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How to Fix the Microsoft Sway Connection Was Reset Error on PC

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to open Microsoft Sway links on a PC due to an intermittent connection reset error, despite the links loading correctly on mobile devices.

How to Fix the Microsoft Sway Connection Was Reset Error on PC

Product: Microsoft Sway
Device & OS: PC
Scenario: Opening Microsoft Sway links in a desktop browser or attempting to view Sway content embedded within SharePoint pages.
Observed behavior: Sway links fail to load on the PC, displaying a 'connection was reset' error message intermittently, while functioning normally on a smartphone.

Before you start

Ensure that your PC is connected to a stable internet network and verify if other Microsoft 365 online services are loading properly before modifying browser configurations.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Network and VPN Connections

A restrictive VPN or an unstable local network route can block Microsoft Sway traffic, causing the browser to drop the connection.

Connection reset errors usually indicate an interruption between your local device and the server. Corporate VPNs and strict firewall settings frequently block specific Microsoft 365 IP addresses required for Sway to function.

Disconnect active VPNs

Turn off any active VPN or proxy services running on your PC through your system's network settings or the dedicated VPN client.

Switch network connections

Disconnect from your current Wi-Fi or Ethernet and connect to a different network, such as a mobile hotspot, to bypass potential ISP routing issues.

Reload the Sway link

Refresh the browser page to see if the Sway presentation loads successfully on the new network connection.

Network Routing Isolated: If the Sway opens on a different network, you may need to contact your IT administrator to whitelist Sway URLs on your primary network.

Solution 2

Troubleshoot Browser Cache and Extensions

Corrupted browser cache data or conflicting third-party extensions can interfere with Sway loading and SharePoint embeds.

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If online connection errors like the Sway 'connection was reset' issue are disrupting your workflow, consider using WPS Office to build and share presentations locally. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that doesn't rely strictly on browser stability.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your PC's operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Sway work on my phone but not on my PC?

Mobile devices often use cellular data networks which bypass strict corporate firewalls, custom DNS configurations, or local PC VPNs that might be blocking Microsoft Sway servers specifically on your computer.

Can embedded Sways in SharePoint cause the connection reset error?

Yes. If your desktop browser blocks cross-site tracking or third-party cookies by default, SharePoint may fail to load the embedded Sway iframe properly, resulting in a connection reset or a completely blank frame.

How can I check if the Sway servers are currently down?

You can visit the Microsoft 365 Service health dashboard in the admin center or check the official Microsoft 365 Status account on X (formerly Twitter) to see if there is a known ongoing outage affecting the Sway service.

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