What is ‘OneDrive unable to connect’ issue in Windows 10?
If you are facing ‘OneDrive unable to connect Windows 10’ or ‘OneDrive cannot connect to Windows’ error in Windows 10 computer while trying to access files stored on OneDrive Folder, then you are in right place for the solution. Here, you will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.
‘OneDrive’: Microsoft OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) is file hosting service and synchronization service operated by Microsoft as part of web version of Office. This service allows you to store files and personal data like Windows Settings, or Bitlocker recovery keys in cloud, share files, and sync files across Android, Windows Phone, iOS, Microsoft Windows OS & MacOS based computer, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S. OneDrive offers 5GB of storage space free of charge.
However, several users reported that they faced ‘OneDrive cannot connect to Windows’ error or ‘OneDrive unable to connect Windows 10’ issue while trying to access files/folders stored in OneDrive folder in Windows 10 computer. This issue indicates that Files On-Demand requires a connection to Windows if you want to access your OneDrive’s files/folders without taking up space on the device and also explained that OneDrive is unable to connect to Windows and you won’t be able to use online-only files until the problem is resolved. Let’s take a look at error message.
“OneDrive cannot connect to Windows. Files On-Demand requires a connection to Windows in order to show your files without taking up space on this device. OneDrive can keep trying to connect to Windows or you can choose to download all your files. You won’t be able to use online-only files until this is fixed”
There could be several reasons behind this OneDrive error including outdated Windows OS, issue with internet/network connection, outdated version of OneDrive App, error occurred in connection between Microsoft and Operating System, and other reasons. In such case, you can try to fix the issue by updating Windows operating System to latest available build and update OneDrive App as well.
Sometimes, this error can be occurred due to temporary glitch in your OneDrive account. You can just sign-out from OneDrive account and then sign-in again in order to fix temporary glitch. Also, you can restart your computer in order to resolve temporary glitch in your Windows computer if any. After restart, check if you can access files/folders stored in OneDrive folder without any issue. If not, you can follow our instructions to resolve the problem. Let’s go for the solution.
How to fix OneDrive unable to connect Windows 10?
Method 1: Fix ‘OneDrive cannot connect to Windows’ error with ‘PC Repair Tool’
‘PC Repair Tool’ is easy & quick way to find and fix BSOD errors, DLL errors, EXE errors, problems with programs/applications, malware or viruses issues, system files or registry issues, and other system issues with just few clicks. You can get this tool through button/link below.
Method 2: Run Network Troubleshooter
Windows 10 built-in ‘Network Troubleshooter’ troubleshooter can find and fix Network related issue if any.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + I’ keys on keyboard to open ‘Settings’ App in Windows 10
Step 2: Go to ‘Network & Internet > Status’ and click on ‘Network Troubleshooter’ in right pane
Step 3: Follow on-screen instructions to finish troubleshooting and once done, please check if the error is resolved.
Method 3: Check your internet connection
This issue can be occurred due to issue with your internet connection. You can fix instability of your internet connection by removing connected devices to same network if multiple devices are connected, remove distraction that is causing slow bandwidth of internet and place your router/networking equipment near to your computer in order to receive higher bandwidth. You can also restart/reset your router in order to fix network related issue. Once done, check if it works for you.
Method 4: Restart OneDrive App in Windows 10
Sometimes, this error can be occurred due to temporary glitch in OneDrive App and you can fix the issue just by restarting your OneDrive App.
Step 1: At first, Click ‘OneDrive’ button at lower right corner of desktop and click ‘More’ and select ‘Close OneDrive’
Step 2: Now, type ‘OneDrive’ in Windows Search Box and open it from results appear and check if it works for you.
Method 5: Update OneDrive App in Windows 10
Updating OneDrive App to latest available version can resolve the issue. Let’s try.
Step 1: Open your browser and go to OneDrive official website and download the latest version of OneDrive Client for Windows 10 in your computer
Step 2: Once downloaded, double-click on downloaded OneDrive setup file and follow on-screen instructions to finish installation. Once installed, re-launch OneDrive App and check if it works for you.
