SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint Folders Appearing Empty on Some Computers

Nimra Malik Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are encountering an issue where SharePoint folders show the correct total item count, but the files inside are completely invisible on specific computers.

How to Fix SharePoint Folders Appearing Empty

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing shared company files via a SharePoint folder while signed in with a Google account for guest access.
Observed behavior: The SharePoint folder displays the correct item count, but appears completely empty on two computers, whereas the same files are perfectly accessible on another Mac.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify that you are signed in with the exact Google or Microsoft account authorized to access the specific SharePoint site.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Account Permissions and Test Alternative Browsers

Rule out browser cache corruption and ensure your current browser session has the appropriate viewing permissions for the SharePoint site.

Since the files are visible on another Mac, the issue is likely isolated to the local browser environment or session authentication on the affected computers.

Clear your browser cache

Open your browser's settings, navigate to the privacy and security section, and clear your cached images and temporary internet files.

Test an alternate browser

Open a completely different browser (such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox) and navigate to the SharePoint site to see if the files load successfully.

Check account credentials

Confirm you are actively signed in with the correct authorized Google account. Sign out and sign back in to refresh the authentication token.

Verify Account Permissions and Test Alternative Browsers

Authentication Tip: Using a Private or Incognito browsing window is an excellent way to bypass existing cache and force a fresh login prompt for SharePoint.

Solution 2

Review Network and Firewall Settings

Determine if local network security policies, proxies, or firewalls are blocking SharePoint's content delivery networks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my SharePoint folder show the correct item count but no files?

This visual discrepancy often happens when the browser successfully retrieves folder metadata but fails to load the actual file directory due to corrupted cache, conflicting browser extensions, or local network firewalls blocking Microsoft domains.

Can signing in with a Google account affect SharePoint file visibility?

Yes. While SharePoint supports external guest sharing via Google accounts, the session tokens can sometimes expire silently or face cross-browser tracking restrictions, preventing the actual file list from rendering properly.

Does permanently disabling my firewall fix the SharePoint visibility error?

No. You should never permanently disable your firewall as it exposes your computer to security threats. It should only be disabled temporarily to test if it's the root cause. If it is, your IT administrator must adjust the proxy or firewall settings to permit SharePoint traffic securely.