OneDrive keeps having server issues

Question

I have been fighting with this on-again-off-again server issue. I am wasting hours trying to get my files and upload files. It also seems to get scrambled when I toggle between OneDrive accounts. I am trying to move files from my ******@yahoo.ca account to my ******@outlook.com account...and get my taxes done, and this is all causing so much frustration.

I have cleared my cache (of all time) and tried incognito. Both have worked but do not render a permanent solution, as the problem keeps coming back.

When our lives evolve around functional tech, you lose customers when things get difficult.

And, while we are at it, stop redirecting me to the new CoPilot page. If that was where I wanted to be, then I would choose to go there. Time is money, guys...and you're wasting a lot of my time.

Please help me understand how I can fix this

Answer 1

Hello,

Just a heads up, this is actually a public community forum where users help out other regular users. None of us work for Microsoft.

The scrambling and server errors you are dealing with happen because your browser login tokens are conflicting. When you swap between two Microsoft accounts in the same regular browser window, the login cookies get mashed together and the site loses track of which account you are actually managing.

The trick is to keep those accounts isolated using the profile feature in Microsoft Edge. Open your browser, click on the profile picture icon in the very top right corner, and choose the option to add a new profile. Sign into your Yahoo-based Microsoft account on the original profile and log into your Outlook account on the new profile window.

Doing this creates a totally permanent wall between their cookies and cache. You can run both browser windows at the exact same time without the sessions ever cross contaminating or giving you those server errors again. Try setting up that second profile and let me know if things run a bit smoother for you.

Answer 2

Based on similar OneDrive sign-in and connectivity issues, the most effective steps are:

1. Verify account permissions and sign-in
   • Ensure the Microsoft 365/OneDrive account being used actually has permission to upload and sync files. If signed into a Microsoft 365 app (Word, Excel, etc.) with an account that does not have OneDrive permissions, uploads can be blocked.
   • In an Office app (Word/Excel): go to File > Account > Switch account, add the correct Microsoft 365 account (for example, the Outlook.com account), and sign out any other accounts that should not control OneDrive.
2. Clear OneDrive cached credentials (helps with intermittent sign-in/server issues and account switching) On Windows:
   1. Press Windows key + R.
   2. Enter:

            %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings
      

      and select OK.
   3. Delete the file PreSignInSettingsConfig.json.
   4. Restart OneDrive and sign in again with the desired account.
   On Mac (if applicable):
   1. Open Keychain Access (via Spotlight or Utilities).
   2. Search for OneDrive.
   3. Delete OneDrive Cached Credential.
   4. Run OneDrive and sign in again.
   This specifically addresses issues where old or expired credentials cause sign-in problems, duplicate files, or confusion when switching accounts.
3. Unlink and relink OneDrive
   • If problems persist, unlink and relink the OneDrive account on the PC. This often resolves sync and intermittent connectivity issues when moving between accounts.
   • Follow the guidance in Fix OneDrive sync problems to unlink/relink the account and then sign back in with the correct Outlook.com account when prompted.
4. Reinstall OneDrive if issues continue
   • If clearing cached credentials and relinking do not stabilize things, uninstall and reinstall OneDrive:
     • Download for Windows: use the OneDrive download link from the documentation.
   • After reinstall, sign in only with the account currently needed (for example, the Outlook.com account) while moving files.
5. Avoid mixing accounts during file moves
   • When moving files from the Yahoo-associated OneDrive to the Outlook.com OneDrive, keep one signed-in session per browser or app where possible. For example, use one browser profile or window for the Yahoo-linked account and another for the Outlook.com account to reduce cross-account confusion.

If the issue manifests as “can’t sign in” or “no internet” while other apps work, also ensure:

• The latest OneDrive version is installed.
• Any firewall/VPN is not blocking OneDrive’s required URLs and ports (see “Required URLs and ports for OneDrive” in the documentation).

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References:

• Fix problems uploading files on the OneDrive website
• Clear OneDrive cached credentials
• Fix OneDrive sync problems
• Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in OneDrive
• "The server you are trying to access is using an authentication protocol not supported by this version of Office" error in OneDrive