Error File Processing: AccessDenied

Change the SharePoint site from read-only to read/write mode.

Last updated: 2025-01-15 Troubleshooting

Error Message

OneDrive/SharePoint Migration Error

Error File processing: <filename>: AccessDenied

This error occurs when attempting to write files to a restricted SharePoint site.

Read-Only Site Block

📁
Migration Tool
Write file
🔒
SharePoint Site
Read-only mode
AccessDenied
Write blocked

Root Cause

Site Configured as Read-Only

The SharePoint site may be configured as read-only, even when the admin account appears to have proper permissions to the OneDrive or SharePoint library. Read-only mode prevents any write operations, including file uploads during migration.

Why Sites Become Read-Only

  • • Site collection storage quota exceeded
  • • Administrative lock placed on the site
  • • Compliance or legal hold restrictions
  • • Site archived or marked for deletion

Solution

Change Site to Read/Write Mode

1

Access SharePoint Admin Center

Go to the SharePoint Admin Center in Microsoft 365 admin portal.

2

Locate the Site

Navigate to Active Sites and find the affected SharePoint site or OneDrive location.

3

Remove Read-Only Lock

Check the site's lock status and change it from read-only to allow full read/write access.

4

Retry Migration

Once the site is writable, restart the migration for the affected files.

Check Storage Quota

If the site was locked due to storage quota, you may need to increase the quota allocation or delete unnecessary content before unlocking.

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