Permission & Access Issues

How to Manage SharePoint Subsite Owners and Members Permissions

WPS Editor Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to understand how to add or remove members and owners in a SharePoint subsite that is connected to Microsoft Teams.

How to Manage SharePoint Subsite Owners and Members Permissions

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to modify user access permissions or add/remove members on a SharePoint subsite.
Observed behavior: The site owner is unable to manage members directly through the SharePoint site permissions page because the site membership is controlled by Microsoft Teams.

Before you start

Verify whether your SharePoint subsite is linked to a Microsoft Teams channel, as this changes how permissions and memberships are handled within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Solution 1Recommended

Manage Members Through Microsoft Teams

Because the SharePoint site is integrated with Teams, you must manage user access directly from the Teams application.

When a SharePoint site is connected to a Microsoft 365 Group via Microsoft Teams, the membership is tightly controlled by that Group. Any changes to owners or members must be made in Teams rather than the SharePoint advanced permissions settings to prevent synchronization conflicts.

Open Microsoft Teams

Launch the Microsoft Teams application and navigate to the Team associated with your SharePoint subsite.

Access Team Settings

Click the three dots (More options) next to the Team name in the left sidebar and select 'Manage team'.

Modify Membership

Navigate to the 'Members' tab. Click 'Add member' to grant new users access, or click the 'X' next to an existing user's role to remove them. These access changes will automatically sync to your SharePoint subsite.

Administrative Controls: If the 'Add member' option is missing or grayed out in Teams, your Microsoft 365 administrator has likely restricted membership changes at the organizational level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'Add Members' button missing in my SharePoint site?

If your SharePoint site is connected to a Microsoft 365 Group or Microsoft Teams, native SharePoint permission controls are disabled to prevent sync conflicts. You must add members via Teams or the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

Can I share a specific SharePoint file without adding the person to the Teams group?

Yes, you can share individual files or folders using the 'Share' button in SharePoint by creating a shareable link. This grants access to that specific file without adding the user to the entire Team or subsite.

What should I do if I cannot change permissions in Teams either?

If you lack permission to manage team members in Microsoft Teams, your organization's IT department has likely restricted group management. Contact your Microsoft 365 Administrator to request the necessary membership changes.

Document & File Issues