How to Fix OneDrive Not Working on Mac?

OneDrive is one of the most widely used cloud storage services globally, offering seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. It allows users to store, share, and synchronize files across different devices and platforms. For Mac users, OneDrive is an essential tool for managing files in the cloud and ensuring that data is accessible anytime, anywhere.

However, like any software, OneDrive can sometimes face issues and fail to work properly on a Mac. If OneDrive isn't syncing or working correctly on your Mac, it can cause significant disruptions, especially if you rely on it for work or personal data storage. Fortunately, most OneDrive issues can be fixed with a few troubleshooting steps.

In this guide, we will explore various common reasons why OneDrive may not be working on a Mac, and we will walk you through step-by-step solutions to get your OneDrive working again.

1. Check Internet Connection

Before diving into more technical solutions, it is essential to check your internet connection. OneDrive requires an active internet connection to sync files, upload data to the cloud, and allow access to files stored online. Without a stable internet connection, OneDrive cannot function properly.

How to check your internet connection on Mac:

Check Wi-Fi Status: Ensure your Mac is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner of the screen to check the status. If it shows a connection to a network, try browsing websites to ensure the internet is working.
Test with Other Apps: Open other applications, like Safari or Chrome, and try loading websites or streaming content. If these apps aren’t working either, your internet connection is the likely culprit.
Switch Networks: If possible, switch to a different Wi-Fi network or connect your Mac directly to the router using an Ethernet cable to test the connection.

What to do if the internet is not working:

Restart your modem/router: If the internet is down, try restarting your router. Unplug it for 10-20 seconds and plug it back in. Wait for the connection to stabilize before testing again.
Contact ISP: If the issue persists, it might be due to a service outage from your Internet Service Provider. Contact them for further assistance.

Once you confirm that your internet connection is working properly, try using OneDrive again to see if it starts syncing.

2. Verify OneDrive Status

Sometimes, the problem isn't on your end but with Microsoft’s OneDrive servers. Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud-based service, and there can be temporary outages, server problems, or disruptions in service.

How to check the OneDrive service status:

Check Microsoft’s Service Health Page: Microsoft maintains a service status page where they provide real-time information about the health of OneDrive and other services within the Microsoft 365 suite.
Check Social Media and Forums: Sometimes, Microsoft will post updates about OneDrive outages or issues on their official social media channels. You can also check tech forums like Reddit for any community reports about OneDrive downtime.

If you confirm that there’s a service issue on Microsoft's end, you’ll need to wait for them to resolve it. You can continue monitoring the status to track when service is restored.

One of the most common causes of OneDrive not working on a Mac is an issue with your Microsoft account. If you’re signed out or having trouble with your credentials, OneDrive won’t be able to sync files or provide access to your data.

Check OneDrive Icon: Look for the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar at the top of your Mac screen. If the icon is not present, it means that OneDrive is not running or you're not signed in.
Sign in to OneDrive:
Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar and then click Sign In.
Enter your Microsoft account credentials (the same account associated with OneDrive) and follow the prompts to sign in.
Once logged in, OneDrive should start syncing your files again.

Check Credentials: Ensure that you are using the correct username and password for your Microsoft account. If you have multiple accounts, double-check which one is linked to your OneDrive account.
Account Permissions: If you have a work or school OneDrive account, make sure you have the proper permissions to use OneDrive on your Mac.
Forgot Password: If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it by going to the Microsoft website on any browser and following the prompts to recover your password.

Once you’re signed in correctly, OneDrive should start syncing your files.

4. Check OneDrive Storage Quota

If your OneDrive storage is full, it can cause syncing issues or prevent files from uploading. OneDrive offers both free and paid storage plans, and if your storage is full, new files cannot be added to your account, and syncing will be halted.

How to check OneDrive storage on Mac:

Click on the OneDrive Icon: Open the OneDrive app by clicking the cloud icon in the top menu bar.
Check Storage Usage: Go to Preferences > Account to view how much storage space you’ve used. If the storage is near or at its limit, you’ll need to free up some space.

What to do if OneDrive storage is full:

Delete Unnecessary Files: Remove old or large files that are no longer needed. Move them to your local drive or an external hard drive to free up space in your OneDrive.
Upgrade Storage: If you need more space, you can upgrade to a higher-tier OneDrive plan to increase your storage limit.

5. Update OneDrive App

OneDrive may not be working because you're using an outdated version of the app. Microsoft frequently releases updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and enhance security, so it's essential to keep your OneDrive app updated.

How to check for updates on Mac:

Mac App Store: If you downloaded OneDrive from the Mac App Store, open the App Store and click on Updates in the sidebar. If there's an update available for OneDrive, click Update.
OneDrive Settings: You can also check for updates directly from the OneDrive application. Click the OneDrive icon in the menu bar, go to Preferences, and check for available updates under the About tab.

Once updated, restart OneDrive to see if the issue persists.

6. Restart OneDrive

A simple restart can often resolve minor issues. If OneDrive is not syncing, crashing, or showing error messages, try restarting the app.

How to restart OneDrive on a Mac:

Quit OneDrive: Click the OneDrive icon in the menu bar and select Quit OneDrive.
Reopen OneDrive: Open the Applications folder on your Mac, locate OneDrive, and double-click to open the app.

Once restarted, check if OneDrive is working correctly.

7. Reset OneDrive

If restarting OneDrive doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to reset the app. Resetting OneDrive clears out the cached data and can help resolve issues with syncing, login problems, or file access.

How to reset OneDrive on Mac:

Quit OneDrive: Make sure OneDrive is closed by quitting the app (click on the OneDrive icon and select Quit).
Open the Terminal: Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
Run the Reset Command: In the Terminal window, type the following command:
Reopen OneDrive: After the reset completes, open OneDrive again by navigating to your Applications folder and double-clicking the OneDrive app.

Once reset, OneDrive should start syncing your files again.

8. Reinstall OneDrive

If resetting OneDrive doesn’t resolve the issue, reinstalling the app is the next step. This ensures that you are starting with a fresh installation of the app, which can help fix more persistent problems.

How to reinstall OneDrive on Mac:

Uninstall OneDrive:
Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
Locate OneDrive and drag it to the Trash.
Reinstall OneDrive:
Visit the Mac App Store, search for OneDrive, and reinstall the app.

After reinstalling OneDrive, sign in to your account and check if the app is working properly.

9. System Preferences and Permissions

OneDrive may not function correctly if there are permission or system setting issues. Make sure that OneDrive has the appropriate permissions to sync files and access your Mac’s storage.

How to check OneDrive permissions on Mac:

Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
Ensure OneDrive has the required permissions to access files and folders, including the Files and Folders and Full Disk Access sections.

10. Contact Microsoft Support

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance. They can provide more in-depth troubleshooting and check if the problem is related to your account or a specific technical issue.

Conclusion

OneDrive is a powerful cloud storage service, but like any software, it can encounter problems from time to time. If OneDrive is not working on your Mac, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue. From checking your internet connection and ensuring you’re signed in, to updating the app and reinstalling it, most issues can be fixed by following the steps outlined in this article.

If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to Microsoft support for additional help. Once the issue is resolved, OneDrive should once again be up and running smoothly on your Mac, allowing you to sync and access your files without any further issues.

How to Fix OneDrive Not Working on Mac?Updated 2 months ago