Onedrive Not Running on Windows 10: Quick Solutions and Tips

Why OneDrive Is Not Running on Windows 10

OneDrive, one of today's most popular cloud storage solutions with a vast user base, is undeniably a top choice for cloud storage. However, even such a widely used service can encounter issues, and many users have reported problems with OneDrive not running on Windows 10.

When OneDrive fails to run on Windows 10, users are understandably frustrated, since they cannot access files directly from the OneDrive folder on their computer. It can make managing files through OneDrive quite challenging. So, what could be causing OneDrive to not run on Windows 10?

• Latest Fall Creators Update on Windows 10: Sometimes, new updates can cause compatibility issues or conflicts with existing software.
• Outdated OneDrive Version: An outdated version of OneDrive might be incompatible with the current system or features.
• Insufficient Local Storage Space: If there is not enough space on your local drive, OneDrive may struggle to function properly.
• Interference from Firewall or Antivirus Software: Security software may block OneDrive’s operations or connectivity.
• Limited Upload or Download Bandwidth: Restricted bandwidth can affect OneDrive’s ability to sync files properly.
• Files Stuck in Sync: Issues with syncing files can prevent OneDrive from running as expected.
• Online File Issues: Problems with files stored online can impact OneDrive's performance.
• Improper Linkage Between OneDrive and Windows 10:  Incorrect settings or configurations can disrupt OneDrive’s functionality.

Methods to Fix OneDrive Not Running on Windows 10

Here are the methods, steps, and considerations for fixing OneDrive not running on Windows 10:

Method 1. Restart Your Computer

Sometimes, OneDrive may not run due to internal issues with Windows 10. Restarting your computer can resolve this problem. If OneDrive isn’t running, try shutting down your computer and restarting it to see if OneDrive works after the reboot.

Method 2. Restart OneDrive

OneDrive, like Windows 10, may also get stuck. Exiting and then logging back into OneDrive can resolve the issue.

1. Click on the OneDrive desktop icon.

2. Click on Help & Settings.

3. Click on Close OneDrive.

After the OneDrive icon disappears from the taskbar, log back into OneDrive to check if it starts running.

Method 3. Update Windows 10 and OneDrive

If you haven’t updated Windows 10 or OneDrive to their latest versions, you might encounter issues. Check for updates and install them if available.

Update Windows 10:

1. Right-click on the Windows icon.  

2. Click on Settings.  

3. Click on Update & Security.  

4. Check for updates in Windows Update and install any available updates.

Update OneDrive:

1. Click on the OneDrive desktop icon.   

2. Click on Help & Settings, then Settings. 

3. Under the About tab, find the version link for Microsoft OneDrive. 

4. On the OneDrive release notes page, check if you have the latest version. If not, download the latest version, uninstall the current OneDrive, and install the new version.

After updating Windows and OneDrive, restart your computer and check if OneDrive runs on Windows 10.

Method 4: Re-link OneDrive to Windows 10

Disconnecting and reconnecting OneDrive can resolve issues with it not running on Windows 10.

1. Click on the OneDrive desktop icon.

2. Click on Help & Settings.

3. Click on Settings, then in the Account tab, click Unlink this PC, and confirm to unlink OneDrive from your computer.

After unlinking, follow the prompts to reconnect OneDrive and check if it runs.

Method 5: Temporarily Disable Windows Firewall, Proxy Settings, and Antivirus Software

Firewall, proxy settings, or antivirus software on Windows 10 may interfere with OneDrive. Temporarily disabling them can help.

Disable Firewall:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window, type "control", and click on Windows Defender Firewall.  

2. Check if the firewall is turned on; if so, turn it off temporarily.

Disable Antivirus Software: Temporarily turn off any installed antivirus software.

Disable Proxy Settings:

1. Open Windows Settings, click on Network & Internet.  

2. Go to Proxy and temporarily disable automatic and manual proxy settings. Also, temporarily disable VPN if in use.

After disabling the firewall, proxy settings, and antivirus software, restart your computer and check if OneDrive runs.

Method 6: Adjust Registry Editor Settings

If OneDrive is disabled in the Registry Editor, it won’t run on Windows 10. Check if OneDrive is disabled and adjust the settings if necessary.

1. Right-click the Windows Start menu and select Run.

2. Type "regedit" and press Enter.

3. Navigate to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive

4. Double-click "DisableFileSyncNGSC".

5. Set the Value Data field to "0" and click OK.

Close the Registry Editor and restart Windows. If "DisableFileSyncNGSC" isn’t found, no changes are needed.

Method 7: Use Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor may also block OneDrive. Set the policy to Not Configured or Disabled to allow OneDrive to run.

1. Type "group policy" in the Windows search box and open Group Policy Editor.

2. Under Computer Configuration, click on Administrative Templates.

3. Click on Windows Components.

4. Find OneDrive and double-click on Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.

5. Set it to Not Configured and click OK.

Close the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer to see if OneDrive runs.

Method 8: Use Troubleshooter

For Windows 10 version 2004 and above, Microsoft recommends using the troubleshooter to resolve OneDrive issues.

1. Click on the Windows Start icon, go to Settings, and then Update & Security.

2. Click on Troubleshoot, then View History.

3. If the troubleshooter has run, you’ll see a recommended troubleshooter titled Files on Demand Troubleshooter that might resolve access issues. Important: Restart your device after running the troubleshooter.

4. If successful, you’ll see "Successfully running on date," otherwise, "Could not be run on date."

After a successful run, restart your computer and check if OneDrive works.

Method 9: Reset OneDrive

Resetting the OneDrive application can fix issues where OneDrive is not running on Windows 10.

1. Open the Run window with Windows + R, then enter the following command to reset OneDrive:     

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

2. After clicking OK, OneDrive will disappear from your computer. Enter the following restart command in the Run window or manually restart the OneDrive application.

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe

Check again if OneDrive runs on Windows 10 after completing these steps.

Method 10: Reinstall OneDrive

Uninstall OneDrive, then download and install the latest version from the OneDrive website. Check if OneDrive works on Windows 10 after reinstalling.

Conclusion

This tutorial explains why the OneDrive is not running on Windows, listing possible causes, as well as brings 10 effective solutions. You can check them one by one until the OneDrive can run normally on Windows. To easily access and manage OneDrive files in your Windows computer when you have multiple OneDrive accounts or have the need to transfer files across those different accounts, you can rely on MultCloud.

Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services. For instance, it allows for seamless file transfers from cloud drives like Google Drive to OneDrive without the need to download and then re-upload files. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.