Fix SharePoint Access Denied for Restricted Folder Users
Question details
Users encounter an access-denied error when trying to open a SharePoint site from the Start Page, even though they have access to specific folders.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user is attempting to navigate to a SharePoint site from the SharePoint Start Page but only holds permissions for select folders within that site.
- Observed behavior
- The user receives an access-denied message because folder-level permissions do not automatically provide access to the site root or its navigation pages.
Ensure you have SharePoint Site Owner or SharePoint Administrator privileges before modifying site or page-level permissions.
Grant Minimum Required Permissions to the Root Site
Resolve the access issue by providing users with restricted read access to the root site or specific home page.
SharePoint distinguishes between the page URL (e.g., SitePages/Home.aspx) and the root site URL. Users need baseline permission at the root site URL to successfully load the site from the Start Page.
Open SharePoint from Office.com, navigate to your site, click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner, and select 'Site permissions'.
Add the restricted users or groups, granting them 'Read' or a custom restricted view permission strictly to the root site or the SitePages library.
Ask the affected users to navigate to the SharePoint Start Page and attempt to open the site again to confirm the access-denied message is resolved.
Manage Permissions via SharePoint Admin Center
Use the centralized admin center to adjust site permissions if you have tenant-wide admin rights.
Discover WPS Office for Seamless Document Management
While SharePoint handles complex site permissions, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office for creating and editing your documents. Enjoy a familiar interface and seamless cloud integration without the heavy subscription fees.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free suite on your device.
- 2. Sign In and Sync: Log in with your account to sync your documents and connect your preferred cloud storage services.
- 3. Start Creating: Open any existing Microsoft Office file or create a new one to experience fast, intuitive editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do users get an access-denied error if they already have folder permissions?
Folder-level permissions only allow access to that specific folder and its files. They do not automatically grant the necessary permissions to view the site's root navigation pages or the Home.aspx page.
Can I give users access to the home page without making them site members?
Yes. You can navigate to the SitePages library and grant 'Read' permissions specifically to the Home.aspx page, allowing users to load the page without having full access to other site contents.
Where can I find the Site permissions settings?
You can find Site permissions by opening the SharePoint site, clicking the Settings gear icon in the top right corner, and selecting 'Site permissions' from the dropdown menu.
