How to Fix OneDrive Not Running on Windows 11 PC

If you work with OneDrive every day and rely on it to save and access files, any error can be detrimental. If you’ve got an issue with OneDrive not running (Windows 11), then we’ve got some troubleshooters for you to try that’ll hopefully have you back in the cloud and on Cloud Nine.

Fix OneDrive Not Running – Windows 11

OneDrive is a client on your Windows 11 PC by default and is liable to all the problems that software encounters, not to mention those related to connectivity. If you’re dealing with crashes, account troubles, syncing, or uploading errors, here’s how to fix OneDrive not running:

Update Your System

We’re starting simple. A lot of Windows problems can be resolved by fully updating your machine. Head into Settings (Win + I) and “Windows Update” to ensure everything is up to date.

If the problems started after an update, you can also roll back the changes. Click on “Update history” and “Uninstall Updates” to remove the latest updates from your machine.

Clear Your OneDrive Recycle Bin

Some users report that upload errors are resolved when the Recycle Bin is emptied. It’s quick enough to do:

Step 1. In the sidebar of OneDrive, click the Recycle Bin icon.

Step 2. Click “Empty recycle bin” at the top of the page to clear the contents. Confirm the deletion, and try your upload again.

Unlink Your PC

Account issues can often be to blame with OneDrive. Try unlinking your PC from the OneDrive account and adding it again:

Step 1. Open up your OneDrive in the System Tray.

Step 2. Click the Settings icon and navigate to the “Account” tab in the sidebar.

Step 3. Under the avatar, click “Unlink this PC.” If you have multiple accounts, unlink them all.

Step 4. Open up the OneDrive app again via the Search Bar once this is done.

Step 5. Enter your login details and sign in.

Reset OneDrive

If you suspect the OneDrive client may have been corrupted, you can quickly reset it. Here’s how:

Step 1. Open the Run dialog (Win + R) and type “onedrive /reset” before hitting “Enter.”

Step 2. The client will reset. You can open it again from the Start Menu if need be.

Try Your Browser

If the OneDrive client is misbehaving in any way, it might be a good idea to try using a browser, or a different one if you’ve tried already, just to rule out a specific software issue.

Check Your File Name Length

Keep in mind that OneDrive caps file names at 255 characters. In addition, all the regular symbols that Microsoft Windows won’t allow you to name your files (# % & * : < > ?, etc.) apply too. Check your file or folder name length and content before uploading, because it might not tell you why it failed.