OneDrive Error Codes

How to Fix OneDrive Error AADSTS70008 (Token Expired)

Khadija Khan Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an authentication error preventing documents from opening on their laptop.

How to Fix OneDrive Error AADSTS70008 Due to Token Expiration

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open documents stored in OneDrive after a period of user inactivity.
Observed behavior: OneDrive displays error AADSTS70008, indicating that the authorization code or refresh token has expired due to inactivity, completely blocking file access.

Before you start

Ensure you have your correct Microsoft account email and password ready, as you will need to re-authenticate and sign back into your OneDrive account during these troubleshooting steps.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink and Relink Your OneDrive Desktop Account

This is the primary method to force OneDrive to generate a fresh authorization token and clear the expired session.

Error AADSTS70008 happens when the OAuth security token used by OneDrive expires after a long period of inactivity. Unlinking your device forces the application to request a brand new token from Microsoft's servers.

Before proceeding, try signing out of OneDrive on your web browser and clearing your browser's cookies and cache.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click on the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon situated in the Windows taskbar notification area, click the 'Help & Settings' gear icon, and select 'Settings'.

Unlink the PC

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

Relink the Account

The OneDrive setup screen will appear automatically. Enter your Microsoft account email address and password to sign back in and generate a new token.

Unlink and Relink Your OneDrive Desktop Account

Data Safety: Unlinking your PC will not delete your local or cloud files. It merely stops the synchronization process until you sign back in.

Solution 2

Delete the OneDrive Configuration File

If standard relinking fails, deleting a specific configuration JSON file forces OneDrive to reset its pre-sign-in environment.

Solution 3

Run the Microsoft Office Activation Reset Tool

Use this official diagnostic tool if the token expiration issue is deeply rooted in Office's shared licensing and activation services.

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Use WPS Office for a Seamless, Free Document Experience

If persistent Microsoft account token errors like AADSTS70008 are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible environment for your documents without strict dependency on complex cloud token authorizations.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and open your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly from your local drive.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Avoid complex authentication token errors with stable local and cloud accessFree, lightweight alternative to Microsoft 365Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly causes the AADSTS70008 error code?

This error occurs when the OAuth2 refresh token used to keep you signed into OneDrive or Microsoft 365 expires, is revoked, or becomes invalid, typically due to a prolonged period of inactivity on the device.

Will I lose my files if I unlink my OneDrive account?

No, unlinking your account only stops the synchronization between your device and the cloud. Your files remain safely stored in your local OneDrive folder and in your online cloud storage.

How do I clear cookies and cache for OneDrive online?

Open your web browser's settings, navigate to the Privacy or History section, and choose to clear browsing data. Select 'Cookies and other site data' and 'Cached images and files', then clear the data and restart your browser before signing back into OneDrive.

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