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

Microsoft OneDrive is one of the most popular cloud storage solutions available today, providing users with the ability to store files in the cloud, access them from any device, and collaborate on documents with others. Whether you're using OneDrive as part of Microsoft 365 or just to back up important documents, it is an essential tool for many people. However, just like any other software, OneDrive can sometimes experience issues that prevent it from functioning properly on a Windows PC. These issues can range from syncing problems to login errors, to the app not opening at all.

In this article, we’ll discuss the most common issues you may encounter while using OneDrive on a PC and provide step-by-step solutions on how to resolve them. Whether you're facing syncing issues, login problems, or simply can't get OneDrive to work, you'll find helpful troubleshooting advice in this guide.

Common OneDrive Problems on PC

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s important to identify the specific issue you’re facing. The most common problems that users encounter with OneDrive on their PC include:

1. Syncing Problems: Files not syncing between your PC and the cloud.
2. Login Issues: Trouble logging into OneDrive with your Microsoft account.
3. App Crashing or Freezing: The OneDrive app fails to open or crashes during use.
4. Slow Syncing: OneDrive is slow to upload or download files.
5. Outdated Version: OneDrive may not work properly if it's not up-to-date.
6. Connection Issues: OneDrive may not be able to connect to the internet or Microsoft servers.
7. File Conflicts: Duplicate files or sync conflicts that prevent proper syncing.
8. Corrupted OneDrive Data: Sometimes, OneDrive’s local data or cache can become corrupted, which causes it to malfunction.

Let’s look at the solutions for each of these issues.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

One of the most common reasons OneDrive doesn’t work on PC is a poor or intermittent internet connection. Since OneDrive relies heavily on the internet to sync and upload files to the cloud, a stable internet connection is crucial.

Solution:

1. Test Your Internet Connection: Open a web browser and try accessing a few websites. If they load slowly or fail to load altogether, this indicates a connection problem.
2. Restart Your Router: If your internet speed is slow or erratic, try restarting your router or modem.
3. Switch Networks: If you are on a wireless network, try connecting your PC directly to the router using an Ethernet cable to check if that resolves the issue.
4. Test Other Devices: Check whether other devices on the same network can access the internet. If they can’t, the problem may be with your internet service provider (ISP).
5. Disable VPN: If you are using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), it could be interfering with OneDrive’s ability to sync. Try disabling the VPN temporarily to check if OneDrive starts working.

2. Sign In and Sign Out of OneDrive

Sometimes, OneDrive may have trouble syncing or functioning properly if there’s an issue with your Microsoft account. If your account has expired, been suspended, or if you're experiencing login problems, these issues can prevent OneDrive from syncing your files.

Solution:

1. Sign Out and Sign Back In:
2. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen).
3. Click on Settings.
4. Under the Account tab, select Unlink this PC.
5. After unlinking, restart OneDrive and sign back in using your Microsoft account credentials.
6. Check Your Microsoft Account: Ensure that your Microsoft account is active and has the correct login details. If you've forgotten your password or account information, visit the Microsoft account recovery page to reset your login details.
7. Ensure You’re Using the Correct Account: If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, make sure you are logged into the correct one associated with your OneDrive storage.

3. Restart OneDrive

Sometimes, OneDrive may not be responding properly, and restarting the app can help resolve minor issues or glitches. Restarting can refresh the app and allow it to sync your files correctly.

Solution:

1. Quit OneDrive:
2. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
3. Select Close OneDrive or Exit.
4. Confirm that OneDrive has fully closed.
5. Restart OneDrive:
6. Open the Start Menu and type OneDrive.
7. Click on the OneDrive app to launch it.
8. Wait a few moments for OneDrive to start syncing your files again.

4. Check for Updates

Running an outdated version of OneDrive can cause compatibility issues, syncing problems, and crashes. Microsoft periodically releases updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and enhance security.

