OneDrive Error Codes

How to Fix OneDrive for Mac Crashing When Adding a Second Business Account

Khadija Khan Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to add a second OneDrive for Business account on their Mac due to the application crashing or hanging and returning error code -1.

How to Fix OneDrive for Mac Crashing When Adding a Second Business Account

Product: OneDrive for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to configure multiple OneDrive for Business accounts simultaneously on a single Mac device.
Observed behavior: During setup, authentication and folder selection succeed, but OneDrive hangs and returns error -1 without creating the necessary symbolic link or folder in Library/CloudStorage.

Before you start

Ensure you have the correct login credentials and verify that you can successfully access the second OneDrive for Business account via a web browser before troubleshooting the desktop application.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset OneDrive and Reinstall the Standalone Application

Resetting the application clears corrupted cache files that might be preventing the second business account's folder structure from generating correctly.

Often, backend cache conflicts or lingering preference files from a previous setup can trigger error -1 on macOS. Performing a full reset forces OneDrive to rebuild its folder connections.

Unlink existing accounts

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac menu bar, open Preferences (or Settings), go to the Account tab, and click 'Unlink this Mac' for your currently connected accounts.

Reset the application

Quit OneDrive. Open the Applications folder, right-click on the OneDrive app, and select 'Show Package Contents'. Navigate to Contents > Resources and double-click the 'ResetOneDriveApp.command' file. Wait for the terminal process to finish.

Reinstall the standalone version

If resetting does not resolve the crash, drag the OneDrive app to the Trash. Then, visit the official Microsoft website to download and install the standalone OneDrive for Mac installer instead of the Mac App Store version.

Reset OneDrive and Reinstall the Standalone Application

Data Safety: Resetting OneDrive will not delete any of your files. It only resets the application settings and forces a full sync of your metadata.

Solution 2

Test the Account in a New Mac User Profile

Creating a fresh macOS user profile helps determine if the error is caused by corrupted permissions in your current profile's Library folder.

Solution 3

Request Support from Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

If the issue persists across different user profiles, the synchronization failure requires log analysis and backend investigation by Microsoft Support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does error -1 mean in OneDrive for Mac?

Error -1 usually indicates a local file system issue where OneDrive fails to create the required symbolic links or folder structures within the Library/CloudStorage directory, often due to permission conflicts or profile corruption.

Can I use multiple OneDrive for Business accounts on one Mac?

Yes, Microsoft supports linking multiple business accounts on a single device. However, cache corruption or setup glitches can sometimes prevent subsequent accounts from properly initializing.

Where are the OneDrive log files stored on a Mac?

OneDrive log files can typically be found by navigating to ~/Library/Logs/OneDrive in your Mac's Finder. These files are essential for Microsoft Support to diagnose persistent crashing or linking errors.

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