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Fix Microsoft Sway Error When Creating or Copying a Sway

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to create new Sways or duplicate existing ones due to a Microsoft service interruption.

How to Fix Microsoft Sway Error When Creating or Copying a Sway

Product: Microsoft Sway
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to create a new Sway presentation or copy an existing one.
Observed behavior: An error occurs preventing the creation or duplication of the Sway within the application.

Before you start

Check your internet connection and ensure your Microsoft 365 subscription is active before attempting to troubleshoot the Sway application.

Solution 1Recommended

Perform Basic Browser Troubleshooting

Since the core service incident SW521445 has been resolved, local browser issues might be causing the error to persist.

Microsoft resolved the underlying service incident on February 28, 2023. If you are still experiencing the problem, it is highly likely that your browser is holding onto outdated cached data or experiencing a temporary glitch.

Refresh the Webpage

Press F5 on your keyboard or click the reload button on your web browser to refresh the Sway workspace.

Switch Browsers

Try logging into Microsoft Sway using a completely different web browser, such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.

Clear Browser Cache

Navigate to your browser's settings menu, locate the privacy or history section, and clear the cache and cookies to remove corrupted site data.

Service Incident Resolved: Microsoft officially resolved incident SW521445 by reverting the service to the last known working build, so most users should no longer see this error.

Solution 2

Escalate to Microsoft 365 Administrator

If browser troubleshooting fails, the issue may require administrative intervention or a formal support ticket.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What was Microsoft service incident SW521445?

SW521445 was a known Microsoft service outage that prevented users from creating new Sways or copying existing ones. The issue was resolved by Microsoft reverting to a working build on February 28, 2023.

Can I use Microsoft Sway offline when the service is down?

No, Microsoft Sway is strictly a cloud-based application that requires an active internet connection to create, edit, and view presentations. If the service is down, you cannot use it.

Why does Sway still fail to copy even after the service incident was resolved?

Your web browser may be loading a cached, outdated version of the Microsoft Sway web app. Clearing your browser cache, logging out and back in, or switching to an incognito window usually resolves this.

How do I find out who my Microsoft 365 administrator is?

If you use a work or school account, your IT department, help desk, or the person who assigned you the Microsoft 365 license is typically your administrator. You will need to reach out to your internal IT support team.

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