SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix SharePoint Blocking Folder Downloads and File Previews

Huma Ashraf Ch Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an intermittent issue where SharePoint prevents downloading folders and previewing specific files via web browsers.

How to Fix SharePoint Intermittently Blocking Folder Downloads and File Previews

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: macOS Sonoma
Scenario: Attempting to preview individual TIFF files or download entire folders containing these files using Chrome or Safari on a Mac.
Observed behavior: Folder downloads fail and individual file previews are blocked intermittently on different days, even though downloading the files individually continues to work normally.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have cleared your browser cache, disabled any recently installed browser extensions, and verified that your internet connection is stable.

Solution 1

Verify File Size and Complex Embedded Data

Large file sizes or complex embedded content can cause SharePoint's web preview and batch download features to fail or time out.

SharePoint has specific limitations on the file sizes and formats it can preview directly in the browser. High-resolution TIFF files or PDFs with complex embedded layers may struggle to render, causing both the preview and the folder bundling process to fail.

Check individual file sizes

Select the affected TIFF or PDF file in your SharePoint library, click the info (i) icon, and check its file size to see if it is unusually large.

Test with smaller files

Upload a very small, simple TIFF file to the exact same folder and test if the browser preview and folder download functions work.

Alternative Access: If you urgently need the files, you can still download them individually, as this bypasses the folder-zipping process.

Solution 2Recommended

Escalate to Microsoft 365 Support

Since this is an intermittent backend issue affecting multiple browsers on macOS, escalating to Microsoft Support with diagnostic logs is the most effective solution.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management

If you are frustrated by intermittent SharePoint glitches and browser-based preview errors, consider using WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and free desktop alternative for viewing, editing, and managing your documents without heavy reliance on web browser performance.

1. Download and install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free application for macOS.
2. Open your files directly: Launch WPS Office and open your downloaded documents, PDFs, or images directly from your local drive.
3. Manage documents offline: Enjoy fast, uninterrupted access to your files without relying on internet-dependent browser previews.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Built-in PDF toolkit for seamless viewing and editing of complex filesLightweight desktop app that avoids browser-based preview limitationsFree to download and use with a familiar, user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does SharePoint preview fail for certain image files?

SharePoint has specific file size limitations and rendering constraints for web previews. Large TIFF or PDF files, or those containing complex embedded layers, may time out or fail to render in the browser's document viewer.

Can I still access my files if the folder download fails?

Yes, typically individual file downloads remain unaffected by this bug. You can manually select and download files one by one until the folder packaging issue is resolved by Microsoft support.

Are macOS browsers specifically prone to SharePoint errors?

While SharePoint is designed to work across platforms, intermittent caching behaviors, extension conflicts, or specific build updates in Chrome and Safari on macOS Sonoma can occasionally cause isolated glitches with Microsoft 365 web services.

Document & File Issues