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OneDrive stopped working on Mac

Duane Garrett 0 Reputation points
2026-05-23T01:09:25.96+00:00

My MacOS OneDrive app suddenly stopped working. I get the message "OneDrive can't start" and am told to download the app, but I can neither delete the present app or download a new one. The app was recently updated, and I think it has a serious bug.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For education | MacOS
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  1. Hani-Ng 11,315 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-23T06:22:52.13+00:00

    Hi Duane Garrett

    Based on your description, I also found this thread OneDrive for Mac failed to launch after update - Microsoft Q&A that many users are experiencing the same behavior as you. According to their recommendations, you can try to download the app directly from the Microsoft website instead of the App Store. You might want to try this solution and see if it resolves the issue.

    I hope this information helps.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-05-23T01:09:38.3166667+00:00

    Use the supported OneDrive reset/reinstall steps for macOS and avoid the broken App Store build.

    1. Quit and reset OneDrive
      1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the top menu bar, then go to Preferences > Pause > Quit OneDrive.
      2. Open Finder → Applications.
      3. Control‑click OneDrive and select Show Package Contents.
      4. Go to Contents > Resources.
      5. Double‑click ResetOneDriveApp.command (or ResetOneDriveAppStandalone.command if using the standalone app).
      6. Start OneDrive again from Applications and complete the setup.
      This clears many launch/startup issues without removing the app.
    2. If OneDrive still will not start, fully reinstall from Microsoft (not the Mac App Store)
      1. Drag the OneDrive app from Applications to the Trash.
      2. Empty the Trash if macOS allows it.
      3. Download the latest Microsoft OneDrive sync app directly from the Microsoft website using the installer link in the documentation, not from the Mac App Store.
      4. Open the downloaded installer, then sign in and set up OneDrive again.
      A recent App Store update can fail; using the Microsoft download instead has resolved this exact “OneDrive can’t start – download the application on this computer and try again” issue for other Mac users.
    3. If the icon is missing and OneDrive appears not to run at all
      1. In Applications, locate OneDrive.
      2. Right‑click OneDrive → Show Package Contents.
      3. Go to Contents > Resources and run the reset script as above.
      4. Then start OneDrive and complete setup.

    If older OneDrive builds do not contain the reset commands, remove that app (drag to Trash) and install the latest OneDrive app using the Microsoft download link in the documentation.

    References:

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