SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix SharePoint Documents Not Opening from File Explorer

Emma Brown Oct 12, 2026 871 views

Question details

Users are unable to open synchronized SharePoint Excel and PDF files directly from File Explorer, though the files open successfully in a web browser.

How to Fix SharePoint Documents Not Opening from File Explorer

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to access and open synchronized SharePoint files via the local File Explorer interface.
Observed behavior: Files fail to open, displaying an error message stating that the document library must be running on the PC.

Before you start

Ensure that your OneDrive sync client is actively running in your system tray and that you are signed in with the correct Microsoft 365 credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Open Files Directly from the Office Application

Bypass File Explorer by opening the files directly from within the Microsoft Office application to determine if the issue is limited to local synchronization.

If your files open successfully using this method, the problem is highly likely related to the OneDrive synchronization client rather than the files themselves.

Launch the Office Application

Open the respective Microsoft Office application, such as Excel or Word, directly from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.

Navigate to the Open Menu

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the application, then select 'Open' from the left-hand menu.

Select SharePoint and Open

Choose 'SharePoint' from the list of connected locations, navigate to your document library, and select the file to open it.

Open Files Directly from the Office Application

Successful Connection: If the file opens without errors, your account permissions are correct, and the issue is isolated to local File Explorer syncing.

Solution 2

Reset the OneDrive Sync Client

Use the Windows Run command to reset OneDrive, which clears sync cache issues and often resolves File Explorer launch errors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do SharePoint files open in the browser but not in File Explorer?

This usually occurs due to a broken synchronization link between your local OneDrive client and the SharePoint server, or corrupted cached credentials on your PC. The browser accesses the file directly from the server, bypassing local sync errors.

What should I do if resetting OneDrive doesn't fix the SharePoint file issue?

If resetting OneDrive fails, you may need to unlink your PC from OneDrive via the account settings, clear your Office Document Cache, and then resync the SharePoint document library from the web browser.

Can I open synced SharePoint PDF files with a third-party PDF reader?

Yes. If the files are properly synced to your local drive via File Explorer, you can right-click the PDF, select 'Open with', and choose your preferred PDF software (such as WPS Office) to open them locally.

Document & File Issues