SharePoint admins manage site storage in the SharePoint admin center. Automatic mode pools storage for all sites. Manual mode sets a limit per site up to 25600 GB. Site admins request more quota from the Storage Metrics page. Microsoft does not state what happens at the exact limit.
Users see storage warnings when a SharePoint site approaches its limit. Your storage mode decides the fix. Microsoft documents both modes and the request process for more quota.
Facts follow the Microsoft Learn page Manage site storage limits. Older posts call the platform SharePoint Online in Office 365. Microsoft now documents it under Microsoft 365.
Which Storage Mode does Your Organization Use?
- Automatic. This is the default. Storage is a central pool that all sites draw from. Admins do not divide or reallocate space.
- Manual. Admins set individual site storage limits.
Switching from manual to pooled storage resets all site limits to 25 TB (25600 GB). Organization totals can be less than 25 TB. Open Settings and then Site storage limits in the SharePoint admin center to select a mode.
How to Check Storage Usage?
Open Active sites in the SharePoint admin center. Its storage bar in the upper right shows available and total storage for the subscription. Usage does not include changes from the last 24 to 48 hours. Site admins see Storage Metrics in Site Settings.
How to Raise a Site Storage Limit?
- Open Active sites and select the site.
- On the General tab select Edit under Storage limit.
- Enter the maximum storage in GB. Microsoft sets the ceiling at 25600 GB.
- Enable Notifications and enter a percentage. Site owners receive an email at that level.
- Select Save.
This path needs manual mode. Microsoft states that 25600 GB can exceed the actual storage of your organization.
How to Request More Quota as a Site Admin?
- Open Site Settings.
- Select Site Collection Administration and then Storage Metrics.
- Select Request more quota in the upper right.
This sends a storage request email to the Global Administrators. When the organization has no storage left a Global Administrator adds storage to the subscription. Microsoft links a separate page for that task.
Does Deleting a Site Free Storage?
Deleted sites in the Recycle Bin do not count toward the total storage usage of the organization. Microsoft gives this fact for sites and says nothing about deleted files.
What does Microsoft Not Say?
Microsoft does not state what happens when a site reaches its quota. Microsoft gives no PowerShell steps there. It also leaves out the license based storage formula and points to the SharePoint limits page instead. Older posts show steps from the Office 365 era that this page does not confirm.
Related reading: SharePoint Online migration checklist and what is cloud storage and how it works.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do You Fix SharePoint Online Storage Quota Exceeded?
Check usage in Active sites. In manual mode raise the site limit. Site admins can also request more quota from Storage Metrics.
What is the Maximum Site Storage Limit?
25600 GB per site according to Microsoft. That value can exceed the actual storage of your organization.
Who Receives a Quota Request?
Global Administrators receive the storage request email.
Does the Recycle Bin Count Toward Storage?
Microsoft states that deleted sites in the Recycle Bin do not count toward total storage usage.
How Soon does Usage Update?
Usage in the admin center excludes the last 24 to 48 hours.
Key Takeaways
- Automatic mode pools storage and manual mode sets site limits.
- Site limits top out at 25600 GB.
- Site admins request more quota from Storage Metrics.
- Deleted sites in the Recycle Bin do not count toward usage.
- Microsoft does not state the behavior at the exact limit.
Sources and References
Facts follow Microsoft Learn.
- Manage site storage limits (Microsoft Learn) learn.microsoft.com