OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Repeated Sign-Out and Synchronization Problems

Khadija Khan Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to fix an issue where the OneDrive desktop client repeatedly signs out, preventing files from successfully synchronizing to the cloud.

How to Fix OneDrive Repeated Sign-Out and Synchronization Problems

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to sync local files to OneDrive but the synchronization is interrupted by continuous, unexpected account sign-outs.
Observed behavior: The OneDrive client frequently signs the user out and stops file synchronization.

Before you start

Before resetting or reinstalling the OneDrive client, ensure you back up any local files in your OneDrive folder that have not yet synchronized to prevent data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Completely Reinstall and Reconfigure OneDrive

Unlinking your account, clearing local cache folders, and installing a fresh version of OneDrive is the most effective way to resolve persistent sign-out loops.

If a standard reset does not resolve the synchronization issues, you may need to completely remove the current configuration and reinstall the client to restore proper functionality.

Unlink your OneDrive account

Select the OneDrive icon in your system tray, go to Help & Settings > Settings > Account, click 'Unlink this PC', and then completely quit the OneDrive application.

Uninstall the OneDrive client

Open the Windows Control Panel, navigate to Programs and Features, locate Microsoft OneDrive, and select Uninstall.

Move the local data folder

Open File Explorer, go to C:\Users\[your_profile_name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft, and move the 'OneDrive' folder to your desktop as a backup.

Reinstall and select a new folder

Restart Windows, download the latest production version of OneDrive from the official release notes page, install it, sign in, and choose a new local folder location for your synchronized files.

Completely Reinstall and Reconfigure OneDrive

AppData Folder Visibility: The AppData folder is hidden by default in Windows. You may need to enable 'Hidden items' in the File Explorer View tab to access it.

Solution 2

Reset the OneDrive Sync Client

Resetting the client clears corrupt cache files that often cause synchronization blocks and sign-out issues without deleting your data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling OneDrive delete my locally saved files?

No, uninstalling the OneDrive client or unlinking your account will not delete the files stored on your hard drive. However, to be safe, it is highly recommended to back up any files that have a 'sync pending' status before uninstalling.

Why does OneDrive keep signing me out automatically?

Repeated sign-outs are typically caused by corrupted cached credentials, outdated versions of the OneDrive client, or conflicts within the Windows Credential Manager. Clearing the cache or reinstalling usually resolves this.

How do I know which files haven't synchronized yet?

Open your local OneDrive folder and look at the status icons next to your files. Files with a red 'X', a blue circular arrow (sync pending), or no icon at all have not been successfully uploaded to the cloud and should be backed up manually.

Document & File Issues