Fix Error 0x8007016a OneDrive Cloud File Provider Issue Guide

Seeing error 0x8007016a when you try to open, move, or delete files is frustrating and can stop your work in its tracks. This article explains what error 0x8007016a means, why it happens and gives clear, safe step-by-step fixes you can follow on Windows 10 or Windows 11. You will learn how to recover files, resolve the underlying OneDrive sync issue and prevent the problem from coming back.

Table of Contents

Key takeaways at a glance

Error 0x8007016a means the cloud file provider is not running or is not responding.
The issue often involves OneDrive sync, Files On Demand settings, power plan or a corrupted sync state.
Fixes include toggling Files On Demand, resetting OneDrive, restarting cloud services and removing problematic folders safely.

What is Error 0x8007016a

Error 0x8007016a appears when Windows cannot communicate with the cloud file provider that manages files stored in the cloud but shown in File Explorer. Practically, that means a file appears on your PC, but the system cannot download, open, move or delete it because the sync bridge is not running or is misconfigured. The message often reads The cloud file provider is not running.

Common scenarios where you may see this error

When you try to open a file marked as online only in a OneDrive folder.
When you try to move or delete a folder that still contains cloud-only items.
When OneDrive sync is paused, stopped or stuck after a Windows update.

Why Error 0x8007016a Happens: Causes Explained

Understanding the root causes helps you pick the best fix. Below are the most common triggers.

OneDrive sync or cloud provider is not running

If the OneDrive app or the Windows cloud file provider service is stopped or crashes, File Explorer cannot fetch the actual file. Restarting or resetting OneDrive usually helps.

Files On Demand feature

Files On Demand lets you see files without downloading them first. When Files On Demand is active, files can be online only and require the cloud provider to download them on demand. If that provider is not running, attempts to open, delete or move these files fail with error 0x8007016a.

Corrupted OneDrive state or config

A corrupted sync database or broken OneDrive installation can cause the cloud bridge to fail and trigger the error. Reset or reinstall OneDrive to clear the corrupted state.

Power plan and battery saver interference

Aggressive power saving can suspend background sync services, so cloud files become inaccessible until the service resumes. Laptops on power saver plans are a common setting to check.

Problematic Windows updates

Certain Windows updates or bugs in older OS builds have been linked to OneDrive file access issues. Installing the latest Windows updates can resolve these conflicts.

Symptoms You Will See

File Explorer error when opening, copying, moving or deleting cloud-synced files.
The OneDrive icon shows a paused or not syncing status.
Some apps, such as Excel or other Office apps, fail to open cloud-linked files.
Error text may include the numeric code 0x8007016a and the phrase cloud file provider is not running.

Before You Start, Quick Safety Checks

Before making changes, follow these safe checks

Confirm your files are saved in the cloud portal or web interface to avoid data loss. If the files exist online, you can always restore them.
Note any work in progress and close apps that may lock files, such as Word, Excel or other editors.
If you are on a corporate or managed device, contact IT if policy prevents signing out of accounts or uninstalling apps.

Step-by-step Fixes: How to Fix Error 0x8007016a

Proceed with these steps, starting from the simplest and moving toward the more advanced. Most users find the issue resolved within the first three fixes. Each major action includes the reason and how it helps.

Fix 1: Restart OneDrive and resume sync

Why this works

Restarting forces the cloud file provider to relaunch and reestablish connections so files can be accessed.

How to do it

Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the taskbar’s notification area.
Select Help and Settings, then choose Close OneDrive or Quit OneDrive.
Wait a few seconds, then open OneDrive again from the Start menu or run OneDrive directly.
Check the OneDrive status and try your file action again.

Fix 2: Toggle Files On Demand off, then on

Why this works

Turning Files On Demand off forces OneDrive to download files locally, so Windows no longer depends on the cloud file provider for every access. This often bypasses the problem temporarily while you reset or fix the sync agent.

How to do it

Click the OneDrive icon, then Help and Settings, then Settings.
Under Settings or Sync and back up, go to Files On Demand.
Uncheck Save space and download files as you use them, or select Download all OneDrive files now.
Confirm and allow files to download. Once local copies exist, retry the file operation.

Fix 3: Resume or enable OneDrive sync

Why this helps

Sometimes sync is paused, or accounts are unlinked, and the OneDrive client needs to be re-enabled.

How to do it

Open OneDrive Settings.
If Sync is paused, select Resume syncing. If your account is unlinked, sign in again.
Allow the initial sync to finish, then try your file action again.

Fix 4: Restart the Cloud Files Provider service from the services list

Why this works

The cloud file provider appears in Windows Services. Restarting that service can restore the bridge between File Explorer and cloud-stored files.

How to do it

Press Windows key and R, then type services.msc and press Enter.
Find a service named Cloud Files Provider or similar. Right-click and choose Restart or Start if stopped.
If a restart works, test the file operation again.

Fix 5: Reset the OneDrive sync client

Why this works

Reset clears the OneDrive local configuration and forces a fresh full sync without losing files stored in the cloud. This often resolves corrupted state issues.

How to do it

Press the Windows key and R to open Run.
Paste this exact command, then press Enter
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Wait a few minutes for the client to reset. The OneDrive icon