Cannot Access Folder on OneDrive While Logged In

Question

My boss shared me a OneDrive Link to add to and download files as needed. Its his own personal OneDrive he shared to my personal OneDrive. When I click on the link I can see the files, however, when I log in they disappear. If I try to access them through "Shared" I see it there, however, when I click on the link it says nothing is there and asks me to try and refresh the page. The thing is, I can see all the files and the other folders in the main folder if I follow the link without being logged in, so I am not sure how to fix this.

Answer 1

This usually happens because the shared link is being opened with a different account than the one the invitation or permission is tied to, or because the link permissions are no longer valid for the signed-in account.

Try this in order:

1. Open the shared link in a private browser window.
   • Use InPrivate or Incognito mode.
   • Sign in only with the personal Microsoft account that should have access.
   • Then open the link again.
2. If it works in private browsing, clear the browser cache and cookies.
   • Then sign in again and test the link.
3. Make sure the folder was shared to the same account currently being used.
   • A common cause is that the link was shared to one account, but the browser is signed in with another.
   • This matches the error pattern where a shared link is visible until sign-in, then becomes unavailable.
4. Ask the owner to reshare the folder.
   • The owner should confirm the folder was not moved, renamed, or deleted.
   • The owner should verify that the correct account still has permission.
   • If needed, the owner should generate a new sharing link.
5. Check the item from OneDrive on the web.
   • In OneDrive.com, select Shared in the left pane to find items shared with the account.
   • If it appears there but opens to an empty page, that still points to a permission or link/account mismatch issue.

Also note:

• Not all shared links open the same way in the OneDrive app. Some links open in the browser instead, especially older links or links that need extra Microsoft 365 validation.
• Shared items are based on the owner’s OneDrive, so they can behave differently from files stored directly in the signed-in account’s own OneDrive.

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References:

• "403 Forbidden" error on OneDrive or SharePoint
• Access Denied or You need permission errors in SharePoint Online and OneDrive
• See files you shared in OneDrive
• Why don't all links that people share with me open in the OneDrive app?
• Cant open a folder despite being given access - Microsoft Q&A