File Sharing Problems

Fix OneDrive Shared Link Showing Empty Folder on Some Devices

Olivia Miller Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to view the contents of a OneDrive shared folder because it appears completely empty on specific devices, such as a work laptop or tablet.

Fix OneDrive Shared Link Showing Empty Folder on Some Devices

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing a OneDrive shared folder link across different devices or networks.
Observed behavior: The shared folder link opens successfully, but no files are visible inside the folder on certain devices, despite the files being present when viewed by the owner or on other devices.

Before you start

Verify that the owner of the shared folder has not accidentally moved or deleted the files, and ensure the device experiencing the issue has a stable internet connection to sync the folder contents.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Logged-in Microsoft Account

Ensure the device accessing the link is signed into the correct Microsoft account that was granted permission to view the folder.

OneDrive often defaults to the Microsoft account currently signed into the browser or system. If the folder was shared with a specific email address, attempting to view it while signed into a different account may result in an empty folder being displayed.

Open the shared link

Click the OneDrive shared link on the device where the folder appears empty.

Check profile account

Click the profile icon in the top right corner of the OneDrive webpage to see which Microsoft account is currently signed in.

Switch accounts if necessary

If the account does not match the one the folder was shared with, select 'Sign out' and log back in using the correct Microsoft account.

Account Sync: Signing into the correct account usually forces OneDrive to authenticate your permissions and reveal the hidden files immediately.

Solution 2

Bypass Organizational Account Restrictions

Work or school devices may have IT administrator policies that block access to external or personal shared folders.

Solution 3

Generate an 'Anyone with the link' Share URL

Ask the folder owner to change the sharing permissions to bypass account-specific authentication.

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1. Open your document in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the file you wish to share with others.
2. Click the Share button: Locate and click the 'Share' button in the top right corner of the application interface.
3. Create a shareable link: Choose your preferred sharing permission (e.g., Anyone can view) and copy the link to send to your colleagues or devices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a shared OneDrive link say the folder is empty when files exist?

This usually happens because the browser is logged into a Microsoft account that doesn't have permission to view the files, or organizational IT policies are blocking access to external files on a work device.

Can my work laptop block access to my personal OneDrive files?

Yes. Many company IT administrators apply restrictions that prevent organizational accounts from opening personal OneDrive links or accessing external file shares to protect corporate data.

How do I fix a shared folder that won't sync on my phone?

Ensure your OneDrive mobile app is updated and that you are logged into the exact account the folder was shared with. You can also try clearing the app cache or accessing the link via your mobile browser instead.

Does WPS Office offer cloud file sharing like OneDrive?

Yes, WPS Office includes integrated WPS Cloud services, allowing you to easily generate shareable links for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with customizable viewing and editing permissions.

Document & File Issues