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How to Fix Cannot Sign In to OneDrive on Mac After Reinstalling Microsoft Apps
Question details
The user is unable to sign in to OneDrive on macOS after reinstalling Microsoft applications due to leftover outdated credentials or support files.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign in to OneDrive and sync files after a failed, incomplete, or recent reinstallation of Microsoft 365 apps on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive sign-in fails, preventing file synchronization and blocking access to cloud-saved documents in apps like OneNote.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials handy and verify that you have closed all active Microsoft applications before proceeding.
Clear Keychain Credentials and Leftover OneDrive Files
Removing outdated authentication tokens and leftover support files resolves conflicts that prevent OneDrive from signing in successfully.
macOS stores authentication tokens in the Keychain Access app, which are not automatically deleted when you uninstall Microsoft applications. Clearing these old tokens is essential for a clean sign-in.
Quit OneDrive, OneNote, Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft apps. You can use Activity Monitor to force-quit any background processes related to Microsoft.
Open the 'Keychain Access' app on your Mac. Search for and delete any entries related to OneDrive, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Identity, ADAL, MSAL, and Office tokens. Restart your Mac after removing these.
Open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, and type '~/Library/Containers'. Delete 'com.microsoft.OneDrive-mac' and 'com.microsoft.OneDriveLauncher' if present. Then go to '~/Library/Group Containers' and remove 'UBF8T346G9.OneDriveStandaloneSuite'.
Download and reinstall OneDrive from the official Microsoft website. Open OneDrive, sign in to your account, and confirm that the OneDrive icon appears in the menu bar and synchronization begins.
Perform a Clean Reinstallation of All Microsoft 365 Apps
If removing OneDrive alone doesn't work, a mixed or incomplete Office installation may be the culprit and requires a complete cleanout.
Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience on Mac
Tired of dealing with complex sign-in issues and leftover application files? WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative that offers seamless document editing and cloud synchronization on macOS without the heavy footprint.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install and Launch: Open the downloaded package and drag WPS Office to your Applications folder, then launch it.
- 3. Sign In and Sync: Sign in to your WPS account to instantly enable cloud backup and sync your documents seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac keep old Microsoft credentials after I uninstall?
macOS stores authentication tokens securely in the Keychain Access app. These tokens are designed to persist to save your passwords, meaning they are not automatically deleted when you move a Microsoft application to the Trash.
How do I access the hidden Library folder on my Mac?
Open Finder, click on the 'Go' menu at the top of the screen, hold down the 'Option' key to reveal the 'Library' option, and click it. Alternatively, use the Command+Shift+G keyboard shortcut and type '~/Library'.
Should I sign in to OneDrive or Word first after reinstalling?
It is highly recommended to sign in to OneDrive first. Ensuring that the OneDrive synchronization begins successfully sets up the proper file paths and cloud connections needed before opening and signing into applications like OneNote or Word.
