How to Fix OneDrive Sign-In Error 80090016 on Windows
Question details
The user is unable to sign in to the OneDrive desktop app and encounters error code 80090016 after a hardware change.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign in to the OneDrive desktop app after replacing the computer's motherboard and completing a BitLocker recovery.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive displays error 80090016 and fails to sign in on the desktop app, though the web version works. This issue often extends to Microsoft Teams and Office desktop applications.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready and save any ongoing work, as you will need to close all Office applications and restart OneDrive during this process.
Disconnect and Reconnect Your Work or School Account
Refreshing your account connection in Windows settings usually clears the TPM or hardware token mismatch caused by the motherboard change.
When a motherboard is replaced, the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) changes. This invalidates the old authentication tokens stored on your device, causing error 80090016. Reconnecting the account generates a fresh token.
Completely exit OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, and all Office applications like Word and Excel.
Press the Windows Key + I to open Settings, then click on Accounts.
Navigate to the 'Access work or school' section from the left sidebar or main menu.
Locate the affected Microsoft account, click on it, and select the Disconnect button.
Click Connect to add your account back, then restart OneDrive and attempt to sign in again.
Perform a Clean Boot or Test a New User Profile
If reconnecting the account fails, third-party background software or a corrupted Windows user profile might be blocking the authentication process.
Experience Hassle-Free Document Editing with WPS Office
If Microsoft Office login errors and hardware-related authentication issues are slowing you down, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that lets you work on your local files or cloud documents without complex account synchronizations.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and complete the quick installation.
- 2. Open Your Office Files: Double-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open them directly in WPS Office.
- 3. Edit Without Interruptions: Enjoy a familiar interface to edit, save, and manage your documents locally or in the cloud without TPM errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I get error 80090016 after replacing my motherboard?
Error 80090016 is usually caused by a mismatch in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). When a motherboard is replaced, the hardware token changes, invalidating the previous authentication tokens used by Office and OneDrive.
Does error 80090016 affect other Microsoft applications?
Yes, this authentication error commonly affects other Microsoft 365 services, including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint access, and desktop Office applications like Word and Excel.
Will renaming the IdentityCache folder fix the OneDrive sign-in error?
While clearing identity caches can resolve some minor login issues, it often fails for hardware-related token mismatches like a motherboard swap. Disconnecting and reconnecting the account in Windows Settings is the most effective solution.
Why does OneDrive work in my web browser but not the desktop app?
The web version of OneDrive uses browser-based session cookies for authentication, which are unaffected by your computer's local hardware changes. The desktop app relies on local hardware-bound tokens, which break when the motherboard is replaced.
