How to Fix OneDrive Asking for Sign-In After Every Windows Restart
Question details
The user experiences an issue where Microsoft OneDrive prompts for authentication upon every Windows restart or user logoff.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Starting the computer or logging back into a Windows user profile.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive fails to remember login credentials and repeatedly asks the user to sign in despite previous authentication.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and know your correct Microsoft account password before making changes to your stored credentials or resetting the OneDrive client.
Clear Stale Credentials from Windows Credential Manager
Removing old or corrupted OneDrive credentials forces Windows to generate a fresh, working login token.
Often, Windows saves an outdated or corrupted session token for OneDrive. Clearing this cached data from the Credential Manager allows the app to store a new, permanent login token upon your next sign-in.
Click the Windows Start button, type 'Credential Manager' into the search bar, and press Enter to open the control panel applet.
Click on the 'Windows Credentials' tab to view your saved passwords and tokens.
Scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section. Locate any entries containing 'OneDrive Cached Credential' or 'MicrosoftAccount', click the drop-down arrow next to them, and select 'Remove'.
Restart your computer, launch OneDrive, and sign in again. The new credentials will now be properly saved.
Reset and Update the OneDrive App
Resetting the OneDrive client can resolve underlying configuration issues that cause repeated sign-in prompts.
Test with a New Windows User Profile
If the issue persists, your current Windows user profile might be corrupted.
Experience Hassle-Free Cloud Syncing with WPS Office
Tired of dealing with Microsoft OneDrive login loops and Windows sync errors? WPS Office offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with built-in WPS Cloud storage that works seamlessly without the repetitive authentication headaches.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for Windows.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and open WPS Office. Your existing Microsoft documents will open perfectly without requiring complex setups.
- 3. Enable WPS Cloud: Sign in once to activate your free WPS Cloud space for reliable, auto-saving document storage across your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive keep asking for my password after every restart?
This usually happens when the Windows Credential Manager contains corrupted or expired cached credentials for your Microsoft account, preventing OneDrive from reading the saved session token correctly.
Will resetting OneDrive delete my locally synced files?
No, resetting the OneDrive app only resets the application settings and forces a full sync check. You will not lose any of your synced files or folders during this process.
How do I check if OneDrive is permitted to run at Windows startup?
Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, navigate to the 'Startup' tab, locate 'Microsoft OneDrive' in the list, and ensure its status is set to 'Enabled'.
Can a corrupted Windows profile cause recurring sign-in prompts?
Yes. If the registry or profile folders are corrupted, Windows may fail to save session tokens upon logging off, causing applications like OneDrive to request credentials on every single reboot.
