Fix 'Network Not Present or Started' When Opening SharePoint Files
Question details
Users encounter a 'Network not present or started' error message when attempting to open shared Microsoft Office files stored in a SharePoint environment.
- Product
- SharePoint Server / SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Accessing or opening shared Office documents stored in a SharePoint repository directly from the desktop application.
- Observed behavior
- Office displays a 'Network not present or started' error and fails to open the target document.
Verify your active internet connection and check if you can access the SharePoint site via a web browser before troubleshooting Windows system services.
Start or Restart the Windows Workstation Service
The Windows Workstation service is essential for client network connections to remote servers like SharePoint. Ensuring it is running often resolves this error.
If the Workstation service on your Windows machine is stopped or unresponsive, Office applications cannot maintain the necessary connection to SharePoint to retrieve your files.
Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type 'services.msc' and press Enter.
In the Services window, scroll down the alphabetical list until you find the service named 'Workstation'.
Right-click on 'Workstation'. If the service is stopped, click 'Start'. If it is already running, click 'Restart' to refresh the connection.
Close any open Microsoft Office applications and restart your computer to fully apply the network changes.
Test for Site-Specific SharePoint Online Issues
Determine if the issue is isolated to a specific SharePoint site, document library, or a corrupted file pathway.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management
Tired of encountering complex network and server errors while trying to access your documents? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly alternative to Microsoft Office, allowing you to easily view, edit, and collaborate on your files without heavy background service dependencies.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free, lightweight office suite.
- 2. Download your SharePoint file: Access your SharePoint site via a web browser and download the problematic file to your local drive.
- 3. Open and edit seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and open your downloaded document to edit without network connection errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint say 'network not present or started'?
This error typically occurs because the Windows Workstation service, which manages client network connections to remote servers like SharePoint, has stopped running or encountered a system glitch.
Can I fix this error without administrator privileges?
Generally, no. Restarting or modifying Windows Services (like the Workstation service) requires administrator credentials on your Windows computer.
Does this error affect both SharePoint Online and SharePoint Server?
Yes, the error can appear in both environments, as it is primarily a client-side Windows and Office communication issue rather than a specific server-side fault.
