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How to Fix Microsoft 365 Showing the Wrong OneDrive Storage Limit
Question details
The user receives a warning that their OneDrive is full or over a 5 GB limit, despite having an active Microsoft 365 subscription that includes 1 TB of storage.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Checking OneDrive storage quota after receiving a storage limit warning email or system notification.
- Observed behavior
- The system incorrectly displays a 5 GB storage limit instead of the 1 TB entitlement included with the Microsoft 365 subscription.
Ensure you know the exact email address used to purchase your Microsoft 365 subscription and have your login credentials ready.
Verify Storage and Account Details in Outlook on the Web
Check your account's exact storage metrics online to confirm whether the correct Microsoft account is being used and if the subscription is recognized.
Often, storage warnings are sent to a secondary, free Microsoft account rather than the primary subscribed account. Verifying the account details through Outlook's web interface is the most accurate way to check your current storage entitlement.
Open your web browser, navigate to Outlook.com, and log in with your Microsoft account.
Click the gear icon located in the top right corner of the screen to open Settings, then click 'View all Outlook settings'.
In the left-hand menu, click on 'General', and then select 'Storage'. Here you will see a detailed breakdown of your total available capacity.
Verify that the account listed on this page is exactly the same as the one you used to purchase your Microsoft 365 subscription. If the 1 TB entitlement is still missing, contact Microsoft Support with these storage details.
Check for Multiple Microsoft Accounts in the Desktop App
Ensure that your local OneDrive application is not logged into a different, free Microsoft account with a 5 GB limit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I receive a 5 GB storage warning when I pay for Microsoft 365?
This usually happens when you have multiple Microsoft accounts. The warning email may have been sent to a secondary, free account that only has a 5 GB limit, rather than your subscribed account with 1 TB of storage.
How long does it take for OneDrive to show 1 TB after purchasing Microsoft 365?
It can take up to 48 hours for a newly purchased or renewed Microsoft 365 subscription to fully provision the 1 TB of storage space to your OneDrive account.
Can I merge the storage limits from two different Microsoft accounts?
No, OneDrive storage quotas are tied to individual Microsoft accounts. You cannot combine the 5 GB from a free account with the 1 TB from a Microsoft 365 subscription account.
