SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix SharePoint Folders Showing Empty on Mac and Windows

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users report that SharePoint folders display item counts but appear completely empty when opened on certain Mac and Windows computers.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: Mac and Windows
Scenario: Accessing shared organization folders via a Google sign-in integration.
Observed behavior: Folders indicate they contain items, but no files are visible to the user. The issue happens inconsistently, affecting some devices while working normally on others.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable and ensure you are fully logged into your organization's Google account with the correct access permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Access Using Different Web Browsers

Identify if the issue is caused by browser-specific glitches or corrupted cache data blocking the content.

Sometimes browser extensions, outdated caches, or specific browser settings can interfere with how SharePoint renders folder contents.

Switch to an Alternative Browser

Open a completely different web browser (e.g., switch from Safari or Chrome to Edge or Firefox).

Log In to SharePoint

Navigate to your organization's SharePoint site and log in using your Google credentials.

Check Folder Contents

Open the affected folder to see if the files are now successfully displayed.

Clear Original Browser Cache

If the files appear in the new browser, return to your original browser, clear its cache and cookies, and restart it.

Browser Isolation: Testing multiple browsers is the quickest way to rule out local browser configuration issues before making system-wide changes.

Solution 2

Temporarily Disable Device Firewalls or Antivirus

Local network security settings might be overly strict, blocking SharePoint scripts from loading folder contents.

Solution 3

Verify Site Permissions and Scope

Determine if the issue is restricted to a single site or specific user permissions before altering broader IT settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my SharePoint folder show a file count but no files?

This usually occurs due to browser cache issues, local network firewalls blocking the content scripts from rendering, or a mismatch in user permissions for specific files within the folder.

Can Google sign-in cause SharePoint display issues?

Yes, while less common, authentication tokens from third-party identity providers like Google can sometimes expire or fail to pass proper folder-level permissions. Signing out and logging back in often resolves this.

Are hidden files included in the SharePoint item count?

Yes, SharePoint folder item counts include all files inside, even those you might not have permission to view or files that are checked out by other users, which can make the folder appear empty to you despite showing a count.

How do I fix SharePoint files not syncing on Mac?

If you are using the OneDrive sync client for SharePoint on a Mac, try pausing and resuming the sync from the menu bar, restarting the app, or resetting the sync client via the application preferences.

Document & File Issues