Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Cannot Sign In and Upload Failed Error in Word and Excel

Muhammad Talha Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users experience a recurring 'Upload failed' message requiring sign-in when using Word and Excel, even though the Microsoft account, Outlook, and OneDrive are working correctly.

How to Fix 'Upload Failed' and Sign-in Errors in Word and Excel

Product: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sync or save documents to OneDrive directly from within Microsoft Word or Excel.
Observed behavior: An 'Upload failed' error appears continuously prompting for a sign-in, creating a loop where document syncing is blocked despite a valid account connection.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable and check if you can successfully access your OneDrive account via a web browser to ensure there are no server outages or account restrictions.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Office and Clear the Document Cache

Installing the latest Office updates and clearing corrupted temporary cache files will typically fix synchronization disconnects and stale credential issues.

Outdated Office software or a corrupted document cache are the primary reasons for continuous sign-in prompts when saving to the cloud. Refreshing the cache forces the application to re-authenticate with the server.

Update Office Applications

Open Microsoft Word or Excel, navigate to File > Account, select 'Update Options', and click 'Update Now'. Wait for the installation to finish.

Clear Office Document Cache

Open the Microsoft Office Upload Center from your Windows search bar, go to Settings, and click 'Delete cached files'. Alternatively, use the Storage settings in Windows to clear temporary Office files.

Sign Out and Restart

In Word or Excel, go to File > Account and click 'Sign Out'. Close all Office applications, restart your computer, and sign back into your Microsoft account.

Test OneDrive Synchronization

Open a document saved in OneDrive through Word or Excel, make a minor edit, and check if the 'Upload failed' message has disappeared.

Update Office and Clear the Document Cache

Check Specific Files: If the issue continues after these steps, verify your exact Office version and check if the upload failure affects all OneDrive files or just a specific corrupted document.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Reliable Document Management

If you are tired of frustrating sign-in loops and cloud sync errors in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for editing documents without complex cache issues.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version for your device.
2. Open Your Files Directly: Right-click your existing Word or Excel documents and select 'Open with WPS Office' to continue working immediately.
3. Sync with Ease: Sign in once to WPS Cloud to automatically backup and sync your documents seamlessly across all devices.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Free, fast, and lightweight with a familiar user interface.Seamless built-in cloud synchronization without continuous sign-in prompts.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word keep asking me to sign in when I am already logged into Windows?

This happens when the Microsoft Office credentials become stale or the document cache is corrupted, causing a disconnect between the desktop app and Microsoft's cloud servers.

Will clearing the Office document cache delete my personal files?

No, clearing the document cache only removes local temporary files used by Office to help sync documents. Your actual files safely stored on your computer or OneDrive will not be affected.

What should I do if the upload fails for only one specific Excel file?

If the error is isolated to a single file, the file itself might be corrupted. Try opening the file, selecting 'Save As' to create a new copy on your local drive, and then upload the new copy to OneDrive.

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