How to Easily Fix 'Cant Open Files from OneDrive' Error (5 Ways)

Why Can’t Open Files from OneDrive?

OneDrive is popular among many users as a tool for storing, synchronizing and sharing files in different formats (Word documents, Excel files and other types of data). However, some users have reported that they encountered the problem about can't open files from OneDrive. And they receive this error message “Make sure OneDrive is running on your PC, then try again.”

So why can't you open files in OneDrive? This article summarizes the following common reasons for you.

• Limited file permissions.
• Too much cached data on your program.
• Incorrect file access settings.
• Internal issues with your program.

How to Fix Can’t Open Files from OneDrive

Once you understand the reasons, you can learn 5 methods to fix the “can’t open OneDrive files on PC” error in the article. Each method is filled with a graphic tutorial. I believe there is always a method that will help you achieve the goal. Keep reading for more details.

Fix 1. Check OneDrive File Permissions

The first approach is to check file permissions. Maybe the file creator revoked the permissions on your account, but the file or folder is still showing up in OneDrive. So you need to make sure you still have permission to access that file. Please follow the steps below.

Step 1. Open OneDrive.

Step 2. Locate and select the file you want to open.

Step 3. Check whether you see the Has Access panel at the top right. If your name is not on the list anymore, you’ll lose access to that file.

Fix 2. Enable the OneDrive Sync

You may also experience issues with OneDrive unable to open files if OneDrive syncing is paused. In this case, you might be able to fix the problem by re-enabling OneDrive sync.

Step 1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system’s tray to open OneDrive.

Step 2. Select Help & Settings, then click Settings.

Step 3. Uncheck Automatically pause sync when this device is in battery save mode and then click OK.

Also, you can go to Help & Settings > Resume syncing to let the sync complete.

Fix 3. Disable Files On-Demand

OneDrive has a Files On-Demand feature that helps users save disk storage space. However, this feature may also cause the issue of cannot open file on OneDrive, because the file is not available locally, and a network failure may prevent the file from loading. In this case, you can try disabling the File On-Demand feature to fix the problem.

Step 1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.

Step 2. Select Settings from the pop-up menu.

Step 3. Go to the Settings tab at the top. Find Files On-Demand and uncheck Save space and download files as you use them. Then click OK.

Step 4. Restart your computer and see if the problem is solved. If not, you should double click on the OneDrive icon > select the problematic file > right-click on the file > Always keep on this device. This will make a file or folder available offline.

Fix 4. Disable Storage Sense

Storage Sense is a Windows feature whose purpose is the same as Files On-Demand mentioned in the previous method, both to save storage space on your computer. If the file you want to access has not been opened for a long time, you'd better turn off Storage Sense. You can follow the steps below.

Step 1. Press Win + I key together to open Settings.

Step 2. Then click System > Storage.

Step 3. Turn on the Storage sense by clicking the Off button.

Fix 5. Reset the OneDrive

If the contents of the OneDrive folder or the OneDrive installation itself is corrupted, you may encounter a situation where files cannot be opened from OneDrive. Then you can try resetting the OneDrive app.

This will not delete any files saved or shared in your OneDrive. It will fix some common OneDrive errors, including that you can't open files saved in it. However, to prevent data loss during the reset process, it is recommended that you backup files to external hard drive before resetting. Then follow the steps below.

Step 1. Press Win +R to open the Run window.

Step 2. Input the command below and hit Enter.

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

Step 3. This process will take some time, please be patient. After the reset is complete, you will need to log back into your OneDrive account.

Note:✎...

The OneDrive cloud icon may temporarily disappear from the system tray, but reappear once the command has finished running. You can also run OneDrive manually from the Start menu if the icon doesn't reappear.   

Bonus Tip: Backup Files Regularly for Better Data Security

In addition to these five ways to solve the problem, this article has an additional bonus tip for you. To avoid data loss caused by similar issues or other issues, you need a free backup software to back up your files regularly.

That way, even if your files don't open in OneDrive, you can back up your files to access your data or use your backup files for quick restores. And AOMEI Backupper Standard is free software that integrates backup and restore functions.   

It can backup files to different destination paths, such as HDD, SSD, USB drive, cloud, network, NAS, etc.

It allows you to set different backup frequencies (Daily/Weekly/Monthly) to automatically backup files.

In addition, it also supports a variety of Windows systems, including Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, etc.

You can download and install this freeware to easily back up your files regularly. If you are a Windows Server user, you can download AOMEI Backupper Server.

Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper and select Backup > File Backup.

Step 2. Click Add File or Add Folder, then select the files or folders to be backed up.

Step 3. Choose a destination location for your backup.

Step 4. Click Schedule Backup in the lower left corner to set the backup frequency according to your needs.

Note:✎...

The free version supports the first 3 options, and the last 2 are available in the Professional version or higher versions.   

Step 5. Confirm all your operations and click Start Backup to backup files regularly for better data security.

Notes:✎...

Options: You can enable email notification, choose the compression level for the backup file and select splitting ways you want, etc.   

Backup Scheme: You can select incremental backup or differential backup. And the differential backup method can restore your scheduled backup easier. You can also enable automatic backup cleanup feature to save disk space. 

Summary

This post explains why you can't open files from OneDrive and 5 ways to fix them. This problem easily creates the risk of losing data. Therefore, to better protect data security, it is recommended that you use the free backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard to backup files regularly. You can choose different backup frequencies and backup paths and then automatically backup files. It also supports the automatic backup cleanup feature to save disk space.

Besides, it can backup system, disks and partitions as well. If you want to restore your system to a computer with different hardware, its Universal Restore feature can also easily help you achieve your goals. You can download this software to explore more functions.