The 8 Most Common OneDrive Problems and How to Fix Them

OneDrive is one of the biggest players in the cloud storage industry. It is Microsoft's cloud solution for syncing, sharing, and backing up data.

OneDrive is particularly successful because it is part of Microsoft's robust ecosystem. Users can sync their Windows computers and other devices, share and access files across multiple devices, and use OneDrive's web-based applications to work on documents.

While the cloud service is one of the best out there, it isn't immune to glitches and errors. In this article, we'll be covering the most common problems that users face with OneDrive and how to fix them.

How to Fix OneDrive's Syncing Issues

This is the most common problem OneDrive users come across, so we devoted a separate article to it. You will find a detailed overview of OneDrive sync issues and the best ways to fix them there. Check it out if you are experiencing a OneDrive sync issue.

What If the OneDrive Icon Is Missing?

If you can't find OneDrive's icon in the taskbar, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar Settings from the context menu.
2. After the Taskbar Settings page opens, head to Notification Area and click on "Select which icons appear on the taskbar."
3. Toggle on the switch for OneDrive once the "Select which icons appear on the taskbar" page appears.

If OneDrive's icon isn't showing in File Explorer, you'll have to make some changes in the Windows registry.

Make sure you follow these steps carefully as things could go bad if you make any mistake when editing the registry. If you're not comfortable with making changes to the registry, get someone else to do it for you. You can also back up the entire registry before you proceed.

Now, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. After Run shows up, type "Regedit" into the text box and click on OK.
3. Click on the Yes button once the User Account Control dialog opens.
4. After the Registry Editor window shows up, head to the left side of the window and expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >> SOFTWARE >> Policies >> Microsoft >> OneDrive.
5. Click on the OneDrive key under Microsoft, head to the right side of the window, and double-click on DisableFileSyncNGSC.
6. Type 0 into the Value Data text box.
7. Next, double-click on DisableFileSync and enter 0 in the Value Data text box.

You can also use the Local Group Policy Editor if you're on the Pro or Enterprise version of Windows 10. Here's how:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. After Run shows up, type "gpedit.msc" into the text box and click on OK.
3. Once the program opens, head to the left side of the window and navigate to Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> OneDrive.
4. Click on OneDrive and head to the right pane.
5. Double-click on the "Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage" policy under Settings.
6. Once the policy's dialog window appears, select Not Configured and click on OK.

How to Fix the "OneDrive Automatically Paused on a PC" Issue

OneDrive is designed to automatically pause any syncing process once your system's Battery Saver mode kicks in. This way, it doesn't consume what's left of your battery life. Turning off the Battery Saver will fix the problem.

Here's what you should do:

1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Settings or press Win + I to launch the Settings app.
2. After Settings shows up, click on the System icon.
3. Once the System page appears, go to the left side of the window, scroll down, and click on Battery.
4. Now, go to the middle pane and toggle off the Battery Saver switch.

How to Fix the "You Are Syncing a Different Account" Error in OneDrive on Windows 10

The error usually shows up after an account's password has been changed. Your app might be yet to register the change. You can fix the problem by removing OneDrive's cached credentials via the Control Panel. Follow these steps:

1. Use the Win + R shortcut to open Run.
2. After the Run dialog box opens, type "control panel" into the text box and hit Enter.
3. Click on User Accounts once the first page of the Control Panel opens.
4. On the User Accounts page, select Credential Manager.
5. Once you get to the Credential Manager window, click on Windows Credentials.
6. Now, go to the OneDrive Cached Credentials section and remove the credentials under it.
7. Restart the OneDrive app and enter your details if prompted. 

Unlinking OneDrive and setting it up again should also fix the "You are syncing a different account" error.

Can't Find Your OneDrive Files?

Files don't usually go missing once they've been uploaded to OneDrive unless you delete them or they fail to sync successfully. Or you might have synced the files on a different account, which is why you cannot see them now.

If you're looking for a file, you can use the search function to find it. Log into your account on OneDrive's official website and type the file’s name into the search function. If you don't see it, head to the recycle bin and search for it there.

You should also double-check that you synced the file in the account where you're searching for it. If you have multiple OneDrive accounts, check others as well.

Word Files Not Opening on OneDrive's Web App

You should be able to edit Microsoft Word files with ease in OneDrive's online Word application. However, if you can't do that, these steps will show you how to fix the problem:

1. Open the folder where you saved your file.
2. Select the file.
3. Go to the menu bar at the top and click on the arrow in the Open option.
4. Select Open in Word Online from the menu.
5. The file should now launch in OneDrive's online Word application whenever you open it.

How to Fix the "Upgrade Browser" Error

This particular error message shows up whenever you try to use OneDrive in an unsupported web browser, such as old versions of Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and others. You'll have to upgrade your browser as the error suggests to get rid of the problem.

Problem Uploading Files via OneDrive's Website

You could be facing barriers because you want to use the OneDrive website to upload files larger than 100 GB. If you're on a school network, you can only upload 15 GB at a time. So, you'll have to reduce your file size to make things work. Also, ensure that the file path - including the filename - doesn't contain more than 400 characters. If it does, shorten it or move the file to a folder closer to your hard disk.

Conclusion

That's how to fix the most common OneDrive problems. We hope the article showed you how to resolve the issue you're experiencing.

You can also consider an alternative file sharing solution if you keep facing difficulties using OneDrive. For example, FileWhopper is a great cloud storage service that helps you transfer large files and folders without conforming to any upload limits or committing to any long-term subscriptions.

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider using this service:

• FileWhopper is perfect for one-time transfers. Indeed, FileWhopper is really convenient if you want to transfer an individual file or folder since you do not have to pay a monthly subscription fee. The service charges you based on the size of the file or folder you want to transfer, and there is no need to go through the long registration process or purchase a monthly subscription.

[fwa-calculator]

• You can easily find out how much you have to pay for the file or folder you want to transfer before you start the transfer process. A slider on FileWhopper's homepage helps you match your file size with the corresponding fee.
• You can send files and folders of any size, unlike when using some other services that enforce daily and one-time caps after charging exorbitant subscription fees.
• FileWhopper's transfer process is fast and smooth thanks to the service's multi-threaded technology. Your recipient can also start downloading your file or folder once you start uploading it.
• You don't have to worry about interruptions. If your internet goes out unexpectedly or your computer suddenly shuts down, the process will be automatically resumed once you set things up again.
• You'll get to enjoy competitive fees and a flexible payment process. The service offers first-time users a free 5GB transfer. Subsequent transfers are affordable, and you can choose to pay for them yourself or ask your recipient(s) to do that. This is useful in case you want to transfer a file or folder to a client.
• The one-time payment structure doesn't mean you'll be inundated with promotions for other services. While FileWhopper has other offerings such as increasing the number of recipients, extending the number of days your files stay on the service's servers, and insuring your transfers, you won't be persuaded to go for any. You only get to choose them if you want to.
• Unlike other services that require you to download and install heavy programs that can slow down your PC, FileWhopper uses a tiny application that helps you select the file or folder you want to transfer, encrypts it on your end and helps your recipient decrypt it, and shows you the transfer progress.
• Your files and folders are password-protected to restrict access to them to you and the recipient(s).
• The service keeps your file or folder on its servers for a period of 14 days and sends you a reminder once the window gets close to its last day. You can choose to extend the period.

You can try out the service right now to enjoy the advantages it offers. Remember that you can send 5 GB free of charge the first time you use FileWhopper.