Fix SharePoint Member Cannot See All Files and Folders
Question details
A SharePoint member is unable to browse or view all files and folders in a site directory unless another user shares a direct link to a specific item.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user is attempting to browse files and folders within a SharePoint site as a designated member but finds the directories appear empty or hidden.
- Observed behavior
- Files and folders are completely inaccessible or invisible in the standard directory view until a direct link is provided, indicating a backend account issue or a permissions synchronization failure.
Ensure you have Site Owner privileges or contact your Microsoft 365 administrator, as modifying advanced group memberships requires elevated administrative permissions.
Remove and Re-add the User in SharePoint Members Group
Refreshing the user's permissions by removing and re-adding them to the site collection often resolves synchronization glitches in SharePoint.
When an account experiences a partial permission desynchronization, the user might retain access via direct links but lose the ability to browse the directory structure. Re-establishing their membership forces the backend to update their access rights.
Go to your SharePoint site, click on the Settings gear icon in the top right corner, select 'Site Permissions', and then click on 'Advanced Permission Settings'.
Open the site's Members group, locate the affected user's account from the list, check the box next to their name, and choose the option to remove them from the site collection.
Wait a few minutes to allow the system to synchronize the removal. Then, navigate back to Settings > Site Permissions > Add members to invite the user's account back to the group.
Submit a Support Request for Backend Account Issues
If removing and re-adding the user does not restore access, there may be a deeper backend account issue requiring Microsoft support intervention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I only open SharePoint files when someone sends me a direct link?
This typically occurs due to a permission synchronization issue where your account's group membership isn't correctly reflecting across the SharePoint site backend, hiding the folder structure while retaining access to directly shared items.
Does removing a user from the SharePoint Members group delete their personal files?
No, removing a user from the Members group only revokes their access to the shared site content. Their personally created files in their own OneDrive or other platforms remain completely intact.
What are HAR logs, and why does Microsoft Support need them?
HAR (HTTP Archive) logs record the interaction between your web browser and the SharePoint site. Support teams use them to identify network errors, backend communication failures, or API issues that might be blocking file visibility.
How long does it take for SharePoint permissions to sync after re-adding a user?
In most cases, permissions update within a few minutes. However, in larger tenants or during server load, backend synchronization can occasionally take up to 24 hours to fully propagate.
