SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint Excel Files Showing Server Not Responding

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users encounter a 'Server not responding' error when attempting to open Excel files hosted on SharePoint.

Product: SharePoint, Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening SharePoint-based Excel files via web browser or the desktop application.
Observed behavior: Excel files repeatedly show a 'Server not responding' error and require multiple retries to open, while other internet services continue to function normally.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify if the issue occurs with a single specific Excel file or all files within the SharePoint document library.

Solution 1

Sync the SharePoint Document Library Locally

Syncing the SharePoint files to your local device can help bypass temporary server communication glitches and allow you to open the file.

Open SharePoint Library

Navigate to the affected SharePoint document library in your preferred web browser.

Sync Files

Click the 'Sync' button in the SharePoint toolbar to synchronize the files to your local computer.

Test Local File

Open the synchronized Excel file directly from your local File Explorer to determine if the server error still occurs.

Test Desktop App Access

Alternatively, try using the 'Open in Desktop App' option directly from the SharePoint web interface to compare access methods.

Solution 2Recommended

Escalate to Microsoft 365 Administrator

If the issue persists across desktop, browser, and synced files while other internet services work, it indicates a Microsoft 365 backend service connectivity issue requiring admin intervention.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does SharePoint say the server is not responding for Excel files?

This usually happens due to network connectivity timeouts, Microsoft 365 backend service outages, or temporary synchronization glitches between your local Excel application and the SharePoint server.

Will syncing my SharePoint library fix the server error?

Syncing creates a local copy of your files via File Explorer. While it doesn't fix the underlying server connectivity issue, it often provides a reliable workaround to open and edit the file without triggering the timeout error.

How do I check if Microsoft 365 services are down?

Your organization's IT administrator can check the Service Health dashboard in the Microsoft 365 admin center to see if there are any ongoing outages or service degradation affecting SharePoint or Excel for the web.

Document & File Issues