Revise access request article for clarity and accuracy

Updated article to clarify that users without permissions to a SharePoint Online resource can't request access. Adjusted the date and improved the wording for clarity.

Author: Cloud-Writer

SharePoint/SharePointOnline/sharing-and-permissions/request-access-to-resource.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
-title: User without permission to resource can't receive the option to request access
-description: This article describes an issue that users without permissions to a SharePoint Online resource don't receive the option to request access to the resource, and provides a solution.
+title: Users without permissions to a SharePoint Online resource can't request access
+description: Describes an issue in which users without permissions to a SharePoint Online resource don't receive the option to request access to the resource, and provides a solution.
 author: Cloud-Writer
 manager: dcscontentpm
 search.appverid: 
@@ -11,44 +11,39 @@ ms.custom:
   - sap:Sharing\Access requests
   - CSSTroubleshoot
 ms.author: meerak
+ms.reviewer: prbalusu, nirupme
 appliesto: 
   - SharePoint Online
-ms.date: 12/17/2023
+ms.date: 12/04/2025
 ---
 
-# Users without permissions to a SharePoint Online resource don't receive the option to request access to the resource
+# Users without permissions to a SharePoint Online resource can't request access
 
-## Problem
+## Symptoms
 
-When an existing user in an organization tries to access a SharePoint Online resource in Microsoft 365 for enterprises and the user doesn't have permission to the resource, they receive one of the following error messages:
+When existing users in an organization try to access a SharePoint Online resource, but they don't have permissions to the resource, they receive one of the following error messages:
 
-- **Sorry, this site hasn't been shared with you.**
-- **Error: Access Denied**
+- Sorry, this site hasn't been shared with you.
+- Error: Access Denied.
+- You can't access this item.
+- You don't have permission to access this item.
 
-- **You can't access this item**
+These error messages are expected. However, in this scenario, users don't have an option to request access to the resource. 
 
-- **You don't have permission to access this item.**
+## Resolution
 
-This message is expected. However, in this scenario, users don't have an option to request access to the resource and you want users who receive the message to have an option to request access.
+To enable users who receive an error message to request access to a resource, you must allow access requests for the affected site collection. You must be a site collection administrator to enable this feature if it is turned off. 
 
-## Solution
+As a site collection administrator, use the following steps to enable access requests:
 
-This occurs if access requests aren't enabled for the affected site collection. If this feature is turned off, it must enabled by site collection admins.
-
-To fix this issue, enable the access requests for the site collection. To do this, follow these steps:
-
-1. On the affected SharePoint Online site collection, click the gear icon for the **Settings** menu, and then click **Site Settings**.
+1. On the affected SharePoint Online site collection, select **Settings**> **Site Settings**.
 
 1. On the **Site Settings** page, under **Users and Permissions**, select **Site permissions**.
 
 1. Select **Access Request Settings**.
 
-1. Click to select the **Allow Access Requests** check box.
-
-1. In the **Send all requests for access to the following email address**, type your email address, and then click **OK**.
-
-After you follow these steps, users who don't have permission to a SharePoint Online resource are directed to a page where they can request access. Requests for access are sent to the email address that you specified in step 5.
+1. Select the **Allow Access Requests** check box.
 
-## More information
+1. In the **Send all requests for access to the following email address**, enter the email address of the user acount that approves access requests, and then select **OK**.
 
-Still need help? Go to [SharePoint Community](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/sharepoint/ct-p/SharePoint).
+Now users who don't have permission to a SharePoint Online resource are directed to a page where they can request access. Requests for access are sent to the email address that's specified in step 5.