OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Folders Showing a Red Circle with White Cross

Bushra Parveen Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a synchronization error where OneDrive folders display a red circle with a white cross, causing Office documents to open as read-only.

How to Fix OneDrive Folders Showing a Red Circle with White Cross

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to sync work files via the OneDrive desktop application, but folders show error icons and files become restricted.
Observed behavior: Folders show a red circle with a white cross. While files can still be opened, Office files launch in read-only mode. Resetting and reinstalling the OneDrive application does not resolve the issue.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows computer, and pause your current OneDrive sync to prevent any further file conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a New Local Administrator Account

Creating a fresh Windows user profile helps determine if the sync failure is caused by a corrupted Windows profile rather than the OneDrive application itself.

When resetting or reinstalling OneDrive fails to clear the red cross icon, the underlying cause is often a corrupted Windows user profile that blocks the sync state. Testing OneDrive in a completely new local administrator account will isolate the problem.

Access Account Settings

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Navigate to 'Accounts' and select 'Family & other users' from the left pane.

Add a New User

Click on 'Add someone else to this PC'. When prompted, select 'I don't have this person's sign-in information', then choose 'Add a user without a Microsoft account'.

Set Administrator Privileges

Enter a new username and password. Once created, click on the new profile, select 'Change account type', and change it from 'Standard User' to 'Administrator'.

Test OneDrive Sync

Log out of your current account, sign into the newly created administrator account, and set up OneDrive to see if the folders sync properly without the red cross icon.

Create a New Local Administrator Account

Identifying the Root Cause: If OneDrive successfully syncs in the new account, it confirms that your original Windows profile is corrupted and causing the issue.

Solution 2

Migrate Personal Data to the New Profile

Transfer your personal files from the corrupted Windows profile to the new functioning account to continue using your computer without sync errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Your Read-Only Files Seamlessly with WPS Office

If OneDrive sync issues are forcing your Microsoft Office files into read-only mode, switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, reliable environment to edit your local files without cloud-related interruptions.

1. Download and Install WPS: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package and complete the quick setup on your PC.
2. Open Your Affected Files: Right-click the read-only file in your OneDrive folder, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office from the list.
3. Edit and Save Locally: Make your necessary document edits smoothly and use 'Save As' to store the file in a local directory unaffected by the sync error.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Bypass read-only restrictions caused by cloud synchronization errors.Lightweight installation and a familiar interface for a seamless transition.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the red circle with a white cross mean on OneDrive folders?

This icon indicates that a file or folder is in an unsynchronizable state. This typically happens due to connection problems, file conflicts, insufficient cloud storage space, or a corrupted Windows user profile.

Why do my Office files open as read-only when this error occurs?

When OneDrive fails to sync successfully, it often locks associated Office files to prevent version conflicts or data loss. This forces the desktop applications to open the documents in read-only mode until the synchronization error is resolved.

Can I fix the red cross error without creating a new Windows account?

Before creating a new account, you can try unlinking your PC from OneDrive via the account settings, clearing the OneDrive cache, and ensuring you have adequate storage. However, if reinstalling and resetting OneDrive completely fails, a new user profile is usually required to bypass system corruption.

Document & File Issues