OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Upload Errors: Something Went Wrong or Sign-In Failed

Rana Garcia Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing upload failures or sign-in errors when attempting to upload files or folders to a shared location in OneDrive.

How to Fix OneDrive Upload Errors: Something Went Wrong or Sign-In Failed

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Uploading files or folders to a shared OneDrive location.
Observed behavior: OneDrive displays error messages such as "Something went wrong" or "Sign-in is not working right now" during the upload process.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify whether you are using a personal or business Microsoft account, as troubleshooting steps may vary slightly depending on the account type.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink and Relink Your OneDrive Account

Re-authenticating your account can often clear sign-in glitches and resume stalled uploads to shared locations.

This process will not delete your files. It simply removes the connection between your computer and your account temporarily.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac), click the gear icon, and select Settings.

Unlink this PC

Navigate to the Account tab and click on the 'Unlink this PC' link. Confirm the action when prompted.

Sign In Again

Once the OneDrive setup screen appears, enter your Microsoft account credentials to sign back in, choose your preferred sync folders, and try the upload again.

Sync Status: After relinking, OneDrive will check for changes. Wait a few moments for the sync status to update before uploading large files.

Solution 2

Test on a Different Network Connection

Network restrictions, unstable Wi-Fi, or firewall settings can prevent OneDrive from successfully communicating with Microsoft servers.

Solution 3

Reset the OneDrive Application

Resetting OneDrive forces the application to rebuild its sync state, which resolves persistent 'Something went wrong' errors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive say 'Sign-in is not working right now'?

This error typically occurs due to temporary Microsoft server outages, cached credential conflicts within the Windows operating system, or an unstable internet connection blocking authentication.

Can I upload files to a shared OneDrive folder if I don't have a Microsoft account?

If the folder owner shared the directory with the 'Anyone with the link can edit' permission, you can upload files via the web interface without signing in. However, if specific permissions were set, a Microsoft account is required.

How do I know if my OneDrive upload error is caused by my network?

You can easily isolate network issues by connecting your computer to a completely different network, such as your phone's mobile hotspot. If the file uploads successfully on the new connection, your primary network likely has strict firewalls or routing issues blocking OneDrive.

Does file size affect OneDrive upload reliability?

Yes. While OneDrive supports large files, attempting to upload extremely large folders or files over an unstable network can cause timeouts, resulting in 'Something went wrong' errors. Try uploading files in smaller batches.

Document & File Issues