OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Closes Automatically and Stops Syncing in Windows 11

Tauseeq Magsi Sep 30, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a critical issue where Microsoft OneDrive immediately closes, stops syncing, and disappears from the taskbar, even after multiple reset and repair attempts.

How to Fix OneDrive Closing Automatically and Not Syncing in Windows 11

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Attempting to keep the OneDrive desktop application running and syncing files in the background on Windows 11.
Observed behavior: OneDrive stops syncing, its taskbar icon disappears, and the application shuts down immediately after being launched. Standard fixes like resetting, reinstalling, and repairing Microsoft 365 fail to resolve the problem.

Before you start

Before proceeding with system-level changes, ensure you manually copy any unsynced local files to an external hard drive to prevent permanent data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a New Local User Profile

Creating a new Windows local account helps determine if your current user profile is corrupted, which is a common cause for persistent app crashes.

If standard resets and reinstallations do not work, the issue often lies deeply within the configuration of your current Windows user profile. By testing OneDrive on a fresh local account, you can isolate the problem.

Open Windows Account Settings

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Navigate to 'Accounts' on the left sidebar and select 'Other users'.

Add a New Local Account

Click the 'Add account' button. In the Microsoft sign-in window, click 'I don't have this person's sign-in information', then select 'Add a user without a Microsoft account'.

Set Up Account Details

Enter a username and password for the new local account, complete the security questions, and click 'Next'.

Test OneDrive

Sign out of your current Windows profile, log in with the newly created local account, and launch OneDrive. If it remains open and syncs properly, your original user profile is damaged.

Using Your Email Address: A local Windows account does not require an email address for its creation. Once logged into the local account, you can still sign in to the OneDrive application using your standard Microsoft email and password.

Solution 2

Perform a Safe Clean Boot

A clean boot disables third-party services to check for software conflicts, but you must ensure Microsoft services remain enabled to prevent login lockouts.

Solution 3

Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 11

If the issue persists across new user profiles and clean boots, severe OS corruption is likely, requiring a full reinstallation of Windows.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Reliable Document Management

If OneDrive and Microsoft 365 continue to experience sync failures and unexpected crashes, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, comprehensive office suite that includes built-in cloud storage (WPS Cloud), ensuring your files remain safely synced without relying on Windows OneDrive infrastructure.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for Windows.
2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation prompts to set up the lightweight suite on your PC.
3. Sync with WPS Cloud: Open WPS Office, create or log into your account, and enable WPS Cloud to automatically sync your documents.

Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Built-in WPS Cloud offers a crash-free, reliable alternative to OneDrive syncing.Lightweight application that requires fewer system resources than Microsoft 365.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did a clean boot cause a PIN error and lock me out of Windows 11?

If you fail to check 'Hide all Microsoft services' before clicking 'Disable all' in the System Configuration tool, you will disable critical authentication services. This stops Windows Hello and the Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant from working, resulting in a PIN error on the login screen.

Can I use the same email address for a new local Windows account?

Yes. A local Windows account is created without an email address initially. Once you log in to the new local profile, you can still sign in to individual applications like OneDrive using your existing Microsoft email address without conflicts.

What usually causes OneDrive to close immediately after opening?

This behavior is typically caused by a corrupted Windows user profile, interference from aggressive third-party security software, or severely corrupted OneDrive cache files that cannot be cleared through a standard reset command.

Document & File Issues