Fix OneDrive “You Aren’t Signed In” in Windows 10

The OneDrive “You aren’t signed in” message in Windows 10 usually means the sync app cannot authenticate your Microsoft account or connect to its account service. Start by checking your internet connection and signing in again; if that fails, restart OneDrive, clear a stale Windows credential, or reset the sync app in that order.

What the message means

OneDrive for Windows uses your account to connect the local sync folder with files stored online. If the app is signed out, its sign-in token is out of date, or a network or account issue interrupts authentication, syncing can pause and Windows may show a message asking you to sign in.

This does not automatically mean your cloud files have been deleted. Files already uploaded remain in OneDrive online, while local files may still be on the computer. However, changes made while syncing is paused might not reach other devices until the account connection is restored. Avoid deleting the OneDrive folder or unlinking the computer before checking which files are stored locally and online.

Try these checks first

1. Confirm the connection. Open a browser and load a familiar website. If you are on a workplace or school network, a proxy, firewall, or sign-in page may prevent OneDrive from reaching its services. Try another trusted network if available.
2. Check Microsoft account access. Sign in to OneDrive on the web with the same account. If the website rejects the password or asks you to verify your identity, resolve that account prompt first. OneDrive cannot sign in until the account itself is accessible.
3. Check date and time. In Windows, open Settings > Time & Language > Date & time and make sure the time and time zone are correct. Incorrect system time can interfere with secure sign-in.
4. Restart Windows. A restart can clear a temporary network or app problem. After signing back in, look for the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area. Select the upward arrow near the clock if the icon is hidden.

Sign in to OneDrive again

Select the OneDrive cloud icon near the clock. If the app displays a sign-in prompt, choose it and enter the Microsoft account used for the files. Follow any verification steps shown on screen. If no prompt appears, open OneDrive from the Start menu and check its account or settings controls.

Make sure you choose the right account. A personal Microsoft account and a work or school account are separate, even if their email addresses look similar. If you use both, the files may belong to different OneDrive locations. Signing in with the wrong account can make the expected folders appear to be missing, although it does not remove them from the correct account.

If Windows says the account needs attention, complete the requested verification rather than repeatedly entering the password. For a work or school account, an organization may require an administrator to restore access or update sign-in settings.

Clear a stale saved credential

A saved sign-in entry can become outdated after a password change or account security update. You can remove the relevant OneDrive credential so the app asks for fresh sign-in details. Do not delete unrelated credentials: other Windows apps may depend on them.

1. Close OneDrive by selecting its cloud icon, opening Help & Settings, and choosing Close OneDrive or Quit OneDrive, if shown.
2. Search Windows for Credential Manager and open it.
3. Select Windows Credentials. Look for an entry clearly related to OneDrive or the Microsoft account that is having trouble.
4. Remove only the relevant entry, then start OneDrive from the Start menu and sign in again.

The exact credential label can vary, and not every system will have a separate OneDrive entry. If you cannot confidently identify the right item, leave the credentials alone and try resetting OneDrive instead.

Reset OneDrive if signing in still fails

Resetting OneDrive restarts its sync setup and can clear damaged app state. It does not intentionally erase files stored in the cloud, but it may take time to rescan folders and sync them again. Ensure important files are backed up and do not interrupt a large resync unnecessarily.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and select OK.
3. If Windows reports that it cannot find the file, the OneDrive executable may be installed in another location. Try C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset, or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
4. Wait briefly. If OneDrive does not reopen, search for OneDrive in the Start menu and launch it manually.

After reset, sign in if asked and confirm the displayed OneDrive folder is the one you expect. A reset may restart syncing without removing the local folder, but review any prompts before confirming changes. If the command does not work, check that OneDrive is installed and up to date through Windows settings or your organization’s support process.

Check account, storage, and service issues

If the app remains signed out, check whether the account is locked, needs security verification, or has a password that recently changed. For a work or school account, ask the organization’s support team whether access, device policy, or a sign-in requirement has changed. Do not try to bypass those controls.

Also distinguish a sign-in error from a sync limitation. Full cloud storage can prevent new files from uploading, but it is not the same as being signed out. Likewise, a file-specific sync warning may concern an unsupported name, open file, or permission rather than the account connection. Read the message in the OneDrive activity panel to identify which problem is present.

If many users are affected at once, there may be a temporary service interruption. Check Microsoft’s service health information where available, then try again later. Reinstalling OneDrive is usually a later step, not the first response: it may require another sign-in and a fresh sync, so confirm local files are safe first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting OneDrive delete my files?
Resetting is intended to restart the app and its sync process, not erase cloud files. Still, check that important files exist online or in a separate backup before troubleshooting, and read any prompts carefully.

Why does OneDrive keep asking me to sign in?
Common causes include an expired sign-in token, a changed password, a saved credential that no longer works, inaccurate Windows time, or a network or organization policy issue. Signing in again and then checking the credential or account status can narrow it down.

Can I access OneDrive files while signed out?
Files already downloaded to the computer may remain available in the local OneDrive folder. Online-only files require an internet connection and a working account sign-in. A cloud icon or file status in File Explorer can help distinguish files that are stored locally from those that are not.

Does a full OneDrive account cause the “aren’t signed in” message?
Usually, storage limits affect uploading or syncing new changes rather than authentication itself. Confirm whether the app specifically reports a sign-in problem or a storage warning before choosing a fix.

What if this is a work or school OneDrive account?
Try the same basic network and sign-in checks, but contact your organization’s IT support if verification, device approval, or access is blocked. Administrators may manage account and device settings that you cannot change yourself.

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