Quick answer
When OneDrive is full, sync stops and saving new files is blocked. Free up space by deleting unnecessary files, emptying the recycle bin and removing large items. Then check usage and upgrade your plan if needed.
How to recognize the problem
- OneDrive shows a red icon with a notification that storage is full
- New files are not syncing and cannot be saved
- In File Explorer, file icons have a red X or a clock
- Signing in to OneDrive shows a quota exceeded message
- Some files are online-only and cannot be opened
Most common causes
Exceeding the free quota
Free OneDrive offers 5 GB, Microsoft 365 Basic 100 GB, and personal and family plans 1 TB per person. If you have many photos or videos, space fills up quickly.
Syncing large folders
Desktop, Documents and Pictures are often synced, which can take up a lot of space if you store large files there.
Duplicates and old versions
The same file is often saved multiple times or old versions exist that may take up space without you realizing.
Recycle bin not emptied
Deleted files remain in the OneDrive recycle bin for up to 30 days, and for business accounts up to 93 days, and still count toward usage.
Shared folders with others
If you share large folders, they count toward your space, even if others modify them.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check storage usage
Open OneDrive in your browser (
onedrive.live.com) and sign in. Click on the storage usage display or open settings and select the option to manage storage. You will see how much space different categories (photos, documents, etc.) take up. - 2
Empty the OneDrive recycle bin
In the OneDrive web interface, select
Recycle binin the left menu. Check the contents before emptying; if you are not sure you do not need the files, make a backup. ClickEmpty recycle binand confirm. This permanently deletes the files and frees up space. - 3
Find and delete large files
In the OneDrive web interface, click
My files, then theSortbutton and selectSize. Click again if needed to get descending order. The largest files will be at the top. Before deleting, check that you do not need those files; if unsure, download them to an external drive first, then delete them. - 4
Remove duplicates
Manually review folders with photos and documents. The same files are often found in multiple copies (e.g.
Image (1).jpg). Before deleting, check that the copies are identical. Delete redundant copies. You can also use the built-in search by name to find identical names. - 5
Turn off syncing of unnecessary folders on your computer
On your computer, right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and select
Settings. Go to theAccounttab and clickChoose folders. Uncheck folders you do not want to sync (e.g.DesktoporDocumentsif you store large files there). This frees up space on your computer, but not in the cloud; the files remain in OneDrive and still count toward your quota. - 6
Move files to another location
If you want to keep the files but not in OneDrive, move them to a local disk or external hard drive. Open File Explorer, find the file in the OneDrive folder, drag it to another location and confirm the move. Before that, check that the copy was moved correctly. OneDrive will remove them from the cloud.
- 7
Free up local space using the `Free up space` feature
In File Explorer, right-click the OneDrive folder and select
Free up space. This makes files available online-only (they do not take up local space), but they still take up space in the cloud. Useful if you want to reduce local usage, not the cloud. - 8
Upgrade your plan if needed
If you still do not have enough space, consider upgrading to a Microsoft 365 plan that offers 1 TB or more. Open account settings and the storage management page, then select the upgrade option. Watch for promotions or family plans where each person gets 1 TB.
If nothing helps: advanced options
If OneDrive remains full even after cleaning, check whether you have folders you share with others that take up space. In the OneDrive web interface, open the Shared section and review items you have shared with others. Also, check whether features such as Camera backup or Backups are enabled that may create additional copies. As a last resort, download all files to a local disk (the Download option in the web interface); before deleting, check that the download completed successfully and that you have a backup, then delete them from OneDrive and re-sync only if you need them. For business accounts, contact your administrator because the quota can be increased through the organizational plan.
How to prevent it
- Regularly empty the OneDrive recycle bin (at least once a month)
- Regularly check large files and duplicates in OneDrive
- Turn off automatic backup of photos and videos if you do not have enough space
- Monitor storage usage in OneDrive settings and plan an upgrade in time
When to call a professional
If you have a business account and cannot access settings or need to increase the quota at the organization level, contact IT support. Also, if you suspect that space is being used by mistake or you have sync problems, an expert can identify the cause faster.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
How much space do I get with Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 personal plan offers 1 TB of OneDrive space, while the family plan offers up to 6 TB (up to 1 TB per person). A free account has 5 GB. Check your plan in account settings.
Does deleting files from OneDrive also delete local copies?
If the files are synced, deleting them in the cloud will also remove them from your computer once sync completes. If you want to keep a local copy, move it outside the OneDrive folder first.
Can I recover deleted files from the OneDrive recycle bin?
Yes, deleted files remain in the recycle bin for up to 30 days (for business accounts up to 93 days). You can restore them by clicking `Restore` next to the file in the recycle bin.