How to Fix | Cannot Download Files From OneDrive

If you cannot download files from OneDrive, then in this guide, we will show you how to fix this issue. There are a lot of perks associated with cloud storage. To begin with, all your files are synced and hence could be accessed across various platforms. Then there’s the obvious advantage of no storage space consumption. Collaboration with other users, easy sharing of files, and the ability to access them as and when required are some of the other benefits.

However, not everyone seems to be able to make full use of these features, when it comes to the Microsoft offering. There have many complaints from the user that they aren’t able to download files from OneDrive. Even across the Microsoft Forums, we have seen such errors lined up. In that regard, this guide will come in handy. Today we will list out all the possible reasons for this error, and the steps to fix them. Follow along for the instructions.

How to Fix | Cannot Download File From OneDrive

There could be quite a few reasons for the aforementioned issue. In most cases, it is attributed to a faulty network connection. Along the same lines, restrictive File Permissions or other limiting features such as battery saver and network throttle could also result in the said error. Issues with the Windows App Store or the linked primary account could also result in this error. So here are the different methods to fix the cannot download files from OneDrive issue.

Fix 1: Check Internet Connection

To begin with, more often than not, the issue stems out from an interrupted or slow internet. In this regard, you could switch over to a wired network from wireless (or vice versa), share your device’s carrier network via Hotspot or try restarting the router. However, if everything’s well and good from your end, then you should check out the server status of OneDrive.

If there are any server issues in your region, then all you could do is wait until the issue is rectified. Furthermore, you could also keep a check on Microsoft 365 Status Twitter handle and keep yourself updated regarding the type of issue and its estimated time of fix. Keep these tips in mind and you should be able to fix the cannot download files from OneDrive issue.

Fix 2: Check File Permissions

You should also make sure that the file is available for everyone to download. In some cases, the uploader puts some restrictions in place and only allows limited users to download the file. If that is the case, then you might have to contact the uploader and request him/her to grant the file access. After this, retry downloading the file from OneDrive, and the issue might be rectified. If not, here are some other workarounds that you could try out.

Fix 3: Disable Battery Saver

Not many would be aware of this, but if your PC is on a Battery Saver mode, then OneDrive will pause its sync functionality. So if you are running low on battery, then plug in the charger right away. However, if you prefer to use your PC always in battery saver mode to preserve battery juice, then it’s better you disable this OneDrive’s ‘Pause Sync’ feature. Follow the below steps for that:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon situated in the taskbar and select Settings.
   
2. Select Help & Settings from the bottom bar.
3. Then under the Settings tab, uncheck the “Automatically pause sync when this device is on a battery saver mode” option.
   

Finally, click OK and see if it fixes the cannot download files from OneDrive issue.

Fix 4: Disable Network Throttle

OneDrive also has the option to limit the maximum speed of data transfer. This might, however, cause an issue or two when it comes to downloading files, especially the ones that weigh in a few GBs. So if you are having a fast uninterrupted network, then you should consider disabling this option. Here’s how it could be done:

1. Right-click on One Drive from the taskbar and select Help & Settings.
2. Then head over to the Settings tab and uncheck the option.
3. Next up, go to the Network section and select Don’t Limit under Upload Rate as well as Download Rate.
4. Click OK to save the settings.

Now launch the app and check whether the cannot download files from OneDrive issue has been rectified or not.

Fix 5: Using Command Prompt

In some instances, if the local app data of OneDrive gets corrupted, then there are bound to be a few issues. The best bet, in this case, is to reset OneDrive to its default settings and then update to the app’s latest build. All of these tasks could easily be carried out from the CMD window itself, here’s how:

1. Launch Command prompt from the Start menu as an administrator
   
2. Type in the below command to reset OneDrive:

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

3. Finally, execute the following command to install the latest version:

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\update

4. When it’s done, restart your PC.

Once it reboots, check if the OneDrive’s cannot download files issue has been fixed or it’s still there. If the latter is the answer, then here are some other tips to try out.

Fix 6: Troubleshoot Windows App Store

if you have downloaded the app from Windows App Store, then if there are any issues with the store, there could be issues with its installed app as well. While manually investigating this issue could be a tough job, you don’t have to do much in this regard. By using the built-in Windows Troubleshooter, you could diagnose the issue and let the tool fix the issues on your behalf. Here are the required instructions for the same:

1. Head over to the Start menu and search for Troubleshoot Settings.
2. Within that, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Windows Store Troubleshooter
3. Then click on Run the troubleshooter. The tool will now scan for all the issues related to all the apps, including OneDrive.
   
4. Once the appropriate fixes have been applied. it will prompt you to restart the PC.

Do as instructed and then after the reboot, your issue pertaining to cannot download files from the OneDrive might have been fixed.

Fix 7: Re-Link your Account

In some cases, the issue might be related to the account linked with this cloud storage service. As a result, you could unlink the primary account and then relink it. This will refresh all the account settings and should fix your issue as well. Follow along for the steps.

1. Right-click on One Drive from the taskbar and select Help & Settings.
2. Now go to the Account section and click Unlink this PC.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the account from the OneDrive.
4. Once that is done, close the app and then relaunch it. It will now ask for your credentials, enter the details of the account that you had unlinked in the earlier step.
5. This will resync all the associated files and settings and might fix the issue as well.

With this, we conclude the guide on how to fix the cannot download files from OneDrive issues. All in all, we have shared seven different tips. Do let us know in the comments which method managed to work out in your favor. Rounding off, here are some iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Trick that you should have a look at.