Microsoft OneDrive Stopped Working? Easy Steps to Fix It
If you are someone who does not know what to do if the Microsoft OneDrive has stopped working, start by closing and reopening the app. You can also accompany it with the age-old shutdown and restart computer advice. If this does not fix the issue, visit the OneDrive folder using File Explorer.
If you keep an online copy of files, you can copy them and move them to another internal location. This does not fix OneDrive, but lets you retain the data that can be put back in OneDrive if we have to perform an app deletion or other hard reset.
As the app itself becomes non-functional, you can’t use it to copy OneDrive files to another OneDrive account. If you desire access to OneDrive, you can use the web app or mobile app until the issue is resolved. These are just some early, non-intrusive methods to regain some functionality, data access, and soft repair. Moreover, before you begin troubleshooting, check if OneDrive is down globally. Visit Microsoft’s Service Status page to rule out server-side outages.
Next, we discuss how the Task Manager helps us.
Microsoft OneDrive has Stopped Working: Use Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together. You can open Task Manager in other ways too, like the security options list, the search bar, or the Run module. Once you have Task Manager open, scroll to find the OneDrive instance, right-click, and select End Task.
You can also visit the Details tab to view more advanced options that enable you to diagnose the problem more effectively. Task Manager doesn’t outright fix the issue, but it helps you to close down non-responding instances.
Use the Task Manager to make additional diagnoses, such as whether your PC has enough free memory to run the OneDrive App.
Although memory in modern machines is massive, it is not infinite. If you have a ton of apps open in the background, all consuming a huge chunk of the RAM, it’s possible that when you try to open OneDrive, it fails.
If your OneDrive app closes on its own, the Task Manager won’t show it, so you’ll have to use another method to fix the issue.
On Task Manager, you might see the Services tab. Let’s see how this option helps us to fix the problem.
How Services Can Help Fix if Microsoft OneDrive Stopped Working?
If you have closed Task Manager, you can access the Services portal via the Run module:
Step 1. Press Windows + R.
Step 2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
This launches the dedicated Services module, from which you can resolve the Microsoft OneDrive stopped working error. Here you can stop, start, pause, resume, or restart a service. Note that this is not the OneDrive app itself, but rather the modules and repositories that enable it to function.
The services are arranged in alphabetical order. Scroll until you see the OneDrive Updater Service. This service is responsible for checking for any app updates or version releases and installing them automatically.
You can try to change the current status of OneDrive by selecting either Stop > Start, Pause > Resume, or pressing Restart.
All these options are available by right-clicking.
There is also a Properties option, which you can use if you wish to perform more in-depth repairs.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, move on to trying other methods.
Try A Different Mode if You Cannot Open OneDrive via the Default Way
Toggle admin mode if Microsoft OneDrive stopped working and you cannot open OneDrive in the default manner.
Step 1. Click on Start >> Scroll till you see the OneDrive App, right-click >> More >> Run as administrator.
Step 2. A pop-up appears with the text “Do you want this app to make changes to your device?” >>Click on Yes.
Registry Editor to Fix the Microsoft OneDrive Stopped Working Issue
This is perhaps the most critical step, as making any changes can permanently dismantle not just OneDrive but other Microsoft apps on your machine. So, be extra careful. If you still feel that tweaking these settings is not worth the potential breakdown, you can simply ignore this troubleshooting method and move on to another method in this list.
Those who still wish to attempt it can follow these steps:
Step 1. Press Windows + R >> Type regedit and press Enter >> This may trigger a UAC alert; accept it.
Step 2. On the main Registry Editor page, navigate to:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OneDrive
Here, you can make changes to the following values:
- Startup: HKLM\Run: Edit/Delete the “OneDrive” module entirely.
- Sync: HKCU\OneDrive: Set sync flags to 0 to disable sync.
- Cache: HKCU\OneDrive\Accounts: Delete all subkeys to make it a hollow shell.
Get Help to Repair Microsoft OneDrive Stopped Working Error
The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant app has been decommissioned, and its functionality has been transferred to a built-in app called the Get Help app for Windows machines.
So if you still have an old SaRA on your PC, you can uninstall it. To use the Get Help feature, Press the Windows Key and Type Get Help in the Search bar, then open the first result from the list.
Inside the new window, you will see the text “We’re here to help” and a search box below that. Type your problem, press Enter, and follow the official instructions.
This is essentially a search engine that limits the results to Microsoft website responses, so if you are unable to get the correct response, try other methods.
Toggle Settings in the OneDrive App that Stops Working
In case your OneDrive app opens, you can use the internal settings options to repair the damage:
- Open the OneDrive app (not the folder) via the Windows taskbar.
- Click on the cog icon at the top right.
- Open Settings.
Here, you have the following options:
- Start/stop sync.
- Toggle notifications.
- Unlink and relink your PC.
- Set the upload/download limits.
- Alter privacy settings.
- Remove and add your account again.
If none of this works, uninstall and reinstall the OneDrive application.
It could be that your current OneDrive version has exceeded its limit. The free version only allows 5 GB. If your budget allows it, you can subscribe to the premium edition, which offers more storage and may allow OneDrive to function again.
