SharePoint Document Issues

Fix Microsoft Access Cannot Connect to SharePoint 2016 List

Steven Parker Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to connect Microsoft Access to a SharePoint 2016 On-Premises list due to a recurring Windows Security credential prompt that rejects their organization account.

Fix Microsoft Access Cannot Connect to a SharePoint 2016 On-Premises List

Product: Microsoft Access / SharePoint 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to link or import a SharePoint 2016 On-Premises list into a Microsoft Access database after a previously successful connection.
Observed behavior: Access displays a Windows Security credential prompt that does not accept the user's account type, blocking the connection, whereas Excel handles the authentication successfully via Data Source Settings.

Before you start

Ensure your organization account password has not recently expired and verify that you are securely connected to your company's network or VPN required for on-premises SharePoint access.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Stored Windows Credentials

Removing outdated or conflicting cached credentials forces Access to prompt for a fresh authentication token.

Often, Microsoft Access struggles to negotiate authentication with SharePoint 2016 On-Premises when an old, expired, or corrupted token is cached in the system. Unlike Excel, which has a dedicated Data Source Settings manager, Access relies heavily on the Windows Credential Manager. Clearing the cache can force a clean sign-in prompt.

Close Microsoft Access

Ensure that Microsoft Access and all other Office applications are completely closed to prevent them from actively using cached credentials.

Open Windows Credential Manager

Click the Windows Start button, type 'Credential Manager' into the search bar, and select the application from the results.

Remove Office and SharePoint Credentials

Click on 'Windows Credentials'. Scroll through the list and locate any entries related to 'MicrosoftOffice', 'SharePoint', or your organization's server URL. Click on the entry to expand it, then click 'Remove'.

Reconnect to the SharePoint List

Relaunch Microsoft Access, open your database, and attempt to link the SharePoint list again. Enter your credentials when prompted by the fresh Windows Security dialog.

System Restart: If the credential prompt still fails, try restarting your computer after clearing the Credential Manager to ensure all session tokens are fully flushed.

Solution 2

Seek Specialized Support on Microsoft Q&A

Consult Microsoft engineers regarding specific authentication compatibility issues between Access and SharePoint Server 2016.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel connect to my SharePoint list but Access fails?

Excel utilizes modern authentication and features a dedicated Data Source Settings menu to manage Microsoft Account credentials. Older or specific versions of Microsoft Access often rely on standard Windows Security prompts, which may not fully support modern or customized on-premises token authentication methods.

How do I link a SharePoint list to Microsoft Access?

To link a list, open your Access database, navigate to the 'External Data' tab, click 'New Data Source', select 'From Online Services', and choose 'SharePoint List'. You will then need to enter your SharePoint site URL and follow the authentication prompts.

Can an expired authentication token cause Access connection errors?

Yes. If a previously stored token expires or becomes corrupted in your Windows Credential Manager, Access may repeatedly prompt for credentials or fail to connect until those cached credentials are removed.

What authentication methods are supported by SharePoint 2016 on-premises?

SharePoint 2016 On-Premises supports several authentication methods, including NTLM, Kerberos, and SAML-based claims authentication. Connection mismatches typically occur if Access attempts to fall back to older NTLM methods while the server strictly requires modern claims authentication.

Document & File Issues