Solution:

1. Update OneDrive:
2. Open Settings from the Start Menu.
3. Go to Update & Security and click on Windows Update.
4. Click Check for Updates to ensure your operating system is up-to-date.
5. For OneDrive, you can also check for updates:
6. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
7. Select Settings.
8. In the About tab, click Check for Updates to install any available updates.
9. Update Windows: OneDrive is integrated into Windows, and ensuring your Windows operating system is up-to-date can help resolve potential conflicts. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for updates.

5. Clear OneDrive Cache

Over time, OneDrive’s cache can become corrupted, causing the app to malfunction or sync files incorrectly. Clearing the cache can help restore OneDrive’s functionality.

Solution:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive and press Enter.
3. This will open the OneDrive folder. Locate and delete the cache folder.
4. After deleting the cache, restart OneDrive.

6. Check for File Conflicts

If two versions of a file are edited simultaneously (for example, one on your PC and one on a different device), OneDrive may not be able to sync the file properly and could create a conflict.

Solution:

1. Look for Sync Errors: Open the OneDrive app or the file explorer, and you should see a sync error icon next to the problematic file.
2. Resolve Conflicts: Right-click the conflicted file and select Resolve Conflict. OneDrive will give you options to merge the changes or keep one version of the file.
3. Rename Conflicted Files: If needed, you can manually rename files or remove one of the conflicting versions to allow OneDrive to sync the remaining version correctly.

7. Reinstall OneDrive

If all else fails, reinstalling OneDrive can help resolve deep-seated issues caused by corrupted files, software conflicts, or bugs.

Solution:

1. Uninstall OneDrive:
2. Press Windows + X and choose Apps and Features.
3. Scroll down and find OneDrive in the list of installed apps.
4. Click Uninstall to remove OneDrive from your PC.
5. Reinstall OneDrive:
6. Visit the Microsoft Store and search for OneDrive.
7. Click Get to download and install the latest version of OneDrive.
8. Sign in with your Microsoft account and check if the issue is resolved.

8. Check Permissions and Settings

Sometimes, OneDrive may not be able to sync files properly due to permission issues. You need to ensure that OneDrive has the necessary permissions to access your files and folders.

Solution:

1. Check Folder Permissions:
2. Open File Explorer and locate your OneDrive folder.
3. Right-click the OneDrive folder and select Properties.
4. In the Security tab, make sure that you (and OneDrive) have the appropriate permissions to access and modify the files in this folder.
5. Modify OneDrive Settings:
6. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and select Settings.
7. Under the Account tab, ensure that the files you want to sync are selected.
8. In the Network tab, you can also set upload and download limits. Try disabling these limits if syncing is slow.

9. Check Local Storage Space

If your PC's storage is almost full, OneDrive may not be able to sync new files or even open properly. It's important to ensure there’s enough free space for OneDrive to store files locally.

Solution:

1. Check Disk Space:
2. Open File Explorer and click on This PC.
3. Check the available space on your local drives, especially the drive where OneDrive is installed (typically the C: drive).
4. Free Up Space:
5. Delete unnecessary files from your PC or transfer them to an external storage device.
6. Alternatively, use OneDrive Files On-Demand to only download files you need, leaving the rest stored in the cloud.

10. Contact Microsoft Support

If you’ve tried all of the above troubleshooting methods and OneDrive is still not working properly, it may be time to contact Microsoft Support. They can help you resolve more advanced issues or check if there’s an issue with your account or the OneDrive service itself.

Solution:

1. Contact Microsoft Support: You can reach Microsoft Support through their official website or through the Support option in your OneDrive settings.

Conclusion

OneDrive is an excellent tool for syncing files across multiple devices, but when it’s not working properly, it can be frustrating. Fortunately, most issues with OneDrive on a PC can be solved with a few simple troubleshooting steps. By checking your internet connection, signing in and out of your account, updating the app and operating system, clearing the cache, and reinstalling OneDrive, you can resolve most issues.