Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: OneDrive for Business giving 'Credentials Needed' error on every file

OneDrive for Business sync error fix

Quick Answer: Try resetting OneDrive's credentials by going to Settings > Sync settings > Advanced > Reset credentials.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes
  3. 🎯 Final Words

OneDrive for Business users are experiencing an error where it displays 'Credentials Needed' when trying to sync files, despite having changed their password. This issue affects individuals who use OneDrive with Office 2013 and have recently updated their password.

This error is frustrating because it prevents users from syncing all their files, even though the folder structure still syncs correctly. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve this issue and get your files synced again.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that OneDrive is unable to authenticate with the user's credentials due to a mismatch between the password stored in Windows Credential Manager and the new password. This can happen when a user changes their password, but fails to update the credentials in the correct location.
  • Another possible cause is that there are conflicting credentials or corrupted data stored in OneDrive. In some cases, this error may also be related to a misconfigured Office 2013 installation or issues with Windows updates.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Resetting Credentials and Reconfiguring OneDrive

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Log out of your Office 365 account and remove all credentials from the Windows Credential Manager. This can be done by going to Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials, and then clicking 'Remove' next to your OneDrive credentials.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Re-add your OneDrive credentials by going back to the Windows Credential Manager and adding a new entry for OneDrive. You will need to enter your username and password again to create a new set of credentials.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Once you have re-added your credentials, try syncing your files again. If you still encounter issues, proceed to the next step.

Repairing OneDrive and Reconfiguring Library Sync

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open OneDrive for Business and click on the 'Settings' icon (gear icon) in the top right corner. Select 'Sync settings' and then click 'Repair'. This will repair any corrupted data stored in OneDrive.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Restart OneDrive for Business and try syncing your files again. If you still encounter issues, proceed to the next step.

🎯 Final Words

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'Credentials Needed' error in OneDrive for Business and get your files synced again. Remember to always update your credentials regularly to avoid this issue in the future.

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