Users can access the file but cannot access the library

Yes. The most common cause is that the file was shared directly, but the users were not granted permission to browse the whole document library.

In SharePoint, a user can have access to a specific file through a direct sharing link and still not see the library itself. This is typically due to Limited Access behavior: the link lets them reach that item without giving them permission to navigate the library.

Other supported causes include:

1. Library or site permissions are not configured for those users
   • If they can open the file but not the library, they may only have item-level access.
2. They are signed in with a different account than the one that received the sharing invitation
   • This can cause access problems for shared links and site browsing.
3. Site user ID mismatch
   • This can happen if an account was deleted and recreated with the same UPN, or after certain directory sync changes.

A practical way to confirm the cause:

1. Copy the document library URL.
2. Have the affected colleague open that library URL directly while signed in with the same account used for the working file link.
3. If the library opens, check site navigation because the library link may be missing or audience-targeted.
4. If they get Access denied, the file link is likely granting access only to that document. In that case, check Library settings > Permissions for this document library and grant the appropriate Read access if they should be able to browse the library.

Also note: if the file or folder was renamed after sharing, older direct links may stop working in some cases. In SharePoint Online, sharing links continue to work after rename, but previously sent direct links may not.

References:

• SharePoint permission Issue user has direct file access but cannot view document library - Microsoft Q&A
• Access Denied or You need permission errors in SharePoint Online and OneDrive
• Rename a file, folder, or link in a document library | Microsoft Support