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How to Fix OneDrive Uploads Stopping at 5GB Despite 1TB Storage
Question details
The user is unable to upload files beyond approximately 5 GB to their personal OneDrive account, despite having an active 1 TB storage plan.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Uploading large files or large volumes of data to personal OneDrive cloud storage.
- Observed behavior
- The upload process stalls or completely stops when the data transferred reaches around 5 GB, completely ignoring the available 1 TB capacity.
Verify your current OneDrive storage quota online to confirm your 1 TB plan is active, and ensure you are not trying to upload a single file larger than OneDrive's individual file size limit (250 GB).
Check Network Settings and Reset OneDrive
Resolve temporary network restrictions or corrupted OneDrive cache that might be throttling your uploads.
Network proxies, VPNs, or internal cache corruption can cause OneDrive to misreport storage quotas or artificially halt file transfers. Resetting the app clears the cache and restarts the background syncing processes.
Switch to a different stable network connection or test using a mobile hotspot to rule out ISP-level throttling.
Temporarily disable any proxy servers or VPNs running on your computer through the Windows Network & Internet settings.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter. If you see a 'Windows cannot find...' message, try %programfiles(x86)%\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset instead.
Open the Start menu, search for OneDrive, and launch the application to restart the sync process.
Uninstall and Reinstall the OneDrive Client
A fresh installation can fix persistent bugs in the OneDrive client causing false upload limits.
Check Windows Group Policy and Registry Restrictions
Advanced network or bandwidth limits might be enforced at the system level via Group Policy or Registry keys.
Edit Your Cloud Files Seamlessly with WPS Office
While troubleshooting Microsoft OneDrive sync limits, you can rely on WPS Office as a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office. It integrates seamlessly with multiple cloud drives, allowing you to edit documents without being restricted by complex sync client bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum file size limit for a single upload on OneDrive?
OneDrive allows you to upload individual files up to 250 GB in size, provided you have sufficient storage space in your account and are using the latest version of the desktop client or web app.
Why does my OneDrive say storage is full when I have 1 TB?
This can happen if you are accidentally logged into a free basic account (which only has 5 GB) instead of your premium Microsoft 365 account, or if there is a synchronization glitch. Verify your account login status and reset the OneDrive app to force a quota refresh.
Does built-in bandwidth throttling affect OneDrive uploads?
Yes. OneDrive has built-in settings to limit upload and download rates. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, click the gear icon to go to Settings > Sync and backup > Advanced settings, and ensure 'Limit upload rate' is turned off.
Can I use OneDrive files directly within WPS Office?
Yes, you can easily open and save documents directly to your local OneDrive sync folder using WPS Office. Any changes you make will be backed up to the cloud automatically by the OneDrive client.
