SharePoint Server is a powerful collaboration and document management platform developed by Microsoft. It is widely used by organizations of all sizes to store, organize, and share information within their teams. SharePoint Server is an essential tool for team collaboration and document management.
SharePoint Server enables teams to work together more efficiently, improve productivity, and streamline business processes. However, like any other software, SharePoint Server can encounter errors that can affect its functionality.
In this blog post, we will discuss the top 5 common SharePoint Server errors and how to fix them.
Table of Contents
What is SharePoint Server
SharePoint Server is a powerful collaboration and document management platform developed by Microsoft. It provides organizations with a secure, scalable, and customizable solution for team collaboration, content management, and business process automation. SharePoint Server provides various features that enable organizations to improve productivity, streamline business processes, and enhance collaboration.

Some of the key features of SharePoint Server include:
- Document Management: SharePoint Server provides robust document management capabilities, including version control, check-in/check-out, metadata management, and document workflows.
- Collaboration: SharePoint Server provides various collaboration tools, including team sites, discussion forums, blogs, wikis, and social networking capabilities.
- Business Process Automation: SharePoint Server provides powerful business process automation capabilities, including workflows, forms, and custom applications.
- Search: SharePoint Server provides advanced search capabilities, including enterprise search, contextual search, and people search.
- Integration: SharePoint Server integrates with various Microsoft applications, including Office 365, Dynamics 365, and Power BI, as well as with third-party applications and services.
SharePoint Server Deployment Options
SharePoint Server can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid environment. Each deployment option has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on an organization’s specific needs and requirements.
- On-Premises Deployment: SharePoint Server can be deployed on-premises, which gives organizations full control over their SharePoint environment. On-premises deployment is suitable for organizations that require complete control over their data and security.
- Cloud Deployment: SharePoint Server can be deployed in the cloud using Microsoft’s Office 365 or SharePoint Online. Cloud deployment provides organizations with scalability, flexibility, and accessibility, as well as reduced infrastructure costs.
- Hybrid Deployment: SharePoint Server can be deployed in a hybrid environment, which allows organizations to leverage the benefits of both on-premises and cloud deployments. A hybrid deployment is suitable for organizations that require seamless integration between their on-premises and cloud environments.
SharePoint Server Licensing
SharePoint Server licensing can be complex, depending on an organization’s specific needs and requirements. SharePoint Server licensing is based on the number of servers, users, and features that an organization requires. SharePoint Server provides various licensing options, including:
- SharePoint Server Standard: This is the basic licensing option that provides standard document management, collaboration, and search capabilities.
- SharePoint Server Enterprise: This licensing option provides advanced features, including business process automation, forms, and custom applications.
- SharePoint Server Online: This is the cloud-based licensing option that provides SharePoint Server functionality in the cloud.
Troubleshooting SharePoint Server errors
SharePoint Server is a powerful collaboration and document management platform developed by Microsoft. It provides various features that enable teams to work together more efficiently, improve productivity, and streamline business processes. However, like any other software, SharePoint Server can encounter errors that can affect its functionality.
Here are some tips and tricks for troubleshooting SharePoint Server errors.
Monitor SharePoint Server Health
One of the most important things you can do to troubleshoot SharePoint Server is to regularly monitor its health. You can use SharePoint Health Analyzer to monitor your SharePoint Server’s configuration and performance. SharePoint Health Analyzer scans your server for potential issues and provides recommendations for fixing them. It can help you detect problems before they cause serious issues and ensure that your SharePoint Server is running smoothly.
Check SharePoint Logs
SharePoint logs are a valuable resource for troubleshooting SharePoint Server errors. SharePoint logs contain detailed information about what is happening in your SharePoint Server environment. You can use SharePoint ULS Viewer to view SharePoint logs. ULS Viewer allows you to filter logs based on various criteria, including severity level, timestamp, and category. It can help you quickly identify the root cause of issues and take appropriate action.
Verify SharePoint Server Configuration
Misconfiguration is a common cause of SharePoint Server errors. Therefore, it is crucial to verify that your SharePoint Server is configured correctly. You can use SharePoint Configuration Analyzer to analyze your SharePoint Server configuration and detect potential issues. SharePoint Configuration Analyzer provides recommendations for fixing configuration issues and helps ensure that your SharePoint Server is set up correctly.
Use PowerShell to Troubleshoot SharePoint Server
PowerShell is a powerful tool that can help you troubleshoot SharePoint Server errors. You can use PowerShell to perform various tasks, including checking SharePoint logs, verifying SharePoint Server configuration, and performing health checks. PowerShell allows you to automate tasks, save time, and ensure consistency across your SharePoint Server environment.
