License & Subscription Issues

Fix Microsoft 365 Family OneDrive Storage Stuck at 5 GB

Phi Hung Vo Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

User's OneDrive storage remains at the free 5 GB limit instead of upgrading to 1 TB after purchasing or joining a Microsoft 365 Family plan.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Family OneDrive Storage Stuck at 5 GB

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Upgrading cloud storage capacity via a Microsoft 365 Family subscription.
Observed behavior: OneDrive continues to display only 5 GB of total storage available, failing to reflect the active Microsoft 365 Family subscription.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed into the exact Microsoft account that was used to purchase the subscription or accept the Microsoft 365 Family invitation.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Subscription Status and Refresh Account

Confirm that your subscription is active and force OneDrive to refresh its server connection.

Sometimes the OneDrive app fails to automatically sync the new storage quota from the Microsoft servers. Signing out and signing back in can force a refresh.

Additionally, verifying your subscription status ensures the purchase or invitation was successfully processed.

Check Subscription Status

Log in to the Microsoft Account portal on your web browser and navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' tab to ensure Microsoft 365 Family is listed as 'Active'.

Unlink Your PC

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar, click the gear icon (Help & Settings), select 'Settings', go to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this PC'.

Sign Back In

Relaunch the OneDrive application and sign in again with your Microsoft 365 Family account credentials to force a storage quota refresh.

Verify Subscription Status and Refresh Account

Storage Update Delay: It can take up to 24 to 48 hours for storage upgrades to reflect across all Microsoft servers after a new purchase.

Solution 2

Monitor Known Microsoft Service Issues

Wait for Microsoft to resolve the backend storage entitlement bug.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Seamless Document Management

If OneDrive syncing bugs and Microsoft 365 subscription issues are disrupting your workflow, consider trying WPS Office. As a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative, WPS Office provides reliable local and cloud document management without the hassle of complex subscription quotas.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software, then open WPS Office to access Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation.
3. Save Files Reliably: Create or edit your documents and easily save them directly to your local drive or preferred cloud service without worrying about restricted storage syncing bugs.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Free to use with a lightweight installation package that saves device spaceBuilt-in cloud storage options and robust local saving featuresFamiliar, intuitive user interface for seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for OneDrive storage to increase after buying Microsoft 365?

Typically, OneDrive storage upgrades are processed immediately. However, it can sometimes take 24 to 48 hours for the new 1 TB storage quota to reflect across all servers and devices.

Does every member of a Microsoft 365 Family plan get their own storage?

Yes, a Microsoft 365 Family subscription allows up to 6 people to share the plan. Each user gets their own private 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage, completely separate from the other members.

Why does my shared Microsoft 365 Family invite not give me 1 TB?

If you accepted an invite but still see 5 GB, ensure you accepted the invitation using the correct Microsoft account. Additionally, if the primary account holder just purchased the subscription, a known Microsoft backend delay might be preventing the storage from updating immediately.

Login & Account Issues