Fix OneDrive Not Signing In on Windows

OneDrive sign-in failures on Windows can stop your files from syncing and block access to cloud storage. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes, from resetting the app to clearing cached credentials, so you can get back into your account quickly.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your Windows PC
Your Microsoft account credentials (email and password)
Internet connection (stable, not a VPN or proxy if possible)

Step-by-Step

Check Microsoft Service Status
Before changing anything on your PC, visit the Microsoft 365 Service Status page (status.office.com) or the Microsoft Account status page. If there’s an ongoing outage, sign-in will fail for everyone. Wait for the service to recover.
Restart OneDrive
Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom-right near the clock). Click Exit. Then click the Start button, type OneDrive, and press Enter to relaunch it. Try signing in again.
Reset OneDrive
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type the following and press Enter:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
If that path doesn’t work, try:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
A black command window flashes briefly. Wait about 30 seconds, then relaunch OneDrive from the Start menu. This clears corrupted cache files without deleting your local files.
Clear Cached Windows Credentials
Open Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager. Under Windows Credentials, look for entries starting with OneDrive Cached Credential or MicrosoftOffice16. Remove them. Then reopen OneDrive and sign in fresh. This forces Windows to request new authentication tokens.
Check Date and Time Settings
Incorrect system time breaks SSL authentication. Right-click the clock in the taskbar, select Adjust date/time, and ensure Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically are both turned on. If they already are, toggle them off and on again, then sync the clock manually.
Repair or Reinstall OneDrive
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Microsoft OneDrive, click the three-dot menu, and choose Advanced options. Click Repair first. If that doesn’t help, uninstall OneDrive, restart your PC, and reinstall the latest version from the Microsoft website.
Disable Conflicting Antivirus or VPN
Temporarily turn off any third-party antivirus or VPN software. If OneDrive signs in successfully, add OneDrive to the antivirus whitelist or reconfigure the VPN. Some security tools block OneDrive’s authentication endpoints.
Use the Web to Verify Account
Open a browser and go to onedrive.com. Sign in with the same Microsoft account. If you can’t sign in there, the problem is with your account (password, security info, or a temporary lock). Go through Microsoft’s account recovery process.
Check for Windows Updates
Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates, especially ones that mention .NET Framework or authentication. Restart your PC afterward.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong account type – OneDrive for Business (work/school) uses a different sign-in flow than personal Microsoft accounts. Make sure you’re selecting the correct account type.
Skipping the reset step – Many users try to sign in repeatedly without resetting the app. A corrupted cache is the most common cause of persistent sign-in loops.
Not clearing all cached credentials – Old tokens can remain even after uninstalling OneDrive. Always check Credential Manager after a reinstall.
Ignoring system time – A few minutes of clock drift can cause SSL errors that look like a sign-in problem.
Keeping the VPN on – Some VPNs route traffic through regions where Microsoft blocks authentication. Disconnect and try again.

Tips

If you use a work or school account, contact your IT admin. They may have conditional access policies that block sign-in from your device.
Run OneDrive as administrator once after a reset (right-click > Run as administrator) to ensure it can write to protected folders.
Keep your Windows account password and Microsoft account password the same if you use a PIN. A PIN can sometimes become out of sync with the underlying password.
Use the OneDrive Diagnostic Tool (available from Microsoft’s support site) to generate a detailed log if the problem persists.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve followed all steps and still can’t sign in:

Try a different user account – Create a temporary local administrator account and try OneDrive there. If it works, your original profile is corrupted. Use Windows’ built-in profile repair or migrate your files.
Check the Event Viewer – Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) and look under Windows Logs > Application for errors from OneDrive. The error codes can point to specific issues (e.g., 0x8004de40 usually means network or proxy problems).
Disable IPv6 – In Network Adapter settings, uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) temporarily. Some networks have broken IPv6 routing that interferes with OneDrive’s authentication servers.
Use the OneDrive sync health report – If you have a work account, the admin can check the health report in the SharePoint admin center to see if your device is blocked.
Reinstall with the standalone installer – Download the standalone OneDrive installer from Microsoft’s website (not the Microsoft Store version). The Store version sometimes has permission issues.
Check for group policy restrictions – On Windows Pro/Enterprise, run gpedit.msc and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > OneDrive. Ensure no policy is set to block sign-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive keep asking me to sign in every time I start Windows?

This usually happens when the cached credentials are corrupted or when the app can’t connect to the authentication server at startup. Resetting OneDrive (step 3) and clearing Windows credentials (step 4) usually fixes it.

Can I use OneDrive without signing in?

No. OneDrive requires a Microsoft account to sync files. You can view files in the web browser without signing in, but the desktop app needs authentication.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

Go to account.live.com/password/reset and follow the recovery process. You’ll need access to the recovery email or phone number associated with the account.

Does resetting OneDrive delete my files?

No. The reset command only clears the app’s cache and settings. Your local files remain untouched, and after you sign in again, OneDrive will re-sync them from the cloud.

Why does OneDrive work on my phone but not on my PC?

This points to a device-specific issue, such as corrupted local app data, a blocked port, or a proxy setting. Follow the reset and credential clearing steps, and check your firewall rules.

How do I know if my OneDrive is a personal or business account?

If you sign in with an email ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or a custom domain you set up, it’s personal. If it’s a work or school email (like @company.com), it’s business. The sign-in screen shows a toggle between the two.

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 →