Forum Discussion
OneDrive offline on my Windows pc
Apologies if I am not in the right place.
- I recently changed my primary email address on my OneDrive account, ‘on the internet’ i.e. using a browser to access my account.
- Today I received a pop up message on my pc saying I needed to provide my 'credentials' in order for syncing to continue.
- I attempted to sign in using my new primary email address but this did not work & the next message that popped up seem to suggest I should be using my old email address; saying something about a different account ('passkey' might have got a mention too).
- OneDrive is now offline, and thus not syncing.
- When I click on the OneDrive app on my pc it simply opens -what I call- the files; there is no obvious way to sign in.
- FWIW I can still sign in ‘on the internet’ i.e using a browser.
- I have no idea how to resolve the problem.
- Grateful for any assistance please, that takes account of the fact that I am no more than average when it comes to computers.
Thanks, Jeremy
Your PC’s OneDrive app is still “stuck” on your old email login, while your Microsoft account online now uses the new email address. So they’re out of sync — but your files are completely safe.
The fix (try this first — it works about 90% of the time)
- Look at the bottom‑right corner of your screen (near the clock). Find the OneDrive cloud icon.
- Right‑click that cloud icon and choose Settings (the gear icon).
- Go to the Account tab and click “Unlink this PC”. Confirm when asked.
- A sign‑in window will appear. Enter your new email address and your password.
That should reconnect everything and start syncing again.
If you see a “passkey” prompt...
That’s likely the old way you used to sign in (like a PIN, face, or fingerprint). Simply click “More choices” or “Sign‑in options”, then choose “Sign in with a password”. Enter your new email address and password. You can set up a new passkey later if you want.If that still doesn’t work...
Press Windows key + R, type the command below, and press Enter:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
OneDrive will restart and should show the sign‑in screen. Use your new email.You’ve got this! And while you’re fixing it, your files are still accessible anytime through your browser at onedrive.live.com.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
Was the answer useful? Mark as best response and like it!
This will help all forum participants.
1 Reply
Your PC’s OneDrive app is still “stuck” on your old email login, while your Microsoft account online now uses the new email address. So they’re out of sync — but your files are completely safe.
The fix (try this first — it works about 90% of the time)
- Look at the bottom‑right corner of your screen (near the clock). Find the OneDrive cloud icon.
- Right‑click that cloud icon and choose Settings (the gear icon).
- Go to the Account tab and click “Unlink this PC”. Confirm when asked.
- A sign‑in window will appear. Enter your new email address and your password.
That should reconnect everything and start syncing again.
If you see a “passkey” prompt...
That’s likely the old way you used to sign in (like a PIN, face, or fingerprint). Simply click “More choices” or “Sign‑in options”, then choose “Sign in with a password”. Enter your new email address and password. You can set up a new passkey later if you want.If that still doesn’t work...
Press Windows key + R, type the command below, and press Enter:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
OneDrive will restart and should show the sign‑in screen. Use your new email.You’ve got this! And while you’re fixing it, your files are still accessible anytime through your browser at onedrive.live.com.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
Was the answer useful? Mark as best response and like it!
This will help all forum participants.