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10 Tech How-To

Fix OneDrive Error 0x80270113 for Photos

Guide 10-22456 · Updated · Step by step

OneDrive error 0x80270113 usually appears when you try to open or download photos stored in the cloud, often due to a sync conflict, a corrupted cache, or a misconfigured network connection. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes, from clearing the OneDrive cache to resetting the app, so you can access your photos again without losing any files.

What You’ll Need

  • Administrator access to your Windows computer (for some steps).
  • A stable internet connection.
  • Your Microsoft account credentials (you may need to sign in again).

Step-by-Step

  1. Check your internet connection and OneDrive status. First, make sure you’re online and that OneDrive isn’t showing a “Not running” or “Paused” status in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen, near the clock). If it’s paused, click the OneDrive cloud icon and select “Resume syncing.”
  2. Restart the OneDrive app. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray and select “Exit.” Then, press the Windows key, type “OneDrive,” and press Enter to relaunch it. Wait a minute and try accessing your photos again.
  3. Clear the OneDrive cache. A corrupted cache is a common cause of this error. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\ and press Enter. In the folder that opens, delete everything inside the cache folder (if it exists). If you’re unsure, you can also reset OneDrive entirely (see step 5).
  4. Check for file name or path issues. OneDrive has limits on file names and paths (e.g., 400 characters total). If the photo you’re trying to access has an unusually long name or is in a deeply nested folder, rename it to something shorter (e.g., “IMG_1234.jpg”) and try again.
  5. Reset OneDrive. This is the most reliable fix. Press Windows + R, type onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter. A command prompt window may flash briefly. Wait for OneDrive to restart automatically (it may take a minute). If it doesn’t, launch OneDrive manually from the Start menu. This re-syncs your account and clears most glitches.
  6. Re-link your account. If resetting doesn’t work, unlink and re-link your account. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon, select “Settings,” go to the “Account” tab, and click “Unlink this PC.” Then, sign in again with your Microsoft account. This forces a fresh sync of your library.
  7. Run the OneDrive sync health check (if available). In OneDrive settings, under the “Sync and backup” tab, you may see a “Sync health” section. Click “Check for issues” and follow the prompts. This can identify specific files that are causing problems.
  8. Update or reinstall OneDrive. Outdated versions can have bugs. Check for updates by right-clicking the OneDrive icon, selecting “Settings,” and looking for “About” or “Version.” If you’re not on the latest version, download the latest OneDrive from the Microsoft website. If it’s already updated, you can uninstall and reinstall it from the Control Panel (this will not delete your files, but you’ll need to sign in again).

Common Mistakes

  • Deleting files to fix the error. Never delete the photos themselves to resolve the error—you’ll lose your data. Only delete cache files or reset the app.
  • Ignoring the system tray icon. If OneDrive is paused or not running, no fix will work. Always check the cloud icon first.
  • Using a VPN or proxy without configuring OneDrive. Some VPNs block OneDrive’s connection. Temporarily disable your VPN or add an exception for OneDrive.
  • Assuming the error is on the server side. While Microsoft outages happen, they’re rare. Always try the local fixes first.

Tips

  • Use the “Free up space” feature. If you’re accessing photos that are cloud-only, right-click a file and select “Free up space” to make it online-only, which can reduce sync conflicts.
  • Keep your Windows and OneDrive updated. Regular updates fix known bugs that cause errors like 0x80270113.
  • Organize your photos into fewer, smaller folders. This reduces the chance of hitting path length limits and makes syncing more efficient.
  • Pause and resume syncing. If you have a large number of photos, pausing sync for a few minutes and then resuming can help clear a backlog.

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after trying all the steps above, here are additional things to try:

  • Check if the error is specific to one photo. Try accessing a different photo. If only one fails, the file may be corrupted in the cloud. You can try downloading it from the OneDrive website (onedrive.com) instead.
  • Clear your Windows credential manager. Sometimes old cached credentials cause issues. Go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials. Look for any entry starting with “OneDrive” or “MicrosoftAccount” and remove them. Then restart OneDrive and sign in again.
  • Run the Windows System File Checker. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupted system files that might interfere with OneDrive.
  • Disable third-party antivirus temporarily. Some security software can block OneDrive’s sync engine. Disable your antivirus for a few minutes to test, then re-enable it. If that fixes it, add OneDrive to the antivirus’s whitelist.
  • Check your firewall settings. Ensure OneDrive.exe is allowed through Windows Defender Firewall. Go to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall, and make sure OneDrive is checked for both Private and Public networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting OneDrive delete my photos?

No. Resetting OneDrive only clears local cache and re-syncs your account. Your files remain in the cloud and will be re-downloaded to your PC.

Why does this error happen only with photos and not other files?

Photos are often large and numerous, which can trigger sync limits or cache issues. Also, photo file names from cameras can be very long or contain special characters that OneDrive may have trouble with.

Can I fix this error on a Mac?

Yes, the same general steps apply: restart OneDrive, reset it (run /Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/MacOS/OneDrive with the --reset flag), and re-link your account.

What if the error appears when I try to download photos from the OneDrive website?

That suggests a browser issue. Try clearing your browser cache, using a different browser, or downloading the photos in smaller batches (e.g., 10 at a time).

How long does a OneDrive reset take?

It usually takes a few minutes. After reset, OneDrive will automatically restart and begin syncing. You may need to sign in again.

Is there a way to prevent this error in the future?

Yes. Keep OneDrive updated, avoid excessively long file names, don’t store thousands of photos in one folder, and regularly pause/resume sync if you add a huge batch of files.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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