Troubleshooting Tools for OneDrive

You can use Microsoft's collection of tools and tips to find out why your OneDrive cloud storage is not working properly on your Windows or Mac device.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

March 17, 2016

2 Min Read
Troubleshooting Tools for OneDrive

Storing and syncing files using Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage is very handy these days as so many of us have multiple devices. 

It is nice to have access to those files across a multitude of Windows devices but OneDrive has also been known to present some challenges when it comes to keeping everything working together.

That is why troubleshooting tools exist - because enough people in the past have experienced issues that necessitated a tool or guide to help sort them out.

Same reason certain rules exist - because someone did something they should not have in the past - this was very common in my beloved Navy.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand.

Microsoft does have a collection of tools and tips to assist OneDrive users in troubleshooting some common and basic issues they may be experiencing.

They are broken down based on the operating system that is being used since it is implemented differently on each one.

Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1

The OneDrive Troubleshooter will deal with these common problems:

  • OneDrive doesn't appear in the left pane in File Explorer.

  • Even though you're connected to the Internet, you can't connect to OneDrive.

  • Some of your OneDrive files or folders are missing on your PC.

  • Some files or folders won't upload from your PC to OneDrive.

  • The OneDrive icon doesn't appear in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar. (In Task Manager, the sync engine process doesn't appear.)

  • You get the message "You don't have permission to save to this location. Contact the administrator to obtain permission."

Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 10

There is no OneDrive Troubleshooter to be downloaded for these operating systems but the Fix OneDrive Problems page for these systems has some basic and in-depth troubleshooting steps.

The basic steps include making sure you have all Windows Updates installed and re-downloading the OneDrive software to update the current installation.

Mac

Yes, even our friends on the Mac operating system have a dedicated troubleshooting page for OneDrive as well.

If all else fails through these tools then you have the OneDrive Support pages and the OneDrive Answers Community Forums.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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