SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix SharePoint Not Uploaded Error for Small Files

Ayan Masood Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users receive a 'Not Uploaded' warning right at the end of the upload process when trying to add small files to a SharePoint document library.

How to Fix SharePoint Not Uploaded Error for Small Files

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Uploading files that are 10 MB or smaller to SharePoint Online using either the drag-and-drop method or the Upload button across various web browsers.
Observed behavior: The file upload progress nears completion but ultimately fails, displaying a 'Not Uploaded' warning regardless of the file type or the browser being used.

Before you start

Verify your internet connection stability and try uploading the file using an Incognito or Private browsing window to rule out cache or extension interference.

Solution 1Recommended

Diagnose and Isolate the Upload Issue

Determine if the upload error is tied to a specific user account, document library, or a broader tenant-wide issue in SharePoint Online.

Upload failures can be highly localized to a specific folder's permissions or a symptom of a broader Microsoft 365 service degradation. Isolating the variable helps pinpoint the exact fix.

Test alternate libraries

Navigate to a completely different SharePoint document library or a personal OneDrive folder and attempt to upload the same file.

Verify user impact

Ask a colleague with the same access permissions to upload a file to the problematic library to see if they encounter the same 'Not Uploaded' warning.

Capture the exact error

Take a screenshot of the 'Not Uploaded' warning and note your specific SharePoint tenant URL (e.g., yourcompany.sharepoint.com) for support reference.

Review Microsoft timeout guidance

Visit the Microsoft support page regarding request timeouts for large files, as network routing issues can sometimes cause small files to trigger the same timeout protocols.

Check Environment Type: Ensure you are troubleshooting for SharePoint Online and not SharePoint Server, as on-premises servers have different upload limits and configuration settings.

Solution 2

Clear Browser Data and Disable Extensions

Resolve browser-level conflicts that interrupt the final stages of the SharePoint file transfer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the SharePoint upload fail right at the end of the progress bar?

This typically occurs because the actual file data has transferred, but SharePoint fails to register the metadata, perform a virus scan, or finalize the file check-in process, resulting in a timeout.

Is the 'Not Uploaded' error caused by a file size limit?

No. SharePoint Online supports file uploads up to 250 GB. If files around 10 MB are failing, the issue is related to network stability, browser conflicts, or temporary server degradation rather than size limits.

Does my choice of web browser affect SharePoint file uploads?

Yes. Outdated browsers, corrupted cache data, or restrictive privacy extensions can block the scripts SharePoint uses to finalize uploads. Trying a different browser or an Incognito window is a common troubleshooting step.

How can I tell if the upload issue is a Microsoft 365 service outage?

If multiple users across different networks and document libraries are experiencing the same upload failure, your IT administrator should check the Service Health Dashboard in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center for active SharePoint advisories.

Document & File Issues