Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Office Sign-In Error: Cached Credentials Have Expired for OneDrive

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a recurring sign-in error in Microsoft Office stating that cached credentials have expired, which prevents access to Personal OneDrive files.

Product: Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to Personal OneDrive alongside a Business account to upload or download files in Office apps.
Observed behavior: An error message appears saying "We can't upload or download your changes because your cached credentials have expired," and the Personal OneDrive account fails to sync or display as an option despite reinstallations and cache clearances.

Before you start

Ensure that you have your correct Microsoft account email and password handy, and verify that your Windows operating system is fully updated before attempting to repair Office credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Run an Office Quick Repair

Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix underlying issues with Office applications and their sign-in components.

When clearing caches and reinstalling does not resolve the credential issue, Windows' built-in Quick Repair tool can often fix broken authentication dependencies between Office and OneDrive without requiring a complete setup overhaul.

Restart Your Computer

Reboot your PC to clear any temporary active processes that might be locking your Office or OneDrive files.

Open Apps & Features

Click the Windows Start menu, go to Settings, and select Apps > Apps & features (or Installed Apps).

Modify the Office Installation

Scroll down the list to find your Microsoft Office installation. Click on it (or the three dots next to it) and select Modify.

Execute Quick Repair

Select the Quick Repair option and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

Solution 2

Re-add Account via Office Application

Manually trigger the sign-in prompt by opening a recent document directly through the Office application.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If Microsoft Office sign-in errors and credential loops are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative without complex account syncing dependencies.

1. Download the Installer: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installation file and follow the simple on-screen setup instructions.
3. Open Your Files: Open your existing Microsoft Office documents directly in WPS Office with zero formatting loss.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.No forced complex account sign-ins required to edit or save your local files.Built-in cloud storage options that are straightforward to manage and sync.Lightweight installation that opens files instantly and won't bog down your system.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office keep saying my cached credentials have expired?

This occurs when the authentication token stored by Windows for your Microsoft account becomes invalid, mismatched, or corrupted, preventing Office from securely communicating with OneDrive.

Will reinstalling Office fix the cached credentials error?

Reinstalling Office does not always fix the issue because the corrupted credentials may still remain locally in the Windows Credential Manager or system registry. A Quick Repair or clearing the Credential Manager is often more effective.

How do I manually clear cached credentials in Windows?

You can clear them by opening the Windows Start menu, searching for "Credential Manager," selecting "Windows Credentials," and removing any entries that start with "MicrosoftOffice" or pertain to OneDrive.

Login & Account Issues