“Migration tool not working” – Issues using third-party migration tools.

Migration Tool Not Working in SharePoint – Troubleshooting and Detailed Steps

When using third-party migration tools in SharePoint, you may encounter various issues that prevent successful data migration. These issues can arise due to connectivity problems, authentication failures, permission restrictions, tool limitations, or data corruption. Below is a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting and resolving such issues.

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Step 1: Understand the Type of Migration

Before troubleshooting, identify the type of migration:

• SharePoint Online to SharePoint Online
• SharePoint On-Premises to SharePoint Online
• File Share to SharePoint Online
• Other Platforms (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) to SharePoint Online

Each migration type has different dependencies and requirements.

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Step 2: Check Prerequisites

Ensure all requirements for the migration tool are met:

• The migration tool version is up-to-date.
• SharePoint admin permissions are assigned.
• Network connectivity is stable and fast.
• The target SharePoint site has enough storage for the migration.

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Step 3: Validate Source and Destination Permissions

1. Source System:
   • Verify that the user running the migration has read and export permissions.
   • Check if files are locked or in use, preventing migration.
2. Destination SharePoint:
   • Confirm that the user has Full Control or Site Collection Admin permissions.
   • Ensure that Custom Scripts are enabled if necessary.
   • Check for blocked file types in SharePoint Online that may prevent migration.

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Step 4: Test Connectivity Between Migration Tool and SharePoint

1. Ensure network stability – use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.
2. Run a ping test to verify SharePoint server accessibility: ping yoursharepointsite.sharepoint.com
3. Use PowerShell to check SharePoint Online connectivity: Connect-SPOService -Url https://yourtenant-admin.sharepoint.com If the connection fails, check firewall and proxy settings.

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Step 5: Review Migration Logs for Errors

Most migration tools generate logs that contain:

• Error messages
• Warnings
• Failed file lists

Common Errors:

• “403 Forbidden” – Insufficient permissions.
• “404 Not Found” – Source or destination site doesn’t exist.
• “500 Internal Server Error” – Temporary SharePoint issue.
• “Timeout errors” – Large files or network issues.

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Step 6: Check for Throttling Issues

SharePoint Online limits migration speeds to protect resources. If Microsoft detects excessive API calls, your migration may slow down.

Solutions:

• Use Microsoft’s Migration API instead of direct migration.
• Migrate in smaller batches (e.g., 5,000 items at a time).
• Run migrations outside peak hours (late-night or weekends).

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Step 7: Verify File and Folder Restrictions

SharePoint has several restrictions:

• File path length must be under 400 characters.
• Invalid characters in file names (" * : < > ? / \ |)
• Certain blocked file types (e.g., .exe, .bat)

Use a PowerShell script to identify long file paths:

Get-ChildItem -Path C:\YourFolder -Recurse | Where-Object { $_.FullName.Length -gt 400 }

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Step 8: Enable Modern Authentication

Many migration tools require Modern Authentication instead of Basic Authentication.

To enable it in SharePoint Online:

1. Open Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
2. Navigate to Settings > Org settings > Services.
3. Enable Modern Authentication.

For SharePoint On-Premises:

• Install and configure Azure App Proxy for secure access.

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Step 9: Run a Test Migration

Before running a full migration:

1. Select a small batch (e.g., 50-100 files).
2. Perform a test run to validate settings.
3. Analyze logs for errors.

If successful, proceed with full migration.

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Step 10: Re-attempt Migration and Monitor Progress

• Use the migration tool’s progress dashboard.
• If errors persist, try restarting the tool and re-authenticating.
• If possible, increase API request limits with Microsoft support.

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Final Recommendations

• Use Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) for better compatibility.
• Check Microsoft 365 Service Health for ongoing issues.
• Contact Vendor Support if a third-party tool consistently fails.

Following these steps will help troubleshoot and resolve migration tool issues in SharePoint efficiently.