"The URL is invalid" error message when you upload a file to a SharePoint list

Problem

When you upload a file to a SharePoint Online or SharePoint 2013 list, you receive the following error message:

The URL <file name> is invalid. It may refer to a nonexistent file or folder, or refer to a valid file or folder that is not in the current Web.

Note

The placeholder <file name> represents the name of the file that you uploaded to the SharePoint list.

Solution

To work around this issue, remove the Version column from the list of Indexed Columns for the list that has this issue. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Browse to the list where the issue exists.

  2. In the ribbon, click the Library tab, and then click Library Settings.

  3. In the fields list, click Indexed Columns.

  4. In the Indexed Columns list, click Version.

  5. Click Delete, and then click OK.

  6. Upload any files that you previously experienced the issue with.

More information

This issue occurs when the Version column is configured as an Indexed Column.

Still need help? Go to SharePoint Community.