Permission & Access Issues

How to Stop SharePoint Users from Requesting Access to Folders

Natalie Taylor Oct 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users who are already members of a site or document library are incorrectly being asked to request access to specific folders.

How to Stop SharePoint Users from Requesting Access to Folders

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user attempts to open a document library folder in SharePoint and encounters an access request prompt, despite already having group membership.
Observed behavior: The SharePoint system prompts the member to request access instead of automatically granting them entry to the folder based on their existing permissions.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions in your SharePoint environment, as standard site members do not have the administrative rights required to modify access request settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable the Allow Access Requests Setting

Turning off the global access requests feature prevents the system from prompting users to request access, which is highly effective if user permissions are already correctly managed via groups.

By disabling this feature, users who lack access will simply be denied entry instead of generating an email request to the site owner. For users who already possess the correct group memberships, this bypasses the redundant request prompt and allows them immediate access to the folder.

Navigate to Site Settings

Log in to your SharePoint site, click the Gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner, select 'Site information', and then click on 'View all site settings'.

Open Site Permissions

Under the 'Users and Permissions' section, click on the 'Site permissions' link.

Access Request Settings

Click on 'Access Request Settings' located in the ribbon menu at the top of the permissions page.

Clear the Access Request Checkbox

In the dialog box, uncheck the box that says 'Allow access requests' and click 'OK' to save your changes.

Disable the Allow Access Requests Setting

Permissions Applied: Users with the correct group permissions will now bypass the access request screen and can directly access the folders.

Solution 2

Verify and Reapply Folder-Level Group Permissions

If disabling access requests doesn't resolve the issue, the specific folder may have broken permission inheritance or incorrect groups assigned.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office

While SharePoint is designed for complex cloud collaboration and network permissions, sometimes you just need a reliable, lightweight desktop suite to create, edit, and manage your documents without dealing with server access issues. WPS Office provides a powerful, free alternative to Microsoft Office that lets you focus on your work instead of permission settings.

1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your PC or Mac.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open Your Files: Double-click any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file to open and edit it instantly without network access restrictions.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Edit your documents locally without worrying about complex cloud permission prompts.Lightweight application with a familiar, easy-to-use interface for a seamless migration.Built-in PDF editing, conversion, and local file management tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are existing SharePoint site members being asked for folder access?

This typically happens if the specific folder has unique permissions (broken inheritance) that exclude the site members group, or if a browser caching issue is forcing the access request prompt unexpectedly.

Does disabling access requests prevent new users from joining the SharePoint site?

Yes, turning off access requests prevents unauthorized users from requesting entry via an automated prompt. Site administrators will need to manually add new users or share specific links to grant them access.

How do I check if the access issue affects other SharePoint libraries?

You can ask a user experiencing the issue to navigate to a different document library on the same SharePoint site. If they can access folders there without prompts, the issue is isolated to the specific library or folder permissions.

Document & File Issues