Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix OneDrive for Mac Stuck Signing In to a Work Account

Nimra Malik Sep 28, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where OneDrive for Mac gets permanently stuck during the sign-in or synchronization process for a Microsoft 365 work account, even though the personal account functions perfectly.

How to Fix OneDrive for Mac Stuck Signing In to a Work Account

Product: OneDrive for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to and synchronize a Microsoft 365 business or work account in the OneDrive app after a reinstallation.
Observed behavior: The synchronization for the business account gets stuck indefinitely (often over 24 hours), and repeated setups or reinstalls do not resolve the issue, though uploading directly from Office apps still works.

Before you start

Before resetting or unlinking the OneDrive application, critically ensure that you back up any files stored exclusively on your local Mac hard drive to prevent permanent data loss during the reset process.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset OneDrive and Reconfigure the Local Sync Location

Perform a full reset of the OneDrive app to clear problematic tenant cache configurations, then manually restore unsynced files to the new directory.

Because the issue selectively impacts the business account and not the personal one, the problem usually stems from corrupted local cache data related to the Microsoft 365 tenant.

Please be aware that resetting the app will clear existing configurations, and OneDrive may assign a completely new sync location path upon signing back in.

Back Up Local Files

Locate your current OneDrive business folder on your Mac. Manually copy any recent files that have not yet synchronized to the cloud and paste them into a safe local directory, such as your Mac's Desktop.

Reset the OneDrive App

Quit OneDrive completely. Open your Applications folder, right-click the OneDrive app, and select 'Show Package Contents'. Navigate to Contents > Resources, and double-click the 'ResetOneDriveApp.command' file (or 'ResetOneDriveAppStandalone.command') to execute the reset.

Sign In to Your Work Account

Relaunch the OneDrive application from your Applications folder. Enter your Microsoft 365 work account credentials and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Restore Unsynced Files

Take note of the new sync location established during the setup process. Move the local files you backed up in the first step into this new directory to force them to synchronize with the cloud.

Reset OneDrive and Reconfigure the Local Sync Location

Verification: Once the files are moved to the new directory, check the OneDrive menu bar icon to verify that the synchronization status is updating properly.

Solution 2

Bypass Desktop Sync and Contact Your M365 Administrator

If the desktop sync remains stuck after a reset, the issue likely originates from backend Microsoft 365 tenant restrictions requiring administrative support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Hassle-Free Work with WPS Office for Mac

If Microsoft 365 tenant issues and OneDrive sync errors are disrupting your workflow, consider using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for Mac users, allowing you to manage and edit documents smoothly without dealing with complex business account restrictions.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of the WPS Office suite.
2. Install and Launch: Drag the downloaded application into your Mac's Applications folder, then open it to access Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation tools.
3. Save and Sync: Open your Microsoft Office formats directly within the app, and utilize WPS Cloud to securely back up and access your documents across all your devices.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Built-in WPS Cloud provides a stable and straightforward alternative for backing up and syncing files.Lightweight software design ensures smooth performance on macOS without heavy system resource usage.Free to use, reducing your dependency on expensive enterprise licenses.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my personal OneDrive work properly while my work account is stuck?

Work accounts connect to specific Microsoft 365 enterprise tenants that may have unique security policies, outdated cached credentials, or server-side restrictions that do not apply to standard personal Microsoft accounts.

Will resetting the OneDrive app delete my existing cloud files?

No, resetting the OneDrive application will not delete any files that have already successfully synced to the cloud. However, it is critical to back up any locally stored files that haven't synced yet, as they could be lost during the local cache reset.

Why did my OneDrive folder location change after performing the reset?

When you reset and unlink OneDrive, the application forgets its previous local configurations. Upon signing back in, it often establishes a new default directory pathway, which requires you to manually migrate your recent local files into this new folder.

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