Table of Contents
- What Are the Most Effective, Positive Ways to Fix OneDrive Sign-In Issues on Windows 11?
- Solution 1: Reset OneDrive and Clear Login Info
- Step 1: Quit OneDrive completely
- Step 2: Clear stored OneDrive passwords
- Step 3: Reset OneDrive app
- Step 4: Try to sign in
- Solution 2: Remove and Reinstall OneDrive
- Step 1: Uninstall OneDrive
- Step 2: Delete leftover files
- Step 3: Download and install the latest OneDrive
- Solution 3: Check Internet Connection and Security
- Step 1: Test your internet
- Step 2: Turn off antivirus/firewall temporarily
- Step 3: Check with your IT admin (if on work/school network)
- Solution 4: Fix Account and Login Problems
- Gray OneDrive icon?
- Forgotten your email or password?
- Reset or recover work/school account
- Sign-in window not showing?
- Solution 5: Avoid Multiple OneDrive Apps
- OneDrive installed twice causes issues
- Don’t open both the Microsoft Store and standalone versions
- More Ideas If It Still Doesn’t Work
What Are the Most Effective, Positive Ways to Fix OneDrive Sign-In Issues on Windows 11?
When OneDrive will not sign in on Windows 11, you cannot sync files or access recent changes. Sometimes the app gets stuck, shows error messages, or doesn’t ask for your login details. Fixing this means your files stay safe and you keep things running smoothly.
Solution 1: Reset OneDrive and Clear Login Info
Step 1: Quit OneDrive completely
Right-click the cloud icon by your clock. Click “Quit OneDrive” or “Exit.”
If you cannot find the icon, use Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Task Manager, find OneDrive.exe, and click “End Task”.
Step 2: Clear stored OneDrive passwords
- Click Start and type “Credential Manager.”
- Open Credential Manager.
- Click “Windows Credentials.”
- Delete entries for OneDrive and Microsoft 365.
This removes old or broken sign-in info.
Step 3: Reset OneDrive app
- Press Windows + R.
- Paste this:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
- Press Enter.
- Wait a few minutes for OneDrive to start itself.
- If it does not start, open it from the Start menu.
Step 4: Try to sign in
If you don’t see a login prompt, restart your computer.
Still no luck? Move to reinstalling OneDrive.
Solution 2: Remove and Reinstall OneDrive
Step 1: Uninstall OneDrive
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
- Find Microsoft OneDrive.
- Click “Uninstall” and complete any prompts.
Step 2: Delete leftover files
- Open File Explorer and enter:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\
- Delete the whole OneDrive folder.
Step 3: Download and install the latest OneDrive
- Get the newest installer from Microsoft’s official site.
- Install it following the prompts.
- Open OneDrive and sign in with your Microsoft account.
Solution 3: Check Internet Connection and Security
Step 1: Test your internet
Open a browser and visit onedrive.live.com to check the connection.
Step 2: Turn off antivirus/firewall temporarily
Some security programs might block OneDrive. If signing in works when software is off, add OneDrive to allowed apps.
Step 3: Check with your IT admin (if on work/school network)
Network rules or firewalls can block OneDrive. Your admin may need to allow it.
Solution 4: Fix Account and Login Problems
Gray OneDrive icon?
Click it and follow prompts to sign in.
Forgotten your email or password?
Go to the Microsoft account recovery page.
Reset or recover work/school account
You may need to contact your IT admin if there are issues.
Sign-in window not showing?
- Change your default web browser.
- Set a different browser as default, close all browser windows, and try again.
Solution 5: Avoid Multiple OneDrive Apps
OneDrive installed twice causes issues
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
- Remove all OneDrive entries.
- Download and install just the newest version from Microsoft.
Don’t open both the Microsoft Store and standalone versions
Use only the newly installed OneDrive app.
More Ideas If It Still Doesn’t Work
- Restart your computer after any reset or reinstall.
- Delete old credentials from your browser too.
- Try logging in with a different Microsoft account to see if your account is the issue.
- Visit Microsoft’s service status page—sometimes problems are on their end.
- If issues continue, contact Microsoft for direct help.
OneDrive works well when everything connects correctly. If you take these steps, syncing and file access return. Each action helps stop sign-in errors and gives peace of mind