Fix WebDAV SharePoint Access Stopped After Office Update
Question details
Users are unable to open files from an on-premises SharePoint Server 2019 site using a WebDAV mapped drive after installing an Office 365 update.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 365 / SharePoint Server 2019
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening Word documents directly from a mapped network drive connected to a SharePoint server via the WebDAV protocol.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word displays error code 0x80070002 and fails to open the requested file from the mapped drive.
Ensure you have your exact Office build number, SharePoint Server 2019 version, and WebDAV configuration details ready, as this specific update bug requires enterprise support intervention.
Report the Issue to Microsoft Enterprise Support
Because this involves an enterprise environment and a specific bug introduced by an Office update, the issue should be escalated to Microsoft SharePoint support engineers.
Error 0x80070002 means the system cannot find the file specified. When this occurs immediately after an Office update on a previously functioning WebDAV mapped drive, it indicates a breakdown in how the new Office build processes network paths or authenticates with on-premises SharePoint 2019.
Collect your current Office 365 build number (found in Word under File > Account), your SharePoint Server 2019 version, and your WebDAV mapped drive configuration details.
Open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Q&A enterprise SharePoint forum.
Post a detailed description of the issue. Be sure to include error code 0x80070002 and explicitly mention that the loss of access started immediately after the recent Office 365 update.
Disconnect and Reconnect the WebDAV Mapped Drive
Refreshing the WebDAV connection and restarting the Windows WebClient service can sometimes force the operating system to resolve the pathing error.
Try WPS Office for Stable Enterprise Document Management
If disruptive Microsoft Office updates are breaking your SharePoint WebDAV connections and halting productivity, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible and stable environment for handling your enterprise documents without the overhead of forced updates that break mapped network drives.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the lightweight suite.
- 3. Open network files: Launch WPS Writer and open your enterprise documents directly from your mapped network drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does error 0x80070002 mean when opening Word documents?
Error 0x80070002 typically translates to 'File Not Found'. In a SharePoint WebDAV context, it means the Office application is failing to resolve the mapped network path to the document, often due to changes in authentication or path handling introduced by a recent update.
Can I roll back the Office 365 update to restore my WebDAV access?
Yes. Enterprise administrators can use the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool (ODT) to revert Office installations to the previous build where SharePoint WebDAV access was functioning correctly.
Why did an Office update break my on-premises SharePoint connection?
Office updates occasionally alter how desktop applications handle network protocols, security authentications, or file locking. A recent patch likely modified the WebDAV pathing logic, causing it to conflict with SharePoint Server 2019's mapped drive configurations.
