OneDrive Error Codes

How to Fix a 404 File Not Found Error in OneDrive

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is trying to resolve a 404 File Not Found error encountered when attempting to access a file, folder, or shared link in OneDrive.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing a OneDrive file via a shared link, bookmark, or directly through the web or desktop client.
Observed behavior: The system displays a '404 File Not Found' error message, preventing access to the requested document or page.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify that you are signed into the correct Microsoft account associated with the missing file.

Solution 1Recommended

Search OneDrive and Check the Recycle Bin

Since the 404 error is most commonly caused by files being moved, renamed, or deleted, searching the drive and recycle bin is the most effective first step.

When a file is accidentally deleted or moved to a different folder, any old links pointing to it will break and return a 404 error. The OneDrive web interface allows you to search globally across all your folders and recover deleted items from the Recycle Bin.

Search for the file name

Log into the OneDrive website, click the search bar at the top of the page, and type the name of the missing file to see if it was moved to another directory.

Open the Recycle Bin

If the search yields no results, click on 'Recycle bin' located in the left-hand navigation pane.

Restore the file

Locate the missing file in the list, click the checkmark circle next to its name, and select 'Restore' from the top menu.

File Recovery Tip: Items in the OneDrive Recycle Bin are kept for 30 days for personal accounts and up to 93 days for work or school accounts before being permanently deleted.

Solution 2

Request a New Shared Link

Use this solution if you are receiving the 404 error when clicking on a link shared by someone else.

Solution 3

Verify Synchronization and Update the OneDrive Client

Fixes 404 errors caused by local desktop files failing to sync properly with the cloud servers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a shared OneDrive link show a 404 File Not Found error?

A shared link will return a 404 error if the file owner deleted or moved the file to a different folder. It can also occur if the link itself was set with an expiration date that has already passed.

Can I recover a file if it is not in the OneDrive Recycle Bin?

If the file is not in your primary Recycle Bin, scroll to the bottom of the Recycle Bin page and check the 'Second-stage recycle bin' (available for work or school accounts). If it is still missing, contact Microsoft OneDrive Support for further assistance.

Does renaming a file in OneDrive cause a 404 error?

Yes. If you or someone else tries to access the file using an old direct link, shortcut, or bookmarked URL that points to the previous file name, OneDrive will not be able to locate it, resulting in a 404 File Not Found error.

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