License & Subscription Issues

Why Microsoft OneDrive Storage Does Not Expand Beyond 5 TB & How to Fix It

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users find that their OneDrive cloud storage remains at the initial 5 TB capacity despite filling more than 90% of the space and being eligible for an expansion to 25 TB.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to utilize extended cloud storage capacity upon reaching the 90% threshold of the default 5 TB limit.
Observed behavior: The storage limit does not automatically expand to 25 TB, preventing users from uploading additional files until a manual intervention is made.

Before you start

Verify that your account has officially reached at least 90% capacity of the 5 TB limit and ensure your organization holds a minimum of five licenses that include OneDrive Plan 2.

Solution 1Recommended

Request Storage Expansion via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Because the expansion to 25 TB is not applied automatically by the system, tenant administrators must manually submit a support ticket to Microsoft to request the increase.

Microsoft limits automatic provisioning to 5 TB to manage server resources. Organizations that legitimately need up to 25 TB of space per user can request it, provided they meet specific licensing and usage criteria.

Verify licensing requirements

Ensure your tenant has at least five licenses that include OneDrive Plan 2 (such as Office 365 E3, E5, or SharePoint Online Plan 2) and that at least one is currently assigned.

Confirm the 90% usage threshold

Check the specific user's OneDrive storage metrics to confirm they have filled 90% or more of their current 5 TB allocation.

Open Microsoft 365 admin center

Submit a support request

Navigate to the 'Support' section in the left-hand menu, select 'New service request', and open a case requesting a OneDrive storage expansion. Be sure to provide the affected user's email address in the request.

Processing Time: Once the support request is submitted and Microsoft verifies your eligibility, it may take a few business days for the 25 TB limit to reflect on the user's account.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Lightweight and Free Document Management

If you are looking for a cost-effective and lightweight solution to manage your documents alongside your cloud storage, WPS Office is an excellent free alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers high compatibility and a familiar interface without the hefty subscription fees.

1. Download and Install: Get the free installer from the official WPS website and complete the quick setup process.
2. Sign in to WPS Cloud: Create a free account to access integrated cloud storage for your documents across multiple devices.
3. Start Creating: Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files instantly and enjoy a familiar, highly productive editing experience.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Built-in WPS Cloud storage to seamlessly backup and sync your documents.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.Familiar, tabbed user interface ensuring a seamless migration with zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the 25 TB OneDrive storage expansion?

Organizations with at least five licenses that include OneDrive Plan 2 (such as Office 365 E3 or E5) are eligible for the expansion, provided the user requesting the space has already filled 90% of their 5 TB limit.

Why doesn't Microsoft expand the OneDrive storage automatically?

Microsoft requires an explicit support request from the tenant administrator to allocate storage beyond the initial 5 TB. This prevents abuse and ensures server resources are allocated only to organizations that genuinely require the extra space.

What happens if my organization has fewer than five OneDrive Plan 2 licenses?

If your tenant holds fewer than five qualifying licenses, the maximum OneDrive storage limit is capped at 1 TB per user. You will not be able to expand the storage to 5 TB or 25 TB unless you purchase additional licenses.

What happens if a user exceeds the 25 TB limit in OneDrive?

If a user requires more than 25 TB of storage, Microsoft no longer increases the limit for a single OneDrive site. Instead, administrators must create additional SharePoint team sites for the user to store their overflow files.

Login & Account Issues