You see an error message that says upload failed because the file is too large. This happens when the file you are trying to upload exceeds a size limit set by SharePoint, OneDrive, or the browser. The limit can be a site-level setting, a file size limit in the library, or a restriction from your web browser or network.
SharePoint has a default file upload limit of 250 GB per file in SharePoint Online, but many organizations set a smaller limit. The error can also appear if your internet connection is slow or if the browser times out during the upload. This article explains the exact causes of the file size error and gives you step-by-step methods to fix it.
You will learn how to check the site collection file size limit, how to adjust library settings, and how to use alternative upload methods. The goal is to get your file uploaded without changing the file itself.
Key Takeaways: File Size Upload Limits in SharePoint
- SharePoint admin center > Settings > File upload limit: Controls the maximum file size for all sites in the tenant.
- Site Settings > Site collection file upload limit: Sets a per-site file size limit that overrides the tenant default.
- Library Settings > Advanced settings > File upload limit: Lets you restrict uploads to a specific library to a smaller size.
Why SharePoint Rejects Large Files During Upload
SharePoint Online supports file uploads up to 250 GB per file. However, the actual limit you encounter is often lower because of three layers of restrictions.
First, the tenant administrator can set a global file upload limit in the SharePoint admin center. This limit applies to all site collections and cannot be exceeded by individual sites. Second, each site collection has its own file upload limit in site settings. If the site limit is lower than the tenant limit, the site limit wins. Third, a document library can have an additional file upload limit in its advanced settings. The library limit cannot be higher than the site limit.
Another cause is the browser or network. When you upload a file through a web browser, the file must be transferred over HTTP. If the browser session times out or the connection drops, the upload fails even if the file is under the limit. Internet Explorer has a known 2 GB upload limit. Chrome and Edge can handle larger files but may fail on slow connections.
File Size Limits by Location
The limit you hit depends on where you upload from. The SharePoint web interface uses the library limit. The OneDrive sync client uses the same tenant and site limits but has a separate 250 GB per file limit. The SharePoint mobile app has a 250 MB limit per file. The SharePoint REST API has a 2 GB limit per file unless you use chunked upload.
Steps to Check and Change File Upload Limits
- Check the tenant-level file upload limit
Sign in to the SharePoint admin center as a global admin or SharePoint admin. Go to Policies > Sharing. Under File and folder links, look for File upload limit. The default is 250 GB. If it is set lower, click Edit and increase the value. Click Save. - Check the site collection file upload limit
Navigate to the site where the upload failed. Click the gear icon and select Site settings. Under Site collection administration, click Site collection file upload limit. The default is 250 GB. If it is lower, change the number and click OK. - Check the document library file upload limit
Go to the library where you are uploading. Click the gear icon and select Library settings. Under General settings, click Advanced settings. Look for File upload limit. The default is 250 GB. If it is lower, increase the value and click OK.
Upload a Large File Using the OneDrive Sync Client
If the web upload fails, use the OneDrive sync client. The sync client can handle files up to 250 GB and resumes uploads if the connection drops. Install the OneDrive sync client on your computer. Sign in with your work or school account. Sync the SharePoint library to your computer. Copy the large file into the synced folder. The sync client uploads the file in the background.
Upload a Large File Using the SharePoint Mobile App
The SharePoint mobile app has a 250 MB limit per file. If your file is smaller than 250 MB, open the app, navigate to the library, tap the plus icon, and select Upload. Choose the file from your device. If the file is larger than 250 MB, use the sync client or the web interface with a stable connection.
Upload a Large File Using the REST API with Chunked Upload
Developers can upload files larger than 2 GB using the SharePoint REST API with chunked upload. The API splits the file into chunks and uploads each chunk separately. This method is not available through the user interface. You need a custom script or tool that supports chunked upload. Microsoft Graph also supports chunked upload for files up to 250 GB.
If SharePoint Still Has Issues After the Main Fix
Upload keeps failing even after increasing the limit
If you increased all limits but the upload still fails, the problem is likely the browser or network. Close the browser and clear the cache. Use a different browser, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Connect to a wired network instead of Wi-Fi. If you are on a VPN, disconnect and try again. Large uploads can fail over slow or unstable connections.
File upload limit setting is grayed out
If the File upload limit option is grayed out in site settings, you do not have permission to change it. Contact your site collection administrator or tenant administrator. Only site collection administrators can change the site collection file upload limit. Only tenant administrators can change the tenant-level limit.
Upload fails with a timeout error
A timeout error means the browser stopped waiting for the upload to finish. Increase the browser timeout setting if possible. For Chrome, go to chrome://settings/ and search for timeout. For Edge, go to edge://settings/. Alternatively, use the OneDrive sync client which does not have a timeout limit.
SharePoint File Upload Limits: Tenant vs Site vs Library
| Item | Tenant-Level Limit | Site Collection Limit | Library Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default value | 250 GB | 250 GB | 250 GB |
| Who can change | Global admin or SharePoint admin | Site collection admin | Site owner or member with manage permissions |
| Location in UI | Admin center > Policies > Sharing | Site settings > Site collection file upload limit | Library settings > Advanced settings |
| Overrides | None — this is the maximum | Tenant limit if set lower | Site limit if set lower |
| Applies to | All sites in the tenant | All libraries in the site | Only that library |
The table shows the three layers of file size limits. The most restrictive limit applies. If you set the library limit to 100 MB and the site limit to 250 GB, the library limit of 100 MB is enforced. Always check the library limit first because it is the easiest to change and the most likely cause of the error.
You can now check and adjust file upload limits at the tenant, site, and library levels. Start by checking the library where the upload failed. If the limit is too low, increase it. If the limit is already set to 250 GB, move to the site collection and tenant settings. Use the OneDrive sync client for files larger than 2 GB or when the web upload times out. For files over 250 MB on mobile, use the web interface or sync client instead of the mobile app.