SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint Folder Not Inheriting Library Permissions

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where newly created folders in a SharePoint library do not automatically inherit the parent library's access permissions.

How to Fix SharePoint Folder Not Inheriting Library Permissions

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a new folder within a SharePoint document library to organize team files.
Observed behavior: The newly created folder receives unique permissions (e.g., Can View) instead of matching the library's default permissions (e.g., Can Edit).

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Administrator or Full Control permissions for the SharePoint document library before attempting to view or modify advanced folder access settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Check and Revert Direct Folder Sharing

Sharing a folder directly with specific users creates unique permissions and breaks default inheritance from the document library.

When you use the Share button to grant access to individuals, SharePoint automatically stops inheriting permissions to protect the uniquely shared content. You can manually reset this to restore the default library permissions.

Access folder options

Navigate to your SharePoint document library and locate the affected folder. Click on the three vertical dots (More options) next to the folder name.

Open Manage Access

Select 'Manage access' from the dropdown menu to view the current permissions assigned to the folder.

Check for direct sharing

Look for specific user names or custom links that indicate the folder was shared directly. If you see custom sharing rules, you will need to reset them.

Delete unique permissions

Click on 'Advanced' in the Manage Access panel. In the ribbon, click 'Delete unique permissions' and confirm your choice to force the folder to inherit permissions from the parent library.

Permission Inheritance Restored: Once unique permissions are deleted, the folder will automatically mirror the exact access levels of the parent document library.

Solution 2

Investigate Power Automate Flows

Automated background workflows may be configured to alter folder permissions automatically immediately upon creation.

Solution 3

Create a Test Folder to Isolate the Issue

Determine if the inheritance failure is a one-time glitch or an ongoing library-level issue by creating a fresh test folder.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I force a SharePoint folder to inherit parent permissions?

Select the folder and go to Manage Access > Advanced settings. In the ribbon at the top, click 'Delete unique permissions'. This action removes all custom access rights and forces the folder to inherit permissions from the parent library.

Does sharing a link break permission inheritance in SharePoint?

Yes. When you use the 'Share' feature to grant access to specific individuals who do not already have access to the library, SharePoint automatically stops permission inheritance and assigns unique permissions to that specific folder.

Why do users get 'Can View' instead of 'Can Edit' on a new folder?

This commonly occurs if a direct sharing link was generated with 'View only' privileges, or if a site administrator has set up a Power Automate flow that automatically downgrades user permissions to 'Can View' when new folders are created.

Document & File Issues