Fix SharePoint Modern View Link Opening the Wrong URL
Question details
Users need to correct an issue where newly created links in a SharePoint document library redirect improperly or fail to load.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a new link using the 'New > Link' option within a SharePoint document library while using the modern experience.
- Observed behavior
- Links work perfectly in the classic view, but in the modern view, they generate an incorrect URL pointing to a document library item, resulting in a file-preview error.
Verify that you have the necessary permissions to adjust document library settings and access to your Microsoft 365 admin center if a support ticket is required.
Test Alternative Links and Submit a Support Request
Isolate the issue by testing different URL types and libraries, and escalate tenant-wide bugs to Microsoft Support.
Since the issue appears to be specific to how the modern experience routes URLs, testing different variables helps determine if the bug affects your entire tenant or just a specific library.
In your document library, click 'New' > 'Link' and try adding a purely external URL (like a standard webpage) or select a link directly from the 'Recent' list.
Navigate to another document library on your SharePoint site and attempt to create a new link to see if the issue is isolated to the original library.
If the link still fails in modern view, take a screenshot of the generated incorrect URL and the specific file-preview error message displayed on the screen.
If the problem affects the tenant broadly, have a Microsoft 365 administrator log into the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to Support > New service request, and submit the captured error details.
Temporarily Switch to Classic View
Use the classic experience as a temporary workaround, as links route correctly in this view without preview errors.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Document Experience
If complex configuration issues in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint disrupt your workflow, consider WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative for managing your everyday office documents without routing bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do links fail in SharePoint modern view but work in classic view?
This is often caused by a backend routing glitch specific to the modern experience's file previewer. The modern view incorrectly formats the link to point to a document library item instead of the actual target webpage, triggering a preview error.
Can standard users submit a ticket for this SharePoint bug?
No. Submitting a new service request to Microsoft Support for tenant-wide SharePoint issues requires access to the Microsoft 365 admin center, which is restricted to users with administrator privileges.
Will Microsoft automatically fix modern view link errors?
Microsoft continuously rolls out patches for SharePoint Online. However, if the issue persists in your specific tenant, it is highly recommended to have your admin open a support request to ensure Microsoft investigates the bug on your particular server cluster.