Consider Third-Party Tools
There are various third-party tools available that can help you troubleshoot SharePoint Server errors. These tools provide advanced functionality that can help you detect issues that are not easily detectable using built-in SharePoint Server tools. Some popular third-party tools for SharePoint Server troubleshooting include SharePoint Manager, SharePoint Diagnostic Studio, and SharePoint Boost.
Common SharePoint Server errors
There are several common errors that SharePoint Server users may encounter. Some of the most common SharePoint Server errors include:
Service Unavailable
The “Service Unavailable” error is a common SharePoint Server error that occurs when the SharePoint Server service is not running or is not responding. This error can occur due to several reasons, including network connectivity issues, misconfiguration of SharePoint Server, or insufficient resources.
To fix this error, follow these steps:
- Check the status of the SharePoint Server service.
- Ensure that the SharePoint Server service account has the necessary permissions.
- Check the network connectivity between the SharePoint Server and the SQL Server.
- Increase the resources of the SharePoint Server if necessary.
Access Denied
The “Access Denied” error is another common SharePoint Server error that occurs when a user tries to access a SharePoint site or document library that they do not have permission to access. This error can occur due to several reasons, including misconfiguration of SharePoint permissions, incorrect user credentials, or broken permission inheritance.
To fix this error, follow these steps:
- Check the SharePoint site or document library permissions.
- Ensure that the user has the necessary permissions to access the SharePoint site or document library.
- Check the user credentials and ensure that they are correct.
- Check if the permission inheritance is broken and fix it if necessary.
Unable to Connect to the Database
The “Unable to Connect to the Database” error is a common SharePoint Server error that occurs when the SharePoint Server is unable to connect to the SQL Server database. This error can occur due to several reasons, including network connectivity issues, misconfiguration of the SQL Server, or insufficient resources.
To fix this error, follow these steps:
- Check the network connectivity between the SharePoint Server and the SQL Server.
- Ensure that the SQL Server is configured correctly.
- Check if the SQL Server has sufficient resources.
- Check the SQL Server logs for any errors.
Unexpected Error Occurred
The “Unexpected Error Occurred” error is a generic SharePoint Server error that occurs due to several reasons, including misconfiguration of SharePoint Server, corrupt database, or third-party add-ins.
To fix this error, follow these steps:
- Check the SharePoint Server logs for any errors.
- Ensure that the SharePoint Server is configured correctly.
- Check the database for any corruption and fix it if necessary.
- Disable any third-party add-ins and see if the error goes away.
File Not Found
The “File Not Found” error is a common SharePoint Server error that occurs when a user tries to access a file that does not exist. This error can occur due to several reasons, including misconfiguration of SharePoint Server, incorrect URL, or deleted file.
To fix this error, follow these steps:
- Check the URL and ensure that it is correct.
- Check if the file was deleted and restore it if necessary.
- Check the SharePoint Server logs for any errors related to the file and fix them if necessary.
- Ensure that the SharePoint Server is configured correctly.
Conclusion
SharePoint Server is an essential tool for team collaboration and document management. By following these steps, you can quickly resolve these errors and ensure that your SharePoint Server is running smoothly. Remember to regularly monitor and maintain your SharePoint Server to prevent these errors from occurring in the first place. With the right approach, SharePoint Server can significantly improve your team’s productivity and streamline your business processes.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about troubleshooting SharePoint Server:
What are some common SharePoint Server errors?
Some common SharePoint Server errors include “Cannot connect to the configuration database,” “Access denied,” “Service Unavailable,” and “Unexpected error has occurred.”
How can I monitor SharePoint Server health?
You can use SharePoint Health Analyzer to monitor your SharePoint Server’s configuration and performance. SharePoint Health Analyzer scans your server for potential issues and provides recommendations for fixing them.
How can I view SharePoint logs?
You can use SharePoint ULS Viewer to view SharePoint logs. ULS Viewer allows you to filter logs based on various criteria, including severity level, timestamp, and category.
How can I verify the SharePoint Server configuration?
You can use SharePoint Configuration Analyzer to analyze your SharePoint Server configuration and detect potential issues. SharePoint Configuration Analyzer provides recommendations for fixing configuration issues and helps ensure that your SharePoint Server is set up correctly.
How can I use PowerShell to troubleshoot SharePoint Server?
PowerShell is a powerful tool that can help you troubleshoot SharePoint Server errors. You can use PowerShell to perform various tasks, including checking SharePoint logs, verifying SharePoint Server configuration, and performing health checks.
Are there any third-party tools available for troubleshooting SharePoint Server?
Yes, there are various third-party tools available that can help you troubleshoot SharePoint Server errors. Some popular third-party tools for SharePoint Server troubleshooting include SharePoint Manager, SharePoint Diagnostic Studio, and SharePointBoost.