How to Fix OneDrive Error 15 or Throttle.htm#1033 (Account & Tenant Issues)
Question details
Users are encountering Error 15 or a Throttle.htm#1033 message when trying to access or download files from their work or school OneDrive accounts.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to access, sync, or download files stored in a business or educational Microsoft 365 OneDrive account.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive blocks access to the files, displaying an Error 15 code or pointing to a Throttle.htm#1033 page, typically because the account is throttled, disabled, or the organization's tenant is no longer active.
Before troubleshooting, verify whether your Microsoft 365 work or school account is still active and gather the contact information for your organization's IT administrator.
Contact the Microsoft 365 Tenant Administrator
The most direct way to regain access to a disabled or throttled tenant account is through the organization's IT administrator.
Business and school OneDrive accounts are managed entirely by the organization's Microsoft 365 tenant. Microsoft cannot release business data without tenant authorization, so the administrator must restore access or lift throttling limits.
Locate the contact information for your school or company's IT helpdesk or the specific person who provided your Microsoft 365 account credentials.
Ask the administrator to verify if your account has been disabled, throttled by SharePoint Online, or if the organization's Microsoft 365 subscription has expired.
If the administrator grants you temporary access to the tenant, immediately download all your important files to your local hard drive.
Submit a Microsoft 365 Support Request
If the organization has closed or the administrator is completely unavailable, you can try escalating the issue directly to Microsoft Support.
Address SharePoint Online Throttling
If your organization is still active but you receive the Throttle.htm#1033 error, your request rate might be exceeding SharePoint Online limits.
Manage Your Documents Offline with WPS Office
Relying entirely on enterprise cloud accounts can lead to sudden data loss if an organization closes or your account is throttled. Protect your files by keeping local copies and managing them with WPS Office, a powerful, free, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website to your computer or mobile device.
- 2. Open Local Documents: Open your locally backed-up Office documents directly without relying on an active Microsoft 365 tenant connection.
- 3. Save Safely: Save your files on your personal local drive or link a personal cloud storage provider over which you have full control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I suddenly getting OneDrive Error 15?
Error 15 indicates that your access to the Microsoft 365 tenant or SharePoint Online environment is blocked. This commonly happens if your work or school account is disabled, the organization's subscription has ended, or the tenant has been permanently deleted.
What does Throttle.htm#1033 mean in OneDrive?
The Throttle.htm#1033 error means your account has hit SharePoint Online's throttling limits. This occurs when too many server requests are made in a short period, prompting Microsoft to temporarily limit your connection to protect service performance.
Can Microsoft recover my files if my company or school closed?
Usually, Microsoft cannot release data associated with a business or school tenant without the IT administrator's authorization. If the organization has permanently closed, data recovery is highly unlikely unless you can provide legal proof of ownership to Microsoft Support.
How can I prevent losing my OneDrive files in the future?
Always maintain a local backup of critical files or sync them to a personal cloud storage account. This is especially important if you are using an account provided by an employer, school, or a third-party online seller, as you do not have ultimate control over the tenant's lifespan.
