I lost access to my Azure repo tab

Question

I am the only admin in this account and overnight my azure repo tab disapeared. The repo doesn't show up in the list of services either. Other people that I manage the devops board for can see the repo tab and access it, but I cannot. I have tried multiple browsers and signed out and signed back in. In git, I get the following error:

The Git repository with name or identifier {RepoName} does not exist or you do not have permissions for the operation you are attempting.

Any ideas where the repo went?

Answer 1

This usually points to an access-level, identity, or permissions issue rather than the repository being deleted, especially since other users can still see and use Repos.

Try these checks in order:

1. Verify the signed-in identity
   • If the same sign-in address exists as both a work or school account and a personal account, Azure DevOps can sign in with the wrong identity.
   • Fully sign out of Azure DevOps:
     1. Close all browsers.
     2. Open an incognito/private window.
     3. Go to https://aka.ms/vssignout.
     4. Sign in again and select the other identity if prompted.
   • This is especially relevant when one identity can access the org but another cannot.
2. Check access level in Azure DevOps
   • In Organization settings > Users, confirm the account is assigned Basic or higher.
   • Users with Stakeholder access can lose access to Azure Repos features.
   • If access changed overnight, a subscription or assigned access level may have changed.
3. Check repository permissions
   • In Project settings > Repositories > Security, verify the account or its group has at least Read permission on the repo.
   • If code needs to be pushed, also verify Contribute.
   • Project access alone does not guarantee repo access.
4. Check whether Repos is disabled for the project
   • If the Repos service was turned off at the project level, it won’t appear in the services list.
   • Check Project settings > Overview > Azure DevOps services and confirm Repos is enabled.
5. Refresh permission state
   • If permissions were recently changed, the client might need a refresh to recognize them.
   • After confirming access level and repo permissions, sign out and back in again.
6. If the account is the only admin and still cannot see Repos
   • If the organization or identity state changed in a way Azure DevOps no longer recognizes correctly, this may require Microsoft investigation.
   • File a problem report on Developer Community.

The error message:

The Git repository with name or identifier {RepoName} does not exist or you do not have permissions for the operation you are attempting.

fits a permissions or identity mismatch scenario. Since other users still have access, the repo most likely still exists.

---

• Troubleshoot access and permission issues
• User and permissions management FAQs
• Troubleshoot access and permission issues
• Troubleshoot access and permission issues
• Not able to access my organization on Azure Devops - Microsoft Q&A

Answer 2

Hey there, Nathan Newman

It could be that you are down as a stakeholder. If you have stakeholder access, you will not see the Repos link. To check, please can you sign into your users page in your organisation. To get there, please sign into your account here: https://aex.dev.azure.com/me

Once you have signed into your account, please click onto your organisation name

Then click onto "Organisation settings" at the bottom-left of the screen

This will take you to your org settings. On the left-hand side menu, please click onto "Users"

Then check your access level. Please note that if you were a Visual Studios subscriber, which has expired or being cancelled, you will automatically be converted to a stakeholder. This is what I have recently found out after I was checking for myself. If this is the case, please hover over your account and click onto the more options icon on the right-hand side to change this.

This will provide you an option to change access.

Hope this helps,
Nathan