Method 6: Disable Antivirus/Firewall temporarily
Sometimes, this error can be occurred due to interference of your antivirus/firewall program installed in computer. You can disable antivirus/firewall temporarily in order to resolve the issue.
Disable Windows Defender antivirus:
Step 1: Open ‘Settings’ App and go to ‘Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings’
Step 2: Find and disable ‘Real-Time Protection’ option to disable antivirus
Disable Windows Firewall:
Step 1: Go to ‘Settings App > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection > Private Network’
Step 2: Disable ‘Windows Defender Firewall’ option and then check if the error is resolved.
Method 7: Disable Proxy Server settings in Windows 10
OneDrive doesn’t support Proxy authentication. If Proxy server is enabled in your device, then you can disable it in order to fix OneDrive error.
Step 1: Open ‘Settings’ App in Windows 10 and go to ‘Network & Internet > Proxy’
Step 2: In right pane, under ‘Automatically proxy setup’ section, turn ON ‘Automatically detect settings’ and turn OFF ‘Use Setup Script’ option
Step 3: Under ‘Manual proxy setup’ section, turn OFF ‘Use a proxy server’ option. Once done, retry accessing files stored in OneDrive folder and check if it works for you.
Method 8: Perform OneDrive App Reset
One possible way to fix the issue is to perform OneDrive App reset in Windows 10. Let’s try.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + X’ keys on keyboard and select ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
Step 2: Type the following command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Step 3: Once done, restart OneDrive App and check if you are able to connect OneDrive to Windows without any issue.
Method 9: Update Windows 10 OS
Updating Windows 10 OS to latest available version can resolve any issue in Windows computer.
Step 1: Open ‘Settings’ App in Windows 10 and go to ‘Update & Security > Windows Update’ and click on ‘Check for updates’ button
Step 2: Download and install the available update and wait to finish. Once done, restart your computer to see the changes and check if the error is resolved.
Method 10: Unlink OneDrive account
This problem can be occurred if Files On-Demand feature activated but Synchronization location set to USB drive or external hard drive/SSD which is not fully supported by OneDrive. You can fix the issue by unlinking the computer from OneDrive and then re-add the account again.
Step 1: Click on ‘OneDrive’ icon at taskbar or in System Tray and select ‘More > Settings’
Step 2: Now, click on ‘Account’ tab and click ‘Unlink this PC’ link to remove the current account and click ‘Unlink account’ to confirm the operation
Step 3: Once done, restart your computer to clear any temp data and after restart, open OneDrive App again and login into OneDrive account and check if the error is resolved.
Method 11: Perform TCP/IP reset in Windows 10
Network inconsistencies like bad gateway or dynamic IP changing too often will trigger OneDrive error. You can perform TCP/IP reset in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’ using ‘Method 8’ and type the following commands one-by-one and hit ‘Enter’ key after each to execute
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
Step 2: Once executed, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
Method 12: Apply certain changes in Internet Properties
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘inetcpl.cpl’ in the opened ‘Run’ window and hit ‘Ok’ button to open ‘Internet Properties’
Step 2: In the open window, click on ‘Advanced’ tab, check ‘Use TLS 1.0’, ‘Use TLS 1.1’ and ‘Use TLS 1.2’ checkboxes if not checked and hit ‘Apply’ button
Step 3: Now, click on ‘Connections’ tab and click on ‘LAN Settings’, check ‘Automatically detect settings’ checkbox and deselect ‘use a proxy server for your LAN’ option and hit ‘OK’
Step 4: Finally, click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ button to save the changes and restart your computer, and check if the error is resolved.
Method 13: Attach Sync Folder
Step 1: Open ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’ using ‘Method 8’
Step 2: Type the following command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute
reg query “HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Data” /v 41960B29A3BC0C75
Step 3: If the output is not showing ‘REG_BINARY 0100000001000000’, then proceed to next step.
Step 4: Type the following command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute
Fltmc attach cldflt c:
Step 5: Once done, restart your computer to see the changes and check if the error is resolved.
Conclusion
I am sure this post helped you on How to fix OneDrive unable to connect Windows 10 with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.
