Basics

14 reasons why OneDrive doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

by Jonathan Dudamel
10 min read

If OneDrive won’t sync or open, the most common cause is a broken connection between your PC and the cloud — sign-in, app errors, settings, or Windows policies can all stop syncing. This article explains why OneDrive doesn’t work in Windows 10, what typically causes it, and gives step-by-step fixes so you can get your files syncing again.

You’ll learn 14 common reasons for OneDrive failures (from account and app issues to group policies and network blocks), quick fixes, and detailed, beginner-friendly repair steps.

Contents show

Key Takeaway

Most OneDrive problems are fixed by checking your account/sign-in status, resetting or reinstalling the OneDrive client, ensuring sync settings are correct (Files On‑Demand/folder selection), and removing system or network blocks (firewall, Group Policy, antivirus). Start with a reset/unlink-and-relink — that resolves the majority of issues.

Quick Fix Guide

Reason for the Problem Quick Solution
Not signed in or using wrong account Sign in to the correct Microsoft account in the OneDrive settings.
OneDrive app not running Restart OneDrive via Taskbar > OneDrive > Help & Settings > Close OneDrive, then launch it.
Outdated OneDrive client Update OneDrive via Settings > Update & Security or download the latest installer from Microsoft.
Windows 10 missing updates Install Windows updates via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
OneDrive or PC storage full Free up local or OneDrive cloud storage or buy more storage.
File too large or contains illegal characters Rename or split the file and remove prohibited characters (< > : ” / \
File path too long Move files to a shorter path (under 260 characters) or shorten folder names.
Sync paused Resume sync from OneDrive menu Help & Settings > Resume syncing.
Folder not selected for sync Choose folders in OneDrive > Help & Settings > Settings > Account > Choose folders.
Corrupt cache / database Reset OneDrive using %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset.
Group Policy or registry blocking OneDrive Undo Group Policy/Registry changes that disable OneDrive.
Firewall or antivirus blocking Allow OneDrive.exe through firewall/AV or create an exception.
Network / proxy restrictions Disable proxy or configure proxy to allow OneDrive traffic or switch network.
Corrupted installation Reinstall OneDrive (download installer or run %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe or Program Files path).
See also  7 reasons why Ping localhost doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

Detailed Fixes for “tu mets ici le problème du 14 reasons why OneDrive doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)”

1. Not signed in or using the wrong account

Why it breaks:
OneDrive must be connected to a valid Microsoft account. If you’re signed out, using a different account, or the account credentials changed, sync stops.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area (system tray). If you don’t see it, click the up-arrow.
  2. If it says “Not signed in” or shows a different email, click Help & Settings > Settings > Account.
  3. Click Add an account or Unlink this PC, then sign in with the correct Microsoft account.
  4. Follow the setup wizard and choose folders to sync.

Note: If your organization uses a work/school account, ensure your organization’s admin hasn’t disabled sync.

2. OneDrive app not running or crashed

Why it breaks:
If the OneDrive process is not running, no sync will occur.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. On the Processes tab, find Microsoft OneDrive. If present, select it and click End task.
  3. Restart OneDrive: press Windows key + R, paste %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe, and press Enter.
  4. If you don’t find that path, try C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\OneDrive.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\OneDrive.exe.

Tip: Add OneDrive to startup if it’s not starting automatically: Settings > Apps > Startup, toggle OneDrive on.

3. Outdated OneDrive client

Why it breaks:
Older clients may have bugs or compatibility issues.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Open OneDrive > Help & Settings > Settings and look for an update prompt.
  2. If not available, download the latest installer from Microsoft: search “Download OneDrive” and run the installer.
  3. Alternatively, run the built-in installer: %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe (64-bit systems) or %SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe.
  4. After installing, restart the PC.

4. Windows 10 missing critical updates

Why it breaks:
Some OneDrive features rely on OS updates or bug fixes.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates and install all available updates.
  3. Reboot the PC after updates finish.

Tip: Install optional feature updates if OneDrive features were affected by a larger bug.

5. OneDrive or local storage full

Why it breaks:
If your OneDrive cloud storage or local disk is full, new files won’t sync.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Check cloud storage: visit https://onedrive.live.com and sign in to see storage usage.
  2. Check local disk: open This PC and view drive usage.
  3. Free space by deleting unneeded files, emptying Recycle Bin, or buying more OneDrive storage.
  4. Consider enabling Files On‑Demand (see section below) to save local space.

6. File too large or contains illegal characters

Why it breaks:
OneDrive has file size limits and disallows certain characters and names.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. File size: split large files or compress them (OneDrive currently supports files up to 250 GB depending on client and settings).
  2. Illegal characters: rename files to remove characters such as **< > : ” / \ | ? ***.
  3. Avoid reserved names such as CON, PRN, etc.
See also  10 reasons why Dropbox doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

Tip: Use PowerShell or File Explorer to batch-rename problem files.

7. File path too long

Why it breaks:
Windows has a path length limitation; extremely long paths can stop sync.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Move files to a folder closer to the root (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\) or shorten folder/file names.
  2. To enable long paths in Windows 10 (requires version 1607+):
    • Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter.
    • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Filesystem, enable Enable Win32 long paths.
    • If no Group Policy Editor (Home editions), set registry key: open regedit and set HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem\LongPathsEnabled to 1.
  3. Restart the PC.

