Microsoft 365 Migration

How to Troubleshoot Slow ShareGate Migrations to SharePoint Online

Khadija Khan Sep 25, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to identify and resolve slow or stalled ShareGate migration speeds when moving large lists and bulk attachments from SharePoint 2010 to SharePoint Online.

How to Troubleshoot Slow ShareGate Migrations to SharePoint Online

Product: SharePoint / ShareGate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating large SharePoint 2010 lists containing thousands of items and PDF or Word attachments to a new SharePoint Online tenant.
Observed behavior: The ShareGate migration process experiences significant slowdowns or stalls completely during the transfer of bulk items and attachments.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable network connection and verify that you have full administrative permissions for both the source SharePoint 2010 server and the destination SharePoint Online tenant.

Solution 1Recommended

Consult the SharePoint Developer Community

Because migration stalls often involve complex backend throttling or developer-level configurations, reaching out to specialized Microsoft forums is the best path to a solution.

ShareGate migrations can be throttled by Microsoft's backend to protect server health, especially when thousands of attachments are moved at once. Engaging with the community helps identify if you are hitting API limits or a known bug.

Visit Microsoft Q&A

Navigate to the official Microsoft Q&A platform and search for the 'SharePoint Development' tag to find relevant migration discussions.

Post your migration details

Create a new thread detailing your ShareGate stalling issue. Be sure to specify that you are migrating from SharePoint 2010 to SharePoint Online, and mention the large lists and PDF/Word attachments.

Engage with other administrators

Keep your migration discussion thread open. Monitor responses from SharePoint administrators and developers who have experienced and resolved similar ShareGate bottlenecks.

Consult the SharePoint Developer Community

Community Tip: Search the Microsoft Q&A forum for your specific error code or stall behavior before posting, as someone else may have already documented the fix.

Solution 2

Optimize Migration Settings for Large Lists

Adjust your migration strategy to prevent hitting SharePoint Online throttling limits or list view thresholds.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Migrated Documents Smoothly with WPS Office

While you are troubleshooting complex SharePoint migrations, you still need a reliable tool to handle all those migrated PDF and Word attachments. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, letting you view, edit, and collaborate on your files for free without bogging down your system.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite on your desktop or mobile device.
2. Access Migrated Files: Sync your local machine with SharePoint Online to access your successfully migrated document libraries.
3. Edit with Full Compatibility: Open your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PDFs in WPS Office to edit them seamlessly without losing any formatting.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsBuilt-in robust PDF editor to handle all your migrated PDF attachmentsLightweight installation that ensures fast performance on any deviceFamiliar user interface makes switching incredibly easy for your team

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my ShareGate migration stall on large SharePoint lists?

Large lists often hit SharePoint Online's throttling limits or the 5,000-item list view threshold. When this happens, Microsoft temporarily restricts the migration tool's speed to prevent server overload, causing the process to appear stalled.

Does migrating PDF and Word attachments affect ShareGate speed?

Yes, migrating thousands of attachments requires individual API calls for each file. This heavily bottlenecks the transfer speed compared to moving simple list metadata. Batching these attachments can help alleviate the issue.

Where is the best place to ask for help regarding SharePoint 2010 migrations?

The Microsoft Q&A platform is highly recommended. By posting under the 'SharePoint Development' tag, you can connect directly with experienced developers and administrators who can provide specialized troubleshooting advice.

Can I use the Microsoft 365 Migration API with ShareGate?

Yes, ShareGate utilizes the Microsoft 365 Migration API by default for SharePoint Online destinations. Ensuring this feature is enabled in your ShareGate settings is crucial for maximizing transfer speeds for large environments.