Microsoft 365 Migration

How to Fix the File Count Limit Warning in SharePoint Migration Tool

WPS Editor Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where the SharePoint Migration Tool stops or remains stuck due to a file count limit warning.

How to Fix the File Count Limit Warning in SharePoint Migration Tool

Product: SharePoint Migration Tool
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating a large directory to Microsoft 365 or SharePoint using the official migration tool.
Observed behavior: The migration process freezes or gets stuck during the scanning or index creation phase when the source directory exceeds the file count limit.

Before you start

Before applying any fixes, gather your migration scan details, check the total directory size, and count the number of files in the folder that is causing the migration to hang.

Solution 1Recommended

Seek Support in the Official SharePoint Microsoft Q&A Forum

Since the file count limit error often requires specific log analysis, posting your migration details in the dedicated Microsoft forum is the most effective way to get targeted help.

The SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) is a Microsoft product, and complex hanging issues during index creation are best addressed by Microsoft's dedicated support community. The forum focuses specifically on Microsoft 365, SharePoint Online, and SPMT features.

Gather your migration scan details

Locate and note down the directory size, the exact file count, and the specific warning message displayed by the SharePoint Migration Tool.

Visit the Microsoft Q&A Forum

Navigate to the official SharePoint Microsoft Q&A forum (learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/235/office-sp) using your web browser.

Post your question with detailed logs

Create a new thread explaining that your SPMT is stuck during index creation. Provide the scan details and ask for solutions regarding the File Count Limit error.

Seek Support in the Official SharePoint Microsoft Q&A Forum

Review Existing Discussions: Before posting, you can also search the forum for 'How to fix the File Count Limit error with SharePoint Migration Tool' to find similar threads and potential hotfixes.

Solution 2

Split the Large Directory into Smaller Migration Tasks

Breaking down a single massive migration task into multiple smaller sub-folder tasks can help bypass the file count limit and prevent the tool from freezing.

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1. Download and install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set it up on your device.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the SharePoint Migration Tool freeze during scanning?

The tool can freeze or get stuck if the source directory contains an excessively high number of files. This triggers a file count limit warning during the index creation phase, overwhelming the tool's memory allocation.

Where can I find discussions about the SPMT file count limit error?

You can find related discussions and troubleshooting steps in the Microsoft Q&A forums under the SharePoint and Office tags, where Microsoft experts and users share solutions for migration hangs.

Can I ignore the file count limit warning in the SharePoint Migration Tool?

Ignoring the warning is not recommended, as it usually indicates that the tool has stopped processing. You must either split your migration tasks into smaller batches or seek a technical workaround from Microsoft support to proceed.

Migration & Recovery