An User Guide: How to Fix OneDrive Not Working on Windows?Updated a month ago

OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service, has become an essential tool for individuals and businesses alike. It allows you to store and sync files across multiple devices, ensuring that your documents, images, and other important files are always accessible, whether you're at home, in the office, or on the go. However, like any software, OneDrive can sometimes encounter issues that prevent it from functioning correctly on your Windows PC. When OneDrive isn’t working, it can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you rely on it to back up important files or sync data across devices.

Fortunately, there are many common causes for OneDrive issues, most of which can be fixed with relatively simple troubleshooting steps. In this article, we will walk you through the common causes of OneDrive problems and provide detailed solutions for fixing OneDrive when it's not working on your Windows PC.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

One of the first things to check when OneDrive isn’t working properly is your internet connection. OneDrive relies on a stable internet connection to upload, download, and sync files. Without internet access, OneDrive will fail to sync your data to the cloud.

How to Check Your Internet Connection:

1. Verify Wi-Fi or Ethernet Connection: Click on the network icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar to ensure you are connected to the internet. If you're using Wi-Fi, check if the signal is strong. If you're using an Ethernet connection, ensure that the cable is properly connected to your PC and router.
2. Test Internet Speed: Open a web browser and try visiting a website to test if your internet connection is working. If websites are loading slowly or not at all, you may have a slow or unstable connection.
3. Switch to a Different Network: If you’re on Wi-Fi and facing connectivity issues, try switching to a different network or connect directly to your router via Ethernet to see if that resolves the issue.

Once you confirm your internet connection is stable, check if OneDrive starts working again. If the connection was the issue, your files should begin syncing after a few minutes.

2. Check OneDrive Service Status

Another reason OneDrive might not be working on Windows is due to an outage or temporary issue with Microsoft’s servers. Sometimes, Microsoft’s cloud services, including OneDrive, experience downtime or disruptions. This can prevent OneDrive from syncing or even opening on your device.

How to Check OneDrive Service Status:

1. Visit Microsoft’s Service Health Page: Microsoft maintains a service health page where they provide updates on any disruptions or outages related to OneDrive or other Microsoft services. If OneDrive is experiencing an outage, you will find details here, and Microsoft will usually post updates when the issue is resolved.
2. Check Social Media: Sometimes, Microsoft will update users about service disruptions on their official social media accounts, including Twitter or Facebook. This is a good way to confirm if the issue lies with Microsoft’s servers.

If you discover that there’s an outage, unfortunately, there’s not much you can do other than waiting for the service to be restored. In the meantime, check back regularly to see if the issue is fixed.

3. Sign Out and Sign Back In

Issues with your Microsoft account credentials can sometimes prevent OneDrive from syncing or functioning properly. Whether due to expired credentials or corrupted files, logging out and logging back into your OneDrive account might resolve the problem.

How to Sign Out and Sign Back Into OneDrive:

1. Open OneDrive Settings: Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner) and right-click on it.
2. Access Settings: In the dropdown menu, click on "Settings" to open OneDrive's settings window.
3. Unlink Account: Under the Account tab, click the "Unlink this PC" option. This will sign you out of OneDrive and stop it from syncing.
4. Sign In Again: After unlinking the account, open OneDrive and sign back in using your Microsoft account credentials. OneDrive will automatically start syncing your files again.

Sometimes, OneDrive needs to refresh its connection to your Microsoft account, so signing out and signing back in can fix sync issues or other problems related to your account.

4. Ensure Enough Storage Space

OneDrive provides limited cloud storage space depending on your subscription. If you're using the free OneDrive account, it offers 5GB of storage. If you’re using a paid plan, you will have more space available, but even then, it’s important to monitor your storage usage. When your OneDrive storage is full, new files cannot be uploaded, and syncing will stop.

How to Check OneDrive Storage Usage:

1. Access OneDrive Settings: Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray and right-click on it. Choose Settings from the context menu.
2. Account Tab: Go to the Account tab in the settings window. Under the “OneDrive” section, you will see the amount of storage you are using and the total available space.
3. Check for Full Storage: If the bar showing storage usage is filled up, this indicates that you have reached or exceeded your storage limit. You won’t be able to upload or sync new files until you free up space.

