SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix Unable to Upload Files Error in SharePoint

John Wilson Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user cannot upload or drag and drop files into a company SharePoint site due to a persistent upload failure message.

How to Fix Unable to Upload Files Error in SharePoint

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to upload or drag-and-drop files into a company SharePoint document library.
Observed behavior: SharePoint displays a 'Something went wrong, so we couldn't upload' error message. This issue continues even after checking permissions, signing out and back in, and removing unusual characters from file names.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure your internet connection is stable and verify that your file name does not contain any restricted special characters or exceed the maximum file path length permitted by SharePoint.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Alternative Browsers and SharePoint Sites

Determine if the upload issue is isolated to a specific browser's cache or a particular SharePoint site's configuration.

Browser-specific glitches or corrupted cache can sometimes block the drag-and-drop functionality in web applications. Testing across different environments helps isolate the root cause.

Open a different web browser

Launch a different supported browser such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.

Attempt the upload again

Log into your Microsoft 365 account, navigate to the target SharePoint site, and try to drag and drop the file.

Test a different SharePoint site

If the upload still fails, try uploading the exact same file to a completely different SharePoint site or a personal OneDrive folder to see if the issue is site-specific.

Test Alternative Browsers and SharePoint Sites

Collaborator Check: Ask a colleague with similar access rights to upload a file to the same location. If they also fail, it points to a site-wide or backend issue.

Solution 2

Identify File-Specific Restrictions

Check if the problem is triggered by the file type, such as MP4 videos, or by exceeding file size limits.

Solution 3

Escalate to Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

If the error occurs across all browsers, sites, and file types, the issue requires a backend investigation by Microsoft support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Maintain Productivity with WPS Office During Outages

While waiting for your IT administrator to resolve SharePoint upload errors, you don't have to halt your workflow. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, allowing you to seamlessly create, edit, and manage your documents locally or via other cloud platforms.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click on the free download button.
2. Install and launch: Run the lightweight installer and open the application to access the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives.
3. Save and sync: Work on your documents locally or connect an alternative cloud drive to bypass SharePoint restrictions.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxLightweight software suite that installs quickly and runs smoothly on older devicesFamiliar tabbed interface that requires zero learning curve for Office usersBuilt-in integration with various third-party cloud storage services

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does SharePoint say 'Something went wrong, so we couldn't upload'?

This generic error can be caused by several factors, including corrupted browser cache, unsupported or restricted file types (like large MP4 videos), incorrect site permissions, or a temporary backend service outage in Microsoft 365.

Does my choice of web browser affect SharePoint file uploads?

Yes. Outdated browsers, conflicting third-party extensions, or accumulated cache can interfere with web scripts that power drag-and-drop functionality. Testing uploads across different browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox helps isolate these issues.

How can I tell if a SharePoint upload issue is specific to my account?

If you experience the exact same upload failure across multiple web browsers, on different devices, and across entirely different SharePoint sites within your organization, the issue is most likely tied to your specific Microsoft 365 account or a broader backend tenant issue.

Document & File Issues