“File Size Limit Exceeded” in SharePoint – Troubleshooting Guide

When you see the error message “File size limit exceeded” in SharePoint, it means that the file you are trying to upload is larger than the allowed limit set by SharePoint or the administrator. This can occur for various reasons, including SharePoint Online limitations, on-premises settings, or browser upload restrictions.

To resolve this issue, follow these detailed step-by-step solutions.

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Step 1: Understand SharePoint’s File Size Limits

Before troubleshooting, it’s important to know the maximum file size limits for different SharePoint environments:

1. SharePoint Online (Microsoft 365)

• The maximum file upload size is 250 GB per file.
• This limit applies to files uploaded via the browser, OneDrive Sync, and Teams.

2. SharePoint Server (On-Premises)

• By default, SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019 have a lower upload limit (often 50 MB to 2 GB, depending on the configuration).
• Administrators can increase this limit manually if needed.

3. Browser-Based Upload Limitations

• Some web browsers (such as older versions of Internet Explorer) may fail to upload large files due to internal limitations.
• Modern browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox handle larger uploads better.

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Step 2: Check the Actual File Size

1. Locate the file on your computer.
2. Right-click the file > Select Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac).
3. Check the size of the file:
   • If it is less than 250 GB (for SharePoint Online), you should be able to upload it.
   • If the file exceeds the limit, consider compressing or splitting the file (explained later).

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Step 3: Use OneDrive Sync to Upload Large Files

If you are uploading files through a browser and hitting a size limitation, try using OneDrive Sync instead.

Steps to Upload Using OneDrive Sync

1. Open OneDrive on your computer:
   • Windows: Click the OneDrive icon in the system tray (bottom right).
   • Mac: Click the OneDrive icon in the menu bar (top right).
2. Sync Your SharePoint Document Library
   • Open SharePoint Online in your browser.
   • Navigate to the Document Library where you want to upload the file.
   • Click on Sync (found in the top menu).
3. Drag and Drop Your File into the OneDrive folder
   • OneDrive will sync the file in the background, bypassing browser limitations.
4. Monitor the Upload
   • Click the OneDrive icon in the system tray/menu bar to check the upload progress.

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Step 4: Compress or Split Large Files

If the file size exceeds 250 GB (or your on-premises limit), consider reducing its size.

Option 1: Compress (ZIP) the File

1. Windows:
   • Right-click the file > Select Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder.
2. Mac:
   • Right-click the file > Select Compress [filename].

Then, try uploading the compressed file to SharePoint.

Option 2: Split Large Files (For Videos, PDFs, Databases, etc.)

• If it’s a large video file, use software like HandBrake to compress it.
• If it’s a large PDF, use Adobe Acrobat to split it into smaller parts.
• If it’s a database file (SQL, Access, etc.), break it into multiple smaller chunks.

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Step 5: Check and Increase SharePoint File Size Limit (For On-Premises Users Only)

If you’re using SharePoint Server (On-Premises) and the file size limit is lower than needed, an administrator can increase it manually.

Steps to Increase File Upload Size in SharePoint Server

🔴 Requires Admin Access

1. Open SharePoint Central Administration
   • Log in to your SharePoint Server as an administrator.
   • Open Central Administration from the Start menu.
2. Go to Web Application Settings
   • Under Application Management, click Manage web applications.
   • Select your web application where you want to increase the file size limit.
3. Increase Maximum File Size
   • Click on General Settings (from the ribbon).
   • Scroll down to Maximum Upload Size.
   • Increase the limit (e.g., change it from 50 MB to 2 GB).
   • Click OK to save changes.
4. Restart IIS (Required for Changes to Apply)
   • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
   • Type: iisreset
   • Press Enter.

After making these changes, try uploading your file again.

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Step 6: Use Power Automate or Azure Blob Storage for Large Files

If your file still exceeds 250 GB, consider alternative methods such as Power Automate or Azure Blob Storage.

Option 1: Upload Large Files via Power Automate

• Create a Power Automate flow that automatically moves large files from OneDrive to SharePoint.
• This method bypasses browser upload limits.

Option 2: Use Azure Blob Storage

• If you’re dealing with very large files, consider storing them in Azure Blob Storage instead of SharePoint.
• You can link Azure storage to SharePoint for easy access.

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Step 7: Check Internet Speed & Stability

A slow or unstable internet connection can cause upload failures, especially for large files.

1. Run a Speed Test
   • Visit SpeedTest.net and check your upload speed.
   • If your upload speed is below 10 Mbps, try using a faster connection.
2. Use a Wired Connection
   • If you’re on Wi-Fi, switch to a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable upload.
3. Avoid Uploading During Peak Hours
   • If you’re in an office environment, try uploading files early in the morning or late at night to avoid network congestion.

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Step 8: Contact SharePoint Administrator or IT Support

If none of the above solutions work, reach out to your SharePoint Administrator or IT Support team with the following details:

• File Name & Size
• Where You Tried Uploading (Library Name, Folder, etc.)
• Any Error Messages You Saw
• The Browser or Application You Used (Edge, Chrome, OneDrive, etc.)

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Final Thoughts

🔹 For SharePoint Online Users: Ensure the file is under 250 GB, use OneDrive Sync, or compress/split the file.
🔹 For SharePoint On-Premises Users: Increase the upload limit in Central Administration (Admin required).
🔹 For Very Large Files: Use Azure Blob Storage or Power Automate for advanced handling.

Would you like help with any specific file type (videos, PDFs, databases)?