SharePoint Document Issues

How to Find Files That Failed to Upload to SharePoint

Ayan Masood Sep 30, 2026 875 views

Question details

The user needs to identify specific files that failed to upload when transferring multiple documents to a SharePoint library.

How to Find Files That Failed to Upload to SharePoint

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Uploading multiple files directly to a SharePoint document library via a web browser.
Observed behavior: SharePoint displays a general notification that some items failed to upload, but it does not clearly immediately identify which specific files are affected.

Before you start

Avoid refreshing your web browser immediately after the file upload process finishes, as this will clear your temporary upload session data.

Solution 1Recommended

Check the Upload Progress Tab in SharePoint

This is the quickest method to identify failed uploads immediately after transferring files through your web browser.

When you upload files directly to SharePoint via a browser, the platform creates a temporary session log of the transfer. Reviewing this log immediately is crucial for identifying errors.

Open the Progress tab

Immediately after the upload finishes, look for the 'Uploading' or 'Progress' indicator in the top-right corner of the SharePoint document library page and click it.

Review the file list

Scroll through the list of items in the Progress pane. Files that successfully uploaded will have a green checkmark, while files that failed will display a red error icon.

Identify the failures

Take note of the specific file names that display the error icon so you can address the issue and attempt to re-upload them individually.

Check the Upload Progress Tab in SharePoint

Warning about page refreshing: The Progress tab and its history will disappear if you refresh the page or navigate away from the document library.

Solution 2

Use the OneDrive Sync Client to Monitor Status

Best for large or recurring file transfers, this method provides a stable environment to monitor synchronization statuses and clearer error details.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do files fail to upload to SharePoint?

Files typically fail to upload due to exceeding the maximum file size limit, containing invalid characters (like * : < > ? / \ |) in the file name, exceeding the maximum URL path length, or due to temporary network connectivity interruptions.

Can I recover the upload Progress tab after refreshing the page?

No. Once the web page is refreshed or closed, the browser's temporary upload session data is cleared, and you will not be able to view the specific upload failure list for that session.

How do I know if my SharePoint folder is fully synced via OneDrive?

When viewing the synchronized folder in your computer's File Explorer or Finder, a solid green checkmark icon next to the file or folder indicates that it has successfully uploaded and is fully synced with SharePoint.

Document & File Issues