How to Fix SharePoint Error: We Could Not Get the List of Sites You Follow
Question details
Users are encountering an error message preventing them from viewing the list of SharePoint sites they follow.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Accessing the followed sites directory in the SharePoint portal.
- Observed behavior
- The system fails to load the followed sites and displays the error message 'We could not get the list of sites you follow'.
Ensure you have SharePoint Administrator privileges, as some advanced troubleshooting steps require checking backend user profile permissions in the SharePoint Admin Center.
Check Browser and Network Connection
Rule out local browser caching, VPN, or proxy interference before attempting backend fixes.
Launch your web browser and open a new InPrivate or Incognito window to ensure no cached data is loading.
Temporarily turn off any active VPN or proxy connections that might interfere with Microsoft 365 cloud services.
Log into the SharePoint portal and navigate to the followed sites section to see if the list now loads successfully.
Verify OneDrive for Business and Delve Access
The followed sites feature heavily relies on the user's OneDrive for Business and Delve being properly provisioned.
Check User Profile Permissions and Escalate
Verify that backend permissions allow the user to follow content, and contact Microsoft Support if it is a tenant-wide issue.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint show 'We could not get the list of sites you follow'?
This error is generally caused by missing OneDrive for Business provisioning, incorrect user profile permissions in the SharePoint Admin Center, or local browser cache and VPN conflicts.
Does following sites in SharePoint require OneDrive?
Yes, Microsoft 365's architecture relies on personal OneDrive for Business provisioning and the Microsoft Graph (Delve) to successfully store and retrieve your followed sites and content.
How do I know if the SharePoint error is a service-wide issue?
Check with other colleagues in your organization. If multiple users suddenly experience the same error when trying to view followed sites, it is likely a tenant-wide or service-side issue that requires opening a Microsoft 365 support ticket.
