SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint List Opening in Classic Experience Instead of Modern View

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 23, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to force a SharePoint Online list to open in the modern experience instead of defaulting to the classic experience.

How to Fix SharePoint List Opening in Classic Experience Instead of Modern View

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing a SharePoint Online list that continuously loads in the legacy interface despite modern settings being enabled.
Observed behavior: The list continues opening in the classic experience due to hidden rating systems or related legacy settings remaining active in the background.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions for the affected SharePoint list to access the advanced settings and modify list features.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Hidden Rating Systems in Classic Experience

This solution deletes lingering legacy rating systems from the list settings, which forces the list to successfully render in the modern experience.

SharePoint lists often fall back to the classic experience when they contain legacy customizations, unsupported column types, or active rating settings. Even if the visible settings are configured for the modern view, hidden rating configurations can override this preference.

By manually entering the classic experience and removing these leftover configurations, you eliminate the blockers preventing the modern view from loading.

Open the list in classic experience

Navigate to your SharePoint site and open the problematic list. If it does not automatically load in classic view, click the 'Return to classic SharePoint' link located in the bottom-left corner of the page.

Access list settings

In the classic ribbon at the top, click on the 'List' tab, then select 'List Settings' from the menu.

Locate and disable rating settings

Under the 'General Settings' column, click on 'Rating settings'. If you see any active rating functionalities (like Likes or Star Ratings), disable them by selecting 'No' and click 'OK'.

Check for hidden rating columns

Scroll down to the 'Columns' section in the List Settings. Look for any remaining columns related to ratings. Click on them and select 'Delete' to permanently remove these hidden features.

Reload the list in modern experience

Close your browser tab, open a new one, and navigate back to the SharePoint list. The list should now successfully load in the modern experience.

Remove Hidden Rating Systems in Classic Experience

Experience Restored: Once the incompatible classic settings are completely purged, SharePoint will automatically render the list using the modern user interface without needing further configuration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my SharePoint list keep reverting to the classic experience?

SharePoint automatically reverts to the classic experience if the list contains unsupported features, such as specific legacy customizations, unsupported column types, or active rating settings that are not fully compatible with the modern view.

How can I force a SharePoint list to always open in the modern experience?

Go to the List Settings, select 'Advanced settings', and scroll to the bottom. Under the 'List experience' section, change the setting from 'Default experience set by my administrator' to 'New experience', then save your changes.

Will I lose data if I disable rating settings in SharePoint?

Disabling the rating settings will hide the ratings from the list view. If you delete the specific rating columns to force the modern view, the previously recorded rating data (likes or stars) for those list items will be permanently removed.

Document & File Issues