How to Fix OneDrive Not Working on Windows 10?Updated a month ago

OneDrive is a cloud storage service by Microsoft, integrated into the Windows 10 operating system to allow users to store files and data online, synchronize them across devices, and share them seamlessly. However, many Windows 10 users encounter various issues with OneDrive that can disrupt their workflow. These issues range from sync problems to application crashes and errors.

While OneDrive is a powerful tool, it can sometimes fail to work as expected on Windows 10. This article will explore common causes for OneDrive not working and provide detailed solutions to fix the problem. We will break down troubleshooting steps in a systematic manner, so you can identify the problem and resolve it effectively.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

OneDrive requires a stable internet connection to sync files and upload data to the cloud. A weak or unstable connection may cause OneDrive to behave erratically, such as failing to upload or download files or showing sync errors.

Solution:

1. Ensure Active Internet Connection: Check if your internet connection is working correctly by visiting a website or streaming content.
2. Reboot Your Router: If you experience intermittent connectivity, restarting your router might help stabilize the connection.
3. Switch to a Wired Connection: If you are on Wi-Fi, try using a wired Ethernet connection to ensure a stable internet connection.

2. Restart OneDrive

A simple restart can often resolve many software issues, including OneDrive not working on Windows 10. If the OneDrive app isn’t running or is stuck, restarting it can often resolve the problem.

Solution:

1. Restart OneDrive:
2. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar).
3. Select Close OneDrive from the menu that appears.
4. Once OneDrive is closed, open the Start menu, search for OneDrive, and open the app again.

This will restart OneDrive and could fix any temporary issues caused by the app freezing or not launching properly.

3. Check OneDrive Status

Sometimes OneDrive might stop working because the service itself is down. Issues like server outages or maintenance on Microsoft’s side can affect OneDrive’s functionality.

Solution:

1. Check for Microsoft Service Outages: You can visit the official Microsoft support page or service status page to check if there’s an ongoing issue with the OneDrive servers. If there is an outage, you’ll have to wait until the issue is resolved on Microsoft’s end.

4. Update OneDrive

Outdated software versions can sometimes cause incompatibilities with the Windows 10 operating system, leading to OneDrive not functioning correctly. It’s essential to keep both Windows 10 and OneDrive updated to ensure optimal performance.

Solution:

1. Update OneDrive:
2. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and select Settings.
3. Navigate to the About tab and click Check for updates.

OneDrive will check for the latest updates, and if any updates are available, they will be automatically downloaded and installed.

1. Update Windows 10:
2. Open the Settings app by clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings.
3. Go to Update & Security.
4. Click Check for Updates to make sure your system is up to date.

5. Ensure You’re Signed into OneDrive

OneDrive requires you to sign in with a Microsoft account to sync files to the cloud. If you are not signed in, it will not work as expected.

Solution:

1. Sign In to OneDrive:
2. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and choose Settings.
3. Under the Account tab, ensure that your Microsoft account is listed and signed in.
4. If you’re not signed in, click Sign in and enter your Microsoft account credentials.

If you’ve previously signed in, but OneDrive is not syncing or working, try signing out and signing back in again. This will often solve sign-in-related problems.

6. Reset OneDrive

If OneDrive is still not functioning, even after signing in, restarting the app, and ensuring everything is up to date, resetting OneDrive can often resolve persistent problems. Resetting OneDrive will clear the cache, and in some cases, it will fix sync issues.

Solution:

1. Reset OneDrive:
2. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:
4. This command resets OneDrive. It may take a few minutes to fully reset, and the app will automatically restart after the reset is complete.

If OneDrive doesn’t restart automatically after the reset, you can manually start it by searching for OneDrive in the Start menu and clicking to open it.

7. Unlink and Relink OneDrive

Sometimes unlinking and relinking your OneDrive account can resolve issues like syncing failures, file upload errors, or issues with file access.

Solution:

1. Unlink and Relink OneDrive:
2. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
3. Select Settings.
4. Under the Account tab, click Unlink this PC.
5. Follow the prompts to unlink your account, and then sign in again to relink your OneDrive account.

This will refresh the connection between your PC and OneDrive, potentially fixing sync and connectivity issues.

8. Ensure Enough Storage Space

If your OneDrive account or your local storage is full, OneDrive will not be able to sync files properly. Make sure there is sufficient space both in your cloud storage and on your local disk.

Solution:

1. Check OneDrive Storage:
2. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and select View Online.
3. Once the web page opens, check the storage usage to see if you have reached your storage limit.
4. If you're running low on space, consider deleting unnecessary files or upgrading your storage plan.
5. Check Local Storage:
6. Open File Explorer and check the available space on your local drive (typically C:).
7. If space is low, free up some room by deleting unnecessary files or using the Disk Cleanup tool.

9. Check File Path Length

Windows 10 has a maximum file path length limitation of 260 characters. If your OneDrive files or folders exceed this limit, OneDrive may fail to sync them properly.

Solution:

1. Shorten File Path: Move files or folders to a higher-level directory within your OneDrive folder. For example, instead of storing files inside several nested subfolders, place them directly under the main OneDrive directory.
2. Enable Long Path Support (Advanced): If you frequently work with deep directory structures, you can enable support for long file paths through Group Policy. This will remove the 260-character limitation.

10. Disable Third-Party Antivirus or Firewall

Sometimes, third-party antivirus programs or firewalls can interfere with OneDrive’s ability to sync files. These applications might block OneDrive’s access to the internet or cloud storage.

Solution:

1. Temporarily Disable Antivirus: Disable your antivirus software temporarily and check if OneDrive starts working. If it does, you may need to adjust your antivirus settings to allow OneDrive to function correctly.
2. Disable Firewall: Similarly, disable the firewall temporarily and see if it resolves the issue.

If disabling antivirus or firewall software helps, you may need to configure them to allow OneDrive access without completely disabling them.

11. Check for Conflicting Software

Certain programs, such as backup utilities or other cloud services, can conflict with OneDrive. These programs might interfere with file syncing or try to take control of files that OneDrive is attempting to sync.

Solution:

1. Identify Conflicting Software: If you recently installed software like another cloud storage service (e.g., Google Drive or Dropbox), try disabling or uninstalling it temporarily to see if OneDrive works.
2. Clean Boot: Perform a clean boot of Windows 10, which starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a background process or application is interfering with OneDrive.

12. Reinstall OneDrive

If none of the above solutions have worked, you may need to uninstall and reinstall OneDrive. A clean installation can help fix issues caused by corrupted files or settings.

Solution:

1. Uninstall OneDrive:
2. Open Settings and go to Apps.
3. Scroll down and find Microsoft OneDrive in the list of installed applications.
4. Select Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions to remove it.
5. Reinstall OneDrive:
6. Download the latest version of OneDrive from Microsoft’s official website or reinstall it through the Windows 10 settings.
7. Open OneDrive and sign in to your Microsoft account to set it up again.

Conclusion

OneDrive is an essential tool for managing files in the cloud, but when it stops working, it can be frustrating. Thankfully, there are several ways to troubleshoot and fix common OneDrive problems on Windows 10. Whether it’s a poor internet connection, outdated software, sync issues, or conflicts with other applications, the solutions provided in this guide should help you resolve the problem.