Note: Some apps may not support long paths even after enabling this.

8. Sync is paused

Why it breaks:
OneDrive can be manually paused; notifications or power settings may pause it automatically.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Click the OneDrive icon, then Help & Settings.
  2. If you see Resume syncing, click it.
  3. Also check Power & battery settings: Settings > System > Power & sleep, ensure power-saving features aren’t limiting background apps.

9. Folder not selected for sync or Files On‑Demand misconfigured

Why it breaks:
If you didn’t choose a folder to sync or Files On‑Demand is off, expected files may not appear locally.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Click OneDrive icon > Help & Settings > Settings > Account > Choose folders.
  2. Check the folders you want to sync and click OK.
  3. For Files On‑Demand: Settings > Help & Settings > Settings and ensure Save space and download files as you use them is checked if you want placeholders.

Tip: Turning Files On‑Demand off will download all files and use local disk space.

10. Corrupt OneDrive cache or database

Why it breaks:
Corrupt local metadata can prevent sync or cause errors.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Reset OneDrive (this won’t delete files in cloud):
    • Press Windows key + R and run:
      %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset
    • If no icon appears after a few minutes, run:
      %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe
  2. For older installations, you may need the C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset path.

Note: Reset re-syncs metadata and may take time for large libraries.

11. Group Policy or registry blocking OneDrive

Why it breaks:
Enterprise or accidental changes to Group Policy / registry can disable OneDrive integration.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive.
  3. Ensure Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage is Not configured or Disabled.
  4. If GP editor unavailable, check registry: open regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive. If DisableFileSync is present and set to 1, set to 0 or delete the key.
  5. Reboot to apply.

Warning: In managed devices, your IT admin may reapply policies.

12. Firewall or antivirus blocking OneDrive

Why it breaks:
Security software can block OneDrive’s network access or executable files.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
  2. Click Allow an app through firewall, find Microsoft OneDrive and ensure both Private and Public are checked.
  3. For third-party AV/firewalls, add OneDrive.exe as an exception (paths listed earlier).
  4. Temporarily disable firewall/AV to test if it’s the cause (do this briefly and cautiously).
See also  10 reasons why Network Reset doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

13. Network restrictions or proxy issues

Why it breaks:
Proxies, captive portals, or network filters can prevent OneDrive from connecting.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Try another network (mobile hotspot) to confirm.
  2. If proxy is used: Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, disable Use a proxy server to test.
  3. For corporate proxies, ensure TLS and ports needed by OneDrive (HTTPS/443) are allowed.
  4. If on a public Wi‑Fi, complete any captive portal login.

14. Corrupted installation or missing files

Why it breaks:
If OneDrive files are corrupted or partially removed, the client behaves erratically.

Step-by-step fix:

  1. Uninstall OneDrive: Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Microsoft OneDrive, click Uninstall.
  2. Reinstall by downloading the latest OneDrive installer from Microsoft or run the setup file:
    • %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe or the Program Files path.
  3. After reinstall, sign in and configure sync.

Tip: Back up any unsynchronized local files before uninstalling.

Maintenance et prévention (Additional section)

  • Keep Windows and OneDrive updated and enable automatic updates.
  • Use Files On‑Demand to avoid filling local disks.
  • Avoid storing OneDrive folders on external or removable drives.
  • Regularly check OneDrive status via the cloud icon and clear sync errors promptly.
  • Keep a small spare quota in cloud storage for system files and temporary sync bursts.

FAQ

Q: How do I recover a file deleted because OneDrive failed to sync?
A: Visit https://onedrive.live.com > Recycle bin and restore the file within 30 days (longer for some accounts); check Version history on the online file to restore earlier edits.

Q: Can I use OneDrive with multiple accounts on the same PC?
A: Yes — OneDrive supports one personal and multiple work/school accounts in the same client; add them under OneDrive > Settings > Account > Add an account and choose different sync folders.

Q: Does OneDrive impact PC performance?
A: OneDrive can use CPU, disk, and network when syncing large changes; use Files On‑Demand, limit upload/download rates under Help & Settings > Settings > Network, or pause sync temporarily.

Q: Why are Office files (Word/Excel) not syncing or showing “locked”?
A: This usually means the file is open locally or locked by another user. Save and close files, disable Office integration (OneDrive Settings > Office tab > uncheck Use Office to sync files…) to test.

Q: How can I force OneDrive to resync a problematic folder?
A: Unselect the folder in Choose folders, allow OneDrive to update, then reselect it; or move the folder out of OneDrive, wait for sync, and move it back.

Conclusion

Most problems with OneDrive doesn’t work in Windows 10 stem from sign-in issues, a stopped or corrupted client, sync settings, or system/network blocks — and are fixable using the steps above. Start with a reset/unlink-and-relink, ensure your account and settings are correct, and check for system policies or security software that might be blocking OneDrive.

About the author

Jonathan Dudamel

Jonathan Dudamel

I'm Jonathan Dudamel, an experienced IT specialist and network engineer passionate about all things Windows. I have deep expertise in Microsoft project management, virtualization (VMware ESXi and Hyper-V), and Microsoft’s hybrid platform. I'm also skilled with Microsoft O365, Azure ADDS, and Windows Server environments from 2003 through 2022.

My strengths include Microsoft network infrastructure, VMware platforms, CMMS, ERP systems, and server administration (2016/2022).

View all posts

You may also like