Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix OneDrive Getting Stuck Signing In and Not Refreshing Credentials

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user experiences an issue where OneDrive Personal stops synchronizing after approximately 24 hours and becomes stuck at the sign-in screen due to a credential refresh failure.

How to Fix OneDrive Stuck on Sign-In and Not Refreshing Credentials

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: The user wants to keep OneDrive syncing files automatically in the background without needing to manually clear credentials or sign in every day.
Observed behavior: OneDrive stops syncing files and freezes at the sign-in screen. Temporary fixes like clearing cached credentials or deleting the PreSignInSettingsConfig.json file only restore access for about a day before the login loop returns.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and back up any locally modified files that have not yet synced before resetting your credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Windows, Office, and OneDrive Applications

Outdated software can cause underlying bugs with credential token caching. Updating all related Microsoft services is the most reliable way to restore proper synchronization.

Since OneDrive shares authentication modules with Microsoft Office and Windows, a mismatch in versions can prevent the Modified value of your credentials from updating properly.

Check for Windows Updates

Open the Windows Settings app, navigate to 'Update & Security', click on 'Windows Update', and select 'Check for updates'. Install any pending updates and restart your computer.

Update Microsoft Office

Open any Office application like Word or Excel. Go to 'File' > 'Account' (or 'Office Account'), click 'Update Options' under Product Information, and select 'Update Now'.

Reinstall the Latest OneDrive Client

Download the latest OneDrive release directly from the official Microsoft website. Run the installer to overwrite your current version and apply the latest patches.

Update Windows, Office, and OneDrive Applications

Update Complete: Keeping all interconnected Microsoft applications up to date prevents authentication tokens from expiring prematurely.

Solution 2

Clear Corrupted Cached Credentials

Removing old or corrupted OneDrive and Office credentials forces the system to generate a fresh authentication token.

Solution 3

Use the OneDrive Web Interface

If the desktop client completely fails to sign in, use the web version to maintain access to your critical files while waiting for a support resolution.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Sync and Editing

If persistent Microsoft Office and OneDrive credential issues are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with its own built-in WPS Cloud storage, bypassing Windows Credential Manager conflicts completely.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and complete the brief setup process.
2. Open Your Existing Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files directly without losing any formatting.
3. Enable WPS Cloud Sync: Sign in to your free WPS account to automatically back up and sync your documents seamlessly across all devices.

Built-in WPS Cloud storage for seamless, reliable document synchronizationFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsLightweight application that prevents complex Windows registry conflictsFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a script to automatically clear credentials and restart OneDrive daily?

While it is technically possible to write PowerShell or batch scripts to delete credentials via cmdkey and restart processes, Microsoft strongly advises against automating password entry and credential deletion. This poses a security risk and only masks the root cause of the synchronization failure.

Why does OneDrive stop syncing after exactly 24 hours?

This typically occurs because the temporary authentication token expires after 24 hours, and the OneDrive client is failing to negotiate a new token with Microsoft servers automatically. This is usually caused by corrupted cached credentials, software bugs, or conflicting Microsoft Office accounts.

Will deleting the PreSignInSettingsConfig.json file permanently fix the login loop?

Deleting this configuration file forces the OneDrive application to rebuild its pre-sign-in state, which can serve as a helpful temporary workaround. However, if the underlying network restriction or credential bug still exists, the issue will likely return.

Login & Account Issues