How to Resolve Problems When OneDrive Won’t Download Files?

You may encounter issues downloading files from OneDrive if the app installation is damaged, if there is an inconsistency with your OneDrive account linking, or if the app is misconfigured.

When downloading folders from the OneDrive app, you can right-click on the folder and select ‘Download’ from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can use the ‘Download’ button after selecting the files or folders.

If the aforementioned instructions did not resolve your issue, please refer to the solutions below to troubleshoot the OneDrive Download not working problem.

1. Turn Off Files On-Demand

Files On-Demand is a OneDrive feature that allows you to save storage space by making files accessible online. These files are not stored locally on your computer; however, you can access them while connected to the internet.

You can deactivate this feature to compel OneDrive to download all files to your system. This setting is unique to each device, so you will need to perform the following steps for each system:

1. First, open the OneDrive app by clicking its icon on the taskbar.
2. Then, click the Settings icon in the top right corner.

   

3. Click the Advanced settings option in the Sync and backup tab.

   

4. Next, click the Download all files option.

   

5. This action should download your OneDrive data to your PC.

2. Relink OneDrive Account

An issue with account linking can prevent downloading files to your computer. Often, unlinking and then relinking your Microsoft account with OneDrive can resolve these issues.

1. Open the OneDrive app by clicking its icon on the taskbar.
2. Click the Settings icon.

   

3. Switch to the Account tab.
4. Select the Unlink this PC option to disconnect your account.

   

5. Next, press the Win key + R to open the Run dialog box.
6. Copy and paste “%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings” into the Run box and press Enter.

   

7. A File Explorer window will appear.
8. Find the PreSignInSettingsConfig.json file and delete it.

   

9. Afterward, open the Start Menu and search for OneDrive. Open it.
10. Sign in to your OneDrive account to check whether you can now download files.

3. Reset OneDrive

Sync issues can sometimes cause OneDrive to fail to download files. Resetting OneDrive on your PC can help resolve this issue by forcing the app to sync again and potentially isolating the problem.

1. Open the Run dialog by pressing the Win + R keys on your keyboard.
2. Type “wsreset.exe” into the Run dialog and press Enter.

   

3. Wait as a blank Command Prompt window appears, along with the Microsoft Store. After approximately 5-10 seconds, close the Microsoft Store window. The Command Prompt window should close automatically.
4. Press Win key + R again to open the Run dialog box.
5. Type one of the following commands to reset OneDrive, depending on the installation directory of the program on your system. If you see a “Windows cannot find…” error message, the specified file path is incorrect. Continue trying the next command until the error message no longer displays upon execution.

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset 
   C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset 
   C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

   

6. Finally, search for OneDrive in the Start Menu and open it to see if the problem persists.

4. Reinstall OneDrive

If resetting OneDrive does not solve the issue, it may be due to a corrupted installation. Reinstalling the OneDrive app could be the solution.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Win key + I on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to Apps > Installed Apps.

   

3. Search for OneDrive in the list of apps.
4. Click the three dots icon next to it and select Uninstall.

   

5. After uninstalling OneDrive, download it from the official website here. Please note that the version available in the Microsoft Store is no longer supported, thus it is not recommended for installation.

5. Use OneDrive via Browser

As a last resort, if the OneDrive app is not functioning properly, you can use OneDrive through a web browser. This should enable you to download any necessary files and folders without further complications.

Accessing OneDrive through your web browser can be a reliable alternative when you are unable to download your data through the app on your PC. To use OneDrive via your web browser, simply visit the official website here and log in to your account.