What to Do If OneDrive Storage is Full:

1. Delete Unnecessary Files: Review your OneDrive storage and delete files you no longer need. You can also move files to your local hard drive or external storage devices to free up space.
2. Upgrade Your Storage Plan: If you require more storage, you can upgrade your OneDrive plan by purchasing additional storage through Microsoft’s website or via your Microsoft account.

After freeing up space or upgrading your storage, restart OneDrive to see if the syncing issue is resolved.

5. Update OneDrive

OneDrive frequently receives updates that fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. If you’re experiencing problems with OneDrive, an outdated version of the app could be the culprit. Updating OneDrive to the latest version can help resolve issues and improve overall functionality.

How to Update OneDrive:

1. Check for Updates: Right-click on the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar and select Settings.
2. About Tab: In the About tab, you should see an option that tells you the version of OneDrive you are using. If updates are available, you can click on the Check for Updates button.
3. Windows Update: OneDrive updates are often included as part of Windows updates. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and check if there are any updates available. If so, install the updates, as they may include fixes for OneDrive.
4. Reinstall OneDrive: If OneDrive refuses to update, or the update doesn’t resolve the issue, consider uninstalling and reinstalling OneDrive. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find OneDrive, and select Uninstall. Afterward, you can download and install OneDrive again.

6. Reset OneDrive

If updating OneDrive doesn’t fix the problem, you can try resetting the app. Resetting OneDrive removes all cached data, which can help fix sync issues and other errors caused by corrupted files or settings.

How to Reset OneDrive:

1. Close OneDrive: Right-click on the OneDrive cloud icon and select Close OneDrive.
2. Open the Run Dialog: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
3. Enter the Reset Command: Type the following command into the Run box and press Enter:
4. Wait for Reset: After executing the reset command, OneDrive should restart automatically. If it doesn’t, you can manually launch it by searching for "OneDrive" in the Start menu and opening the app.

Resetting OneDrive can solve many sync issues and other problems. However, it may take some time for your files to re-sync with the cloud after a reset, so be patient.

7. Reinstall OneDrive

If resetting OneDrive doesn’t work, the next step is to uninstall and reinstall the app. Reinstalling OneDrive can help resolve deeper issues such as corrupted software files or installation errors.

How to Reinstall OneDrive:

1. Uninstall OneDrive: Open Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, search for OneDrive, and click Uninstall.
2. Download OneDrive: Visit the Microsoft website or use the Microsoft Store to download and install the latest version of OneDrive.
3. Sign In Again: Once the app is reinstalled, sign in with your Microsoft account credentials, and OneDrive should begin syncing your files again.

Reinstalling OneDrive ensures you have a clean installation and can resolve any persistent problems that weren't fixed by the previous steps.

8. Check System Permissions

OneDrive needs access to specific folders and files on your PC to sync your data to the cloud. If these permissions are restricted, OneDrive may fail to sync files or may not function as expected.

How to Check OneDrive Permissions:

1. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Privacy Settings: Go to Privacy > File System.
3. Allow OneDrive to Access Files: Make sure that OneDrive is allowed to access the files and folders you want to sync. If OneDrive is not listed, you may need to give it permission manually.

Sometimes, third-party antivirus software or firewall settings can block OneDrive’s access to the cloud. Ensure that OneDrive is allowed through your firewall or antivirus program.

9. Check Your Firewall and Antivirus Settings

In some cases, a firewall or antivirus program may block OneDrive from connecting to the internet or syncing files. If your firewall or antivirus software is overprotective, it can prevent OneDrive from functioning properly.

How to Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings:

1. Disable Antivirus Temporarily: To test if antivirus software is the issue, temporarily disable it and see if OneDrive starts working. Most antivirus software allows you to pause protection or disable the program through the settings menu.
2. Check Windows Firewall: Open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall, and check if OneDrive is being blocked. If so, allow OneDrive through the firewall.

After testing, be sure to re-enable your antivirus or firewall to protect your PC.

10. Contact Microsoft Support

If all of the above solutions fail to resolve your issue, it may be time to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. Microsoft provides several support channels, including online forums, live chat, and email support, where you can get personalized help with your OneDrive problem.

Conclusion

OneDrive is a powerful tool for cloud storage and file synchronization, but like any software, it can experience issues from time to time. Whether the problem is related to your internet connection, storage space, account credentials, or software corruption, there are numerous troubleshooting steps that can help resolve OneDrive problems on your Windows PC. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to fix most common issues and get OneDrive working again on your PC.