How to Fix SharePoint Users Prompted to Request Site Access
Question details
Users are unexpectedly prompted to request access to a SharePoint site despite being covered by global visitor permissions.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A site administrator has configured the site to be accessible to all internal users, but visitors are still hitting access request walls.
- Observed behavior
- Users are blocked and asked to request access, even though the 'Everyone except external users' group is already listed in the Site Visitors group.
Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions on the SharePoint site to access and modify the advanced permission settings.
Re-add the Global Users Group in Advanced Permissions
Refresh the permission token for the global visitors group by removing and re-adding it to the Site Visitors group.
Sometimes SharePoint permission tokens can become unsynchronized, causing valid groups to be ignored. Removing and re-adding the group forces the system to recognize the correct permissions without needing to manually add individual users.
Click on the gear icon to open Site settings. Navigate to Site permissions, and then click on 'Advanced permissions settings'.
In the permissions list, locate and click on the 'Site Visitors' group to view its current members.
On the site collection membership page, select 'Everyone except external users' and remove it from the group.
Select 'New', then click 'Add Users' in the Visitors group. Search for 'Everyone', choose 'Everyone except external users', and select 'Share' to restore access.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are users prompted for access when the site is shared with everyone?
This can happen due to cached permission tokens or a corrupted group membership link in SharePoint. Removing and re-adding the group forces the system to refresh these permissions across the site.
Who is included in the 'Everyone except external users' group?
This default SharePoint group includes all internal users in your organization's Azure Active Directory, but explicitly excludes guest users or external accounts.
Can I grant access without adding users individually?
Yes. By using the 'Everyone except external users' group or specific Active Directory security groups in your Site Visitors group, you can grant broad access without having to manage individual user permissions.
