SharePoint: Unable to Delete Folder in SharePoint Online Due to Invisible Checked-Out File
Issue Summary
A folder in SharePoint Online appears empty and cannot be deleted. The error message states:
“1 item wasn't deleted. It looks like someone has the file open.”
However, the folder looks empty in both File Explorer and SharePoint web view. Even after syncing and confirming no visible files exist, deletion fails.
Root Cause
A file was uploaded to the folder and never checked in, making it invisible to users (even those with full permissions). SharePoint treats these as private drafts and hides them from standard folder views, including “Show all items without folders.”
Such files prevent the parent folder from being deleted until they are checked in or removed.
Steps to Resolve
✅ 1. Navigate to the document library
Go to the SharePoint site → open the document library containing the problematic folder.
✅ 2. Access “Manage files which have no checked in version”
✅ 3. Identify and take ownership of the file
You will see a list of files that were uploaded but not checked in.
Locate the file under the affected folder path.
Click Take Ownership next to it.
✅ 4. Delete or check in the file
✅ 5. Delete the folder
After removing the hidden file, return to the folder.
You should now be able to delete it without issues.
Preventive Measures
-
Disable “Require check-out” unless your workflow depends on it:
Educate users to complete the check-in process after uploading files
Periodically review “Manage files with no checked in version” to clean up hidden drafts
Related Symptoms
Folder appears empty but can't be deleted
Deletion fails even though OneDrive sync says “up-to-date”
No files are visible under “Show all items without folders”
Folder renaming or moving works, but deletion does not