Fix OneDrive Error 102: Step-by-Step Guide

OneDrive error code 102, often accompanied by the message “Something went wrong,” typically appears when the OneDrive desktop app fails to sync files, connect to the server, or start properly. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes, from simple restarts to clearing cached credentials, so you can get your files syncing again.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your Windows PC or Mac (to run commands and modify settings)
Your Microsoft account credentials (email and password) for signing back in
A stable internet connection

Step-by-Step

Restart the OneDrive app. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom-right on Windows, top-right on Mac). Select Exit or Quit. Wait 30 seconds, then reopen OneDrive from the Start menu or Applications folder.
Reboot your computer. A full restart clears temporary glitches that often cause error 102. Save your work, restart, and check if OneDrive syncs automatically.
Check your internet connection. Open a web browser and visit a site like onedrive.com. If it loads, your connection is fine. If not, troubleshoot your Wi-Fi or Ethernet, restart your router, and try again.
Run the OneDrive sync troubleshooter (Windows only). Press Windows + I to open Settings, go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, find OneDrive, and click Run. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Reset OneDrive. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset, and press Enter. A black command window flashes briefly. Wait a few minutes for OneDrive to restart automatically. On Mac, quit OneDrive, then run /Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/MacOS/OneDrive /reset in Terminal.
Clear cached credentials. Open Control Panel (Windows) and go to User Accounts > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials. Scroll to “Generic Credentials” and remove any entries containing “OneDrive” or “MicrosoftOffice16”. Restart OneDrive and sign in again.
Repair Office/OneDrive installation (Windows). Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Microsoft OneDrive, click the three-dot menu, choose Advanced options, then click Repair. If that fails, try Reset.
Reinstall OneDrive. Uninstall OneDrive from Settings > Apps (Windows) or drag it to Trash (Mac). Download the latest version from the official Microsoft website and install it. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
Check for Windows updates. Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates, restart, and test OneDrive again.
Disable proxy/VPN temporarily. If you use a VPN or proxy, turn it off and try syncing. Some networks interfere with OneDrive’s connection. If it works, add OneDrive to your VPN’s split-tunnel exceptions.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the restart step. Many users jump straight to reinstalling, but a simple app restart resolves a surprising number of error 102 cases.
Not closing OneDrive fully before resetting. The reset command fails silently if OneDrive is still running. Always right-click the tray icon and choose Exit first.
Deleting the wrong credentials. In Credential Manager, be careful to only remove OneDrive-related entries. Deleting other credentials can break other apps.
Reinstalling without clearing old data. If you reinstall OneDrive but leave the old cache, the error can persist. Use the reset command before reinstalling.
Ignoring firewall prompts. When OneDrive asks for permission through Windows Firewall, click Allow. Blocking it causes connection errors.

Tips

Keep OneDrive updated. Enable automatic updates in OneDrive settings so you always have the latest fixes.
Check file names. Error 102 can appear when syncing files with invalid characters (like \ / : * ? " < > |) or names longer than 255 characters. Rename such files.
Pause and resume sync. Right-click the OneDrive icon, select Pause syncing for 2 hours, then resume. This sometimes clears a stuck queue.
Use the web version. While troubleshooting, you can still access your files at onedrive.com to avoid losing productivity.
Set OneDrive to start automatically. In OneDrive settings, under Settings, ensure “Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows” is checked.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t resolve error 102, try these additional checks:

Verify your account status. Sign in to the Microsoft account portal online. If your account is locked or has a billing issue, OneDrive may block sync.
Check disk space. Right-click your OneDrive folder and select Properties. If your drive is nearly full, free up space and try again.
Run a system file check (Windows). Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupted system files that may affect OneDrive.
Create a new Windows user profile. If the error persists only for your account, create a new user profile and test OneDrive there. If it works, migrate your files.
Check for conflicting software. Antivirus programs can sometimes block OneDrive. Temporarily disable your antivirus (not Windows Defender) and test. If it works, add OneDrive to the exclusion list.
Contact Microsoft Support. If nothing works after two full rounds of the steps above, use the built-in “Contact Support” link in OneDrive settings or visit the Microsoft support website for live chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting OneDrive delete my files?

No. The reset command only clears the app’s cache and settings. Your files remain on your computer and in the cloud. You’ll just need to sign in again after the reset.

Why does error 102 happen more often after a Windows update?

Windows updates can change network settings or security policies that OneDrive relies on. The reset and credential-clearing steps usually fix this, as they force OneDrive to re-establish its connection from scratch.

Can I fix error 102 on my phone?

Error 102 is primarily a desktop app issue. On mobile, try clearing the app cache (Android) or reinstalling the OneDrive app. If the problem is with your account, the desktop fixes won’t help the phone.

How long does the reset process take?

After running the reset command, OneDrive typically restarts within 2–5 minutes. The first sync after reset can take longer depending on how many files you have, but the app should be usable immediately.

What if I don’t see the OneDrive icon in the system tray?

Press the up arrow (^) to show hidden icons. If it’s still missing, search for “OneDrive” in the Start menu and open it manually. You can also run onedrive.exe from %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive.

Does error 102 mean my account is hacked?

No. Error 102 is a generic sync/connection error. It does not indicate a security breach. However, if you see unusual activity in your account, change your password as a precaution.

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

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →