Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix a Blank White Password Box When Opening Office from OneDrive

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user experiences a blank white sign-in window instead of the standard password prompt when attempting to open Microsoft Office files directly from OneDrive.

Product: Microsoft Office, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening Office applications or files from OneDrive requires authentication, but the sign-in prompt fails to render properly.
Observed behavior: A blank white box appears in place of the normal password entry field, blocking the user from authenticating and accessing the Office application.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, verify if Microsoft Office applications open normally when launched directly from your desktop (outside of OneDrive) to determine if the issue is isolated to OneDrive synchronization.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink and Relink Your OneDrive Account

Refreshing the connection between your computer and OneDrive often resolves localized authentication glitches and sync errors.

This process will not delete your files. It simply disconnects your account temporarily so that the client can establish a fresh connection to Microsoft's servers.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows taskbar notification area, click the gear icon (Help & Settings), and select 'Settings'.

Unlink this PC

Navigate to the 'Account' tab in the settings window and click the 'Unlink this PC' link.

Relink your account

Once unlinked, the OneDrive setup screen will appear. Enter your email address and password to sign back in and re-establish the sync.

Solution 2

Reset or Reinstall the OneDrive Client

Resetting OneDrive clears its internal cache and restores default sync settings, which can fix corrupted sign-in prompts.

Solution 3

Verify License and Repair Microsoft Office

If the blank screen persists, the Office installation itself might have corrupted authentication components preventing the password box from loading.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless Cloud Experience

If Microsoft Office authentication issues persist and interrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that seamlessly integrates with popular cloud drives without complex sign-in loops.

1. Download and Install: Get the official WPS Office installer from the website and follow the quick setup guide.
2. Connect Your Cloud: Open WPS Office, navigate to the Cloud section, and link your preferred cloud storage service directly.
3. Open Your Files: Select your document from the cloud drive and start editing immediately with full formatting preserved.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) formats.Directly open and edit files from cloud storage without login errors.Lightweight software with a familiar, easy-to-use interface.Completely free core features for everyday productivity.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Microsoft Office sign-in screen blank?

A blank sign-in screen usually occurs due to network connectivity issues, corrupted browser cache used by the Office authentication module, or glitches in the OneDrive sync client attempting to verify your credentials.

Will unlinking OneDrive delete my files?

No, unlinking your PC from OneDrive only stops the synchronization process. Your locally downloaded files and the files stored safely in the cloud remain unaffected.

How do I clear the Office authentication cache?

You can clear the cache by navigating to Windows Credential Manager, selecting 'Windows Credentials', finding all items containing 'MicrosoftOffice', and clicking 'Remove' before restarting your PC.

Can I access my OneDrive files without Microsoft Office?

Yes, you can use alternative office suites like WPS Office which are fully compatible with Office formats, or you can log in to OneDrive via a web browser to view and edit your files online.

Login & Account Issues