OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Cannot Add Folder Error on Windows ARM Devices

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where OneDrive fails to create the sync folder and sign in on a Microsoft Entra ID-joined device, displaying a specific error message instead.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows ARM (HP EliteBook Ultra G1q)
Scenario: Attempting to sign in and set up the OneDrive sync folder on a new Windows ARM laptop managed by Microsoft Entra ID.
Observed behavior: OneDrive displays the error message 'Sorry, OneDrive cannot add your folder right now.' The folder is created at the target path but remains empty, and the application refuses to sign in. Standard fixes like reinstalling, resetting, and checking permissions do not work.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows ARM device is fully updated to the latest OS version and verify that you have an active network connection capable of reaching Microsoft's authentication servers.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Microsoft 365 Administrator Account Setup

Ensure Microsoft 365 is installed and run from a Windows administrator account to allow seamless automatic background sign-in.

In some configurations, especially on ARM devices managed by an organization, Office components rely on the main system account for authentication. Installing or running it from a standard user profile may cause sign-in barriers.

Log in as Administrator

Check Microsoft 365 Installation

Verify that the Microsoft 365 suite was installed while logged into this administrator account.

Restart and Auto-Sign In

Restart the device. Allow Windows to boot completely; Microsoft 365 and OneDrive may now sign in automatically when Windows starts without requiring a separate manual sign-in prompt.

Automatic Authentication: When properly configured under an administrator account, there is not necessarily a separate sign-in for each Office component.

Solution 2

Investigate Entra ID Configuration and MDM Policies

If standard resets do not work, the issue likely stems from organization-level device management policies interacting with the ARM architecture.

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Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package for Windows.
2. Install the Application: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Save to WPS Cloud: Open any document and use the built-in WPS Cloud feature to securely sync your files across devices without relying on third-party cloud drives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive say it cannot add a folder on my Windows ARM device?

This error often occurs on Microsoft Entra ID-joined ARM devices due to organizational policy restrictions, compatibility issues with conditional access, or improper administrator account setups during the Microsoft 365 installation.

Does unlinking and reinstalling OneDrive fix the 'cannot add folder' error?

Typically, standard troubleshooting steps like unlinking the PC, resetting the app, or reinstalling OneDrive do not resolve this specific issue on Entra ID-managed ARM devices. It usually requires adjusting administrative account privileges or MDM policies.

Can I manually create the OneDrive folder to bypass the error?

While you can manually create the folder at the configured path, OneDrive will likely still fail to authenticate, leaving the folder empty until the underlying Entra ID policy or administrator account issue is resolved.

Document & File Issues