{"id":"data-transfers.could-not-list-folders","url":"/faq/data-transfers/could-not-list-folders","category":{"id":"data-transfers","title":"Data Transfers"},"subcategory":{"id":"problems","title":"Problems and messages"},"question":"Why does the cloud folder browser say “Could not list folders”?","alt_questions":["Could not list folders","cloud browser error storage studio","can't see folders in my cloud account","folder browser shows an error","Couldn't read that account"],"short_answer":"The account couldn't be read just now; the line underneath says why — an expired sign-in, a limit at the provider, an account no longer set up on this Mac, or a network problem. Fix that, then click Refresh.","answer_markdown":"Storage Studio couldn't read the folder list from that account just now. The line under the message says why, in plain English. The common ones:\n\n- *\"That account needs signing in again — its access has expired.\"* — sign in to it again under **More → Connect Accounts…**.\n- *\"…it has hit a limit at its provider.\"* — the service is turning requests away for a while; try again shortly.\n- *\"That account isn't set up on this Mac any more.\"* — remove it and connect it again.\n- A network problem — check you're online, then click **Refresh**.\n\nThis is different from *\"No subfolders here\"*, which means the folder really is empty.\n\nRelated: [Account needs signing in again](/faq/data-transfers/account-needs-signing-in-again) · [Cloud accounts](/faq/cloud-accounts/)","answer_html":"

Storage Studio couldn't read the folder list from that account just now. The line under the message says why, in plain English. The common ones:

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This is different from "No subfolders here", which means the folder really is empty.

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Related: Account needs signing in again · Cloud accounts

","answer_text":"Storage Studio couldn't read the folder list from that account just now. The line under the message says why, in plain English. The common ones:\n\n- \"That account needs signing in again — its access has expired.\" — sign in to it again under More → Connect Accounts….\n- \"…it has hit a limit at its provider.\" — the service is turning requests away for a while; try again shortly.\n- \"That account isn't set up on this Mac any more.\" — remove it and connect it again.\n- A network problem — check you're online, then click Refresh.\n\nThis is different from \"No subfolders here\", which means the folder really is empty.\n\nRelated: Account needs signing in again · Cloud accounts","tags":["folder browser","error message","cloud"],"related":[{"id":"data-transfers.account-needs-signing-in-again","question":"What does “That account needs signing in again — its access has expired” mean?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/account-needs-signing-in-again"},{"id":"data-transfers.account-hit-a-limit-at-its-provider","question":"What does “That account is refusing requests… it has hit a limit at its provider” mean?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/account-hit-a-limit-at-its-provider"},{"id":"data-transfers.no-subfolders-here","question":"What does “No subfolders here” mean in the cloud folder browser?","url":"/faq/data-transfers/no-subfolders-here"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Why does the cloud folder browser say “Could not list folders”? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"The account couldn't be read just now; the line underneath says why — an expired sign-in, a limit at the provider, an account no longer set up on this Mac, or a network problem. Fix that, then click Refresh.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Data Transfers","path":"/faq/data-transfers/"},{"name":"Why does the cloud folder browser say “Could not list folders”?","path":"/faq/data-transfers/could-not-list-folders"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/could-not-list-folders","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Why does the cloud folder browser say “Could not list folders”?","alternateName":["Could not list folders","cloud browser error storage studio","can't see folders in my cloud account","folder browser shows an error","Couldn't read that account"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Storage Studio couldn't read the folder list from that account just now. The line under the message says why, in plain English. The common ones:\n\n- \"That account needs signing in again — its access has expired.\" — sign in to it again under More → Connect Accounts….\n- \"…it has hit a limit at its provider.\" — the service is turning requests away for a while; try again shortly.\n- \"That account isn't set up on this Mac any more.\" — remove it and connect it again.\n- A network problem — check you're online, then click Refresh.\n\nThis is different from \"No subfolders here\", which means the folder really is empty.\n\nRelated: Account needs signing in again · Cloud accounts","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/could-not-list-folders"}}]},"fragment":"
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Data Transfers · Problems and messages

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Why does the cloud folder browser say “Could not list folders”?

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Short answer: The account couldn't be read just now; the line underneath says why — an expired sign-in, a limit at the provider, an account no longer set up on this Mac, or a network problem. Fix that, then click Refresh.

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Storage Studio couldn't read the folder list from that account just now. The line under the message says why, in plain English. The common ones:

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  • "That account needs signing in again — its access has expired." — sign in to it again under More → Connect Accounts….
  • "…it has hit a limit at its provider." — the service is turning requests away for a while; try again shortly.
  • "That account isn't set up on this Mac any more." — remove it and connect it again.
  • A network problem — check you're online, then click Refresh.
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This is different from "No subfolders here", which means the folder really is empty.

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Related: Account needs signing in again · Cloud accounts

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Last reviewed

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Related questions

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Also available as Markdown and JSON.

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