Use the Run Module for OneDrive Repairs
Step 1. Press 
and R to launch the Run dialog box. >> In the Open tab, type
wsreset.exe
Step 2. Press Enter
This launches a blank command prompt window, which closes on its own within a few seconds. Another unintended side-effect of this command is that a Microsoft Store instance opens on your computer. No need to worry, you won’t have to install anything close to the store and check if Microsoft OneDrive stopped working.
If you still can’t open OneDrive, then proceed with the next repair method, which is also done via the run module.
Step 3. So press and R key. Then copy and paste the following command into the search bar.
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Step 4. Press Enter or Click OK.
Step 5. In case the command does not work and you see a “Windows cannot find…” message, then use an alternative command.
C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Step 6. If this does not work and you get a “Windows cannot find…” message, use the following.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Step 7. You should see that the OneDrive folder launches in the File Explorer, and a Windows alert message that OneDrive is resetting appears.
Wait for the process to complete and then manually restart the OneDrive application via the default cursor method.
What to Do if the OneDrive App is Not Opening on Mobile?
If you have already restarted your phone and the OneDrive app won’t open, perform these steps on an Android mobile:
Step 1. Go to Settings >> Tap Apps >> Manage Apps.
Step 2. Find and open OneDrive options >> Force Stop(only if the app is open), then Clear cache and Data.
Step 3. Once done, uninstall OneDrive >> Open Google Play and reinstall >> Complete account setup.
iPhone Users have to perform a similar uninstall and reinstall process:
Step 1. Press and hold the OneDrive app icon >> Tap the ‘X’ in the corner >> Accept the confirmation message to delete it.
Step 2. Then, do a “soft reset” by pressing and holding both the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons together for at least 10 seconds.
Step 3. You can let go of the buttons as soon as you see the Apple logo on the screen >> Once your iPhone is on, reinstall the OneDrive app from the App Store.
Mac users may want to know how to hide OneDrive from the Mac OS menu bar if they choose to adopt a different cloud storage service.
What to Do If OneDrive Stops Working Organization-Wide?
Such a situation shouldn’t be taken lightly. Admin should begin by checking the OneDrive usage report. If an organization faces this type of app outage, it’s better to shift to a different platform. The SysTools OneDrive Migration Tool is your go-to solution for that. It can not only migrate OneDrive for Business to Another Tenant, but its simplistic GUI allows admins to pull data out of the faulty OneDrive app and deposit it into Google Drive as well.
You can also use a sister application to back up OneDrive data to a different local folder. In this way, you can download all data from OneDrive accounts and keep it safe until the issue resolves.
Admins can use these applications to manage the data transfer of all users organization-wide from a single command-and-control workstation.
Best Practices to Follow When OneDrive Stops Working
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we provided users with ample options to fix the OneDrive “stopped working” error. From a simple restart to the registry settings, we covered every possible way to regain OneDrive functionality.
However, if such downtimes increase in frequency, OneDrive is no longer a reliable storage option. That’s why we also provided users with tools to back up the files externally or migrate out of the M365 environment entirely. Organizations whose users face such issues can use any one of the external solutions as an alternative to fixing the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why has my Microsoft OneDrive stopped working?
Users who face this issue report the following: check if it’s true for your case:
- OneDrive Storage nearing max limit. This is mainly the case for free-tier users, as they only get 5 GB of storage, which fills rather quickly.
- Too many apps are running alongside OneDrive. Your PC RAM is not infinite; even high-end machines may face these problems if proper precautions are not in place.
- Another app conflicts with OneDrive.
- Your M365 credentials have been updated somewhere else, and OneDrive has been logged out. Also, Microsoft periodically logs you out of your OneDrive app as a safety precaution. So, enter your correct credentials the app should start working.
Q. How do I get OneDrive to work again?
You can start by closing and reopening the app. If this doesn’t work, then move on to more complex methods like resetting the application.
Q. What does “Microsoft OneDrive has stopped” mean?
It means some internal issue has caused the OneDrive application to malfunction. If this happens, you won’t be able to open or interact with the items present in your OneDrive account from your PC.
Q. How do I repair my OneDrive app?
Repairing of OneDrive app from Control Panel or Windows settings is not possible, but can be done using the following commands:
- wsreset.exe
- C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Note: if you have installed OneDrive in a different location, then change the commands accordingly.
Q. Is OneDrive having issues today?
To see if it’s just you or if OneDrive has stopped working for everyone, you can go and check Microsoft’s Service Status page. Follow https://x.com/MSFT365Status page on Twitter (now X) or visit online community reporting centers like DownDetector.
If you are in an organization, you may ask your colleague if their app is still functional. If so, ask the admin to give your OneDrive access to another user and get the required files over email or any other method. Then, carry out the recovery methods as shown here.
Q. How long does it take for Microsoft OneDrive to recover?
If you follow the guidelines that are mentioned in this blog, it shouldn’t take much time. A simple refresh that takes just a few seconds to complete, in comparison to the most length method, i.e., the OneDrive app reinstallation, shouldn’t take more than 7-8 mins.
Please note that your device and internet speed have a greater impact on the total recovery time than whatever instruction set you choose to follow.