Unable to reach the server where the service is. Consider using calling deleteItem with options = { 'force' : true } if the server won't be available anymore

Error Message

Attempting to delete a detached item in the My Content tab in Portal for ArcGIS returns the following error message:

Error:   
Unable to reach the server where the service is. Consider using calling deleteItem with options = { 'force' : true } if the server won't be available anymore.

Cause

The error occurs when Portal for ArcGIS is unable to reach the server hosting the service of the detached item. Described below are potential causes for this issue:

• Common certificate issue, for example, a mismatch in certificate name of the elements of the federated environment: Portal for ArcGIS, ArcGIS Server, and IIS Web Server
• A mismatch in the Service URL and Administration URL during configuration setting in federation

Solution or Workaround

Instead of re-configuring the connection between Portal for ArcGIS and the server, users may opt to force delete the detached item using the deleteItem operation in the Portal REST API directories. To do so, refer to the workflow described below:

Note:
Only administrators have the privileges to perform the steps below.

1. Obtain the item ID of the detached item.
   1. Navigate to the following URL:

https://<Portal URL>/sharing/rest/content/users/<username>

2. In the User Content section, click the ID - Title of the detached item.

3. In the User Item section, copy the item ID.

2. Navigate to the following URL, after inserting the item ID copied from step 1 between items and delete, as shown below.

https://<Portal URL>/sharing/rest/content/users/<username>/items/<itemid>/delete

3. Check the Force deletion? check box, and click Delete Item.