“Access denied” error when you drag files to a SharePoint Server 2013 list or library

Symptom

The following error appears in a Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 subsite:

Error with request to the server: Access denied. You do not have permission to perform this action or access this resource.

This error can occur under the following conditions:

• The subsite has unique permissions not inherited from the parent site collection.

• The Limited-access user permission lockdown mode site collection feature is enabled for the parent site collection where the subsite exists.

• A list is shared on the subsite with a user who has edit permissions enabled.

• The user attempts to add a file to the list by using the drag files here functionality.

Workaround

To work around this issue:

1. Select new document.

2. Select UPLOAD EXISTING FILE.

3. Follow the steps in the Add a document dialog box to add files to the list.

More information

For more information, see the following Microsoft articles:

• Enable or disable site collection features

• 2901074 The "drag files here" option is missing for a list in SharePoint Online or SharePoint 2013 on-premises

• 2796734 Information about dragging files into document libraries in SharePoint Server 2013 or SharePoint Online by using a web browser