OneDrive Error Codes

How to Fix OneDrive Favorites Returning a 404 Error After Name Change

Natalie Taylor Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users encounter a 404 Not Found error when clicking on saved OneDrive Favorites if the file owner recently updated their account name.

How to Fix OneDrive Favorites Returning a 404 Error After a Name Change

Product: Microsoft OneDrive / SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing a previously saved Favorite link to a OneDrive file or folder after the owner's Microsoft 365 account name was changed.
Observed behavior: Saved Favorites retain the old account name in the URL, returning a 404 error when accessed, even though newly generated sharing links work perfectly.

Before you start

Ensure you have SharePoint administrator privileges in the Microsoft 365 admin center, as standard users cannot access the necessary diagnostic tools.

Solution 1Recommended

Run the Site User ID Mismatch Diagnostic Tool

Use the built-in diagnostic tool in the Microsoft 365 admin center to resolve URL mismatch issues caused by an account name change.

This tool automatically checks for discrepancies between the user's old and new IDs and remaps the OneDrive URLs properly on the backend.

Access the Admin Center

Open Help and Support

Navigate to the 'Support' tab on the left-hand menu and click on 'Help and support'.

Run the Diagnostic

Search for 'Site User ID Mismatch' in the diagnostic search bar. Enter the owner's new OneDrive URL and their newly updated email address into the tool.

Apply Fix

Click 'Run Tests' and allow the system to automatically remap the user's IDs to resolve the 404 routing error for saved Favorites.

Run the Site User ID Mismatch Diagnostic Tool

Open a Support Ticket: If the diagnostic tool reports no problems or fails to resolve the 404 error, proceed to Microsoft 365 admin center > Support > Help and support to open a direct support request with Microsoft.

Solution 2

Request a New Sharing Link from the Owner

If you do not have administrative access, you can bypass the broken Favorite by manually requesting and saving an updated link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do OneDrive Favorites break after a user changes their name?

When a user's name is updated in Microsoft 365, their personal OneDrive URL path often changes to reflect the new name. Older saved links or 'Favorites' still point to the old URL, which is no longer valid, leading to a 404 Not Found error.

Can a standard user run the Site User ID Mismatch diagnostic?

No, the Site User ID Mismatch diagnostic tool is restricted. It can only be accessed and run by users who have been assigned the SharePoint administrator role within the Microsoft 365 admin center.

How long does it take for a name change to sync in OneDrive?

Typically, it can take up to 24 hours for user profile changes, including name and email updates, to fully sync across all Microsoft 365 services like SharePoint and OneDrive.

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