OneDrive “We Can’t Sign You In” Error? 9 Proven Fixes (2026)

Table of Contents

• Why the OneDrive Sign In Error Occurs
• Method 1: Verify Your Account and Password
• Method 2: Clear OneDrive Cached Credentials
• Method 3: Reset OneDrive
• Method 4: Delete Corrupted Sign-In Configuration Files
• Method 5: Remove Cached Registry Identities
• Method 6: Check Internet Connection, VPN, and Firewall
• Method 7: Update OneDrive and Windows
• Method 8: Unlink and Re-link OneDrive
• Method 9: Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive
• Frequently Asked Questions

OneDrive sign in error is one of the most frustrating issues Microsoft OneDrive users face. When the OneDrive sign in error occurs, you may see messages like “We can’t sign you in,” “Something went wrong and we can’t sign you in right now,” or “There was a problem signing you in.” According to Microsoft’s official support documentation, these errors typically stem from corrupted cached credentials, outdated clients, network connectivity issues, or multiple cached identities[reference:0][reference:1]. This guide covers every possible cause and provides clear, step-by-step fixes to resolve the OneDrive sign in error on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

For more OneDrive and Microsoft Office troubleshooting guides, visit our Microsoft Office Troubleshooting Hub. You can also check our guide on sync issues, our guide on location errors, and our guide on Office activation problems for additional help.

For additional assistance, refer to Microsoft’s official OneDrive support page and check the server status at DownDetector.

Why the OneDrive Sign In Error Occurs

Several factors can cause OneDrive to fail to sign in. According to Microsoft’s support documentation and community experts, the issue is often related to corrupted credentials, network problems, or account conflicts.

Here are the most common reasons why the OneDrive sign in error happens:

• Corrupted Cached Credentials: Old or corrupted authentication tokens stored in Windows Credential Manager can prevent sign-in[reference:2][reference:3].
• Multiple Cached Identities: Multiple Office or Microsoft account identities cached in the registry can cause authentication conflicts[reference:4].
• Corrupted Sign-In Configuration Files: The PreSignInSettingsConfig.json file may become corrupted[reference:5].
• Network or Firewall Issues: VPNs, proxies, or firewalls can block OneDrive’s connection to Microsoft’s servers[reference:6][reference:7].
• Outdated OneDrive or Windows: An outdated OneDrive client or Windows version may contain bugs that affect sign-in[reference:8][reference:9].
• Incorrect Account Credentials: The password may have changed, or the account may be locked[reference:10].
• Multiple Personal Accounts: OneDrive only allows one personal account to be signed in at a time[reference:11].

Method 1: Verify Your Account and Password

The first step to resolve the OneDrive sign in error is to confirm that your Microsoft account credentials are correct and that your account is active[reference:12].

1. Open your browser and go to account.microsoft.com.
2. Sign in with the same account you are trying to use in OneDrive.
3. If you cannot sign in, reset your password.
4. If you can sign in on the web but not in the app, the issue is with the OneDrive client[reference:13].
5. Check if your account is locked or disabled in the Microsoft 365 admin center (for work/school accounts)[reference:14].

Method 2: Clear OneDrive Cached Credentials

Corrupted cached credentials are one of the most common causes of the OneDrive sign in error. According to multiple Microsoft Q&A experts, clearing these credentials can resolve the issue[reference:15][reference:16][reference:17].

1. Close all Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams)[reference:18].
2. Open Control Panel and go to User Accounts > Credential Manager.
3. Select Windows Credentials.
4. Look for any entries related to MicrosoftOffice, OneDrive, or MicrosoftAccount[reference:19].
5. Click the arrow next to each entry and select Remove.
6. Restart your computer and try signing in to OneDrive again[reference:20].

Method 3: Reset OneDrive

Resetting OneDrive is the official Microsoft solution for many sign-in and sync issues[reference:21][reference:22]. This command clears the local sync database without deleting your files.

1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar and select Quit OneDrive.
2. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
3. Type the following command and press Enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
4. If you see a “Windows cannot find…” message, try: C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
5. If that also fails, try: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
6. The taskbar icon will disappear for a minute or two.
7. If it does not reappear automatically, restart OneDrive by typing “OneDrive” in the Start menu and launching the app[reference:23].

Method 4: Delete Corrupted Sign-In Configuration Files

If the OneDrive sign in error persists, a corrupted PreSignInSettingsConfig.json file may be the cause[reference:24].

1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon and select Quit OneDrive.
2. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
3. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings and press Enter[reference:25].
4. Find the file PreSignInSettingsConfig.json and delete it[reference:26].
5. Restart OneDrive and try signing in again.

Method 5: Remove Cached Registry Identities

According to Microsoft’s troubleshooting guides, multiple cached Office account identities in the registry can cause authentication errors[reference:27].

1. Close all Microsoft 365 apps and OneDrive[reference:29].
2. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
3. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive\Accounts[reference:30].
4. Delete all subfolders under “Accounts”[reference:31].
5. Also navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity\Identities.
6. Delete the “Identities” folder or remove any subfolders under it.
7. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
8. Try signing in to OneDrive again.

Method 6: Check Internet Connection, VPN, and Firewall

Network connectivity issues can cause the OneDrive sign in error. According to Microsoft’s support documentation, the error can be network-related rather than an app issue[reference:32][reference:33].

1. Open your browser and visit a website to confirm you have internet access.
2. If you are using a VPN, try disconnecting it temporarily[reference:34].
3. Check your firewall settings to ensure OneDrive is not blocked[reference:35].
4. If you are on a work/school network, check with your IT administrator for any restrictions[reference:36].
5. Ensure TLS 1.2 and 1.3 are enabled (required for Microsoft authentication)[reference:37].

Method 7: Update OneDrive and Windows

Outdated software can contain bugs that cause the OneDrive sign in error. Microsoft recommends keeping both OneDrive and Windows up to date[reference:38][reference:39].

1. Update OneDrive: Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon and select Help & Settings > Settings. Go to the About tab and check for updates.
2. Alternatively, download the latest version from Microsoft’s official website[reference:40].
3. Update Windows: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install any pending updates[reference:41].
4. Restart your computer after installing updates.

Method 8: Unlink and Re-link OneDrive

If the OneDrive sign in error persists, unlinking and re-linking your OneDrive account can reset the sync connection[reference:42].

1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
2. Select Help & Settings > Settings.
3. Go to the Account tab.
4. Click Unlink this PC.
5. Confirm the unlink operation.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Open OneDrive and sign back in with your Microsoft account.
8. Re-select the folders you want to sync.

Method 9: Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive

If all else fails and the OneDrive sign in error persists, uninstalling and reinstalling OneDrive can resolve deeply corrupted installation files[reference:43].

1. Uninstall OneDrive:
   • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
   • Find Microsoft OneDrive and select Uninstall.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Download and install the latest version from Microsoft’s official website.
4. Sign in and re-select your folders to sync.

Conclusion: Resolving This OneDrive Sign In Error

When the OneDrive sign in error occurs, start with the simplest fixes: verify your account credentials, clear cached credentials in Credential Manager, and reset OneDrive. Most cases of this error resolve with these steps. If the problem persists, delete corrupted sign-in configuration files, remove cached registry identities, or check your network connection. For more stubborn cases, update OneDrive and Windows, unlink and re-link your account, or perform a complete uninstall and reinstall. By following this guide, you can resolve the OneDrive sign in error and get back to syncing your files.

Frequently Asked Questions