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

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service that allows users to store files, synchronize them across devices, and share them with others. It is tightly integrated into the Windows operating system, making it one of the easiest ways to store files online. However, users may occasionally encounter issues where OneDrive is not working as expected on their Windows computers. These problems may manifest in various ways, such as the OneDrive application failing to launch, synchronization errors, or files not uploading or downloading properly.

This comprehensive guide aims to provide a detailed troubleshooting process to resolve issues with OneDrive not working on Windows. We will cover potential causes of OneDrive problems and offer solutions for each of them.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

The most common cause of OneDrive not working is an unstable or slow internet connection. OneDrive relies on an active internet connection to synchronize files, and a weak connection can result in errors during uploads or downloads.

Solution:

1. Ensure that your computer is connected to the internet and that the connection is stable.
2. Try opening a web browser and visiting websites to confirm your internet is working properly.
3. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, try moving closer to your router or switching to a wired connection.

2. Ensure OneDrive Is Running

Sometimes, the OneDrive app may not be running correctly, which could lead to synchronization failures. This can happen if the app crashes, gets disabled, or doesn't start up properly when you boot your system.

Solution:

1. Restart OneDrive: Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen), and select “Close OneDrive.” Afterward, search for OneDrive in the Start menu and open it again to restart the app.
2. Check Task Manager: If OneDrive is not starting, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, and look for any existing OneDrive processes under the “Processes” tab. If you find OneDrive running, right-click and choose "End Task" to terminate it. Afterward, restart the application manually from the Start menu.

3. Update OneDrive

Outdated software versions can sometimes cause OneDrive to malfunction. Microsoft regularly releases updates to address bugs, improve performance, and add new features. Running an older version of OneDrive can result in errors.

Solution:

1. Check for Updates in OneDrive: Click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray, and then click the gear icon to open OneDrive settings. Select the “About” tab, and click the “Check for updates” button.
2. Update Windows: Make sure your Windows operating system is up to date, as updates to Windows may include updates to the OneDrive app. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and check for updates.

4. Verify OneDrive Account Settings

Issues with OneDrive can also arise from incorrect account settings or sign-in problems. Sometimes, the OneDrive application fails to sync files if you are signed out of your account or if there are issues with your Microsoft account.

Solution:

1. Sign Out and Sign In Again: Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray and go to “Settings.” Then, navigate to the “Account” tab and click “Unlink this PC.” Afterward, sign in with your Microsoft account again.
2. Check Your Account: Make sure you are using the correct Microsoft account to sign in to OneDrive. Sometimes, OneDrive may not sync if there’s a discrepancy in the account used on your PC and the one linked to OneDrive.

5. Reset OneDrive

If none of the previous steps work, you might need to reset OneDrive. Resetting the app can resolve many issues by re-initializing its settings and configuration.

Solution:

1. Reset OneDrive Using Command Prompt:Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter. This command will reset OneDrive.
3. After a few minutes, OneDrive should restart automatically. If it doesn’t, manually open the app from the Start menu.

If resetting doesn’t work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall OneDrive, which is explained in the following section.

6. Reinstall OneDrive

Uninstalling and reinstalling OneDrive can resolve deeper issues that might not be fixed through other troubleshooting steps. If the app’s installation is corrupted, this can lead to constant crashes or syncing issues.

Solution:

1. Uninstall OneDrive:Open Settings and go to “Apps.”
2. Scroll down and find “Microsoft OneDrive.” Click it, and select “Uninstall.”
3. Follow the prompts to remove OneDrive from your computer.
4. Reinstall OneDrive:Visit the official Microsoft OneDrive website and download the latest version of OneDrive for Windows.
5. After the installation is complete, launch OneDrive from the Start menu and sign in to your Microsoft account to sync your files.

7. Check File Path Length

Windows has a file path length limitation, which means that files located deep in subfolders with long file paths may not sync properly. OneDrive may fail to sync files if the path exceeds the maximum allowable length.

Solution:

1. Shorten the File Path: Move files or folders to a location with a shorter path. For example, place the file or folder directly under the “OneDrive” folder instead of inside multiple subfolders.
2. Use the Group Policy Editor (Advanced Option): For advanced users, it’s possible to modify the maximum file path length limitation via the Group Policy Editor. This can be done by enabling the “Enable Win32 long paths” option.

8. Check for Conflicting Programs

Sometimes, third-party applications like antivirus software, firewalls, or VPNs can interfere with OneDrive's functioning, causing it to fail to sync or work incorrectly.

Solution:

1. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall: Disable your antivirus software or firewall to check if they are blocking OneDrive. If OneDrive works after disabling them, consider adjusting their settings to allow OneDrive to function without interference.
2. Disable VPN: If you’re using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), it could be affecting your connection to OneDrive’s servers. Disable the VPN and check if OneDrive starts working correctly.

9. Ensure Enough Storage Space

OneDrive requires sufficient storage space on both your local computer and your cloud account to sync files properly. If your computer or OneDrive cloud storage is full, it may prevent OneDrive from syncing files.

Solution:

1. Free Up Local Storage: Ensure that your computer has enough free space to store the files you are trying to sync. You can check your available disk space by opening “This PC” from File Explorer.
2. Manage OneDrive Storage: Visit the OneDrive website and check your cloud storage usage. If you’re running low on space, consider upgrading your plan or deleting unnecessary files.

10. Check for File and Folder Permissions

If the files or folders that you’re trying to sync are restricted or if there are permission issues, OneDrive may not be able to sync them.

Solution:

1. Check Permissions: Right-click the folder or file you want to sync, and select “Properties.” Go to the “Security” tab and ensure that your account has the necessary permissions to access the file.
2. Ensure Files Are Not Set to “Read-Only”: If a file is marked as “read-only,” OneDrive may fail to sync it. You can disable the read-only attribute in the file’s properties.

11. Check for Known OneDrive Server Issues

At times, OneDrive issues might be caused by outages or problems on Microsoft’s end. If there’s an ongoing problem with the OneDrive servers, it may take some time for the issue to be resolved.

Solution:

1. Check Microsoft’s Service Status: Visit the Microsoft Service Status page to check for any known issues with OneDrive. If the service is down, you may need to wait until Microsoft resolves the issue.

12. Use OneDrive Web Version

As a temporary solution, you can use the web version of OneDrive to upload, download, or manage files if the desktop application is still not working. This allows you to access your files while you continue troubleshooting the desktop app.

Solution:

1. Visit the OneDrive website and sign in with your Microsoft account to access and manage your files online.

Conclusion

OneDrive not working on Windows can be frustrating, but with these troubleshooting steps, you can typically resolve the issue. Whether the problem is related to account settings, a poor internet connection, file path length, or a conflict with another program, following the steps outlined above will help get OneDrive back up and running.