the behavior, we would like to collect more detailed information about the situation you are experiencing so that we can have further investigation:

• Does other sites also have this behavior? Please try to create a new site then check the behavior.
• Please try to check if other users in this communicate site also experienced the same behavior as yours.
• Kindly try to change to a different browser or use inprivate window to see the outcome.
• Can you share a screenshot to us to show there not display the settings cog?

We’re looking forward to your reply and will continue to help you all the time!  If there are any misunderstanding or unclear, you can post back in your free time.

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely,

Stacey | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

After a few hours, the page returned to normal.

I had attempted to force-refresh, restart my browser and restart my computer, but those were all ruled-out.

If anyone has any insight, it would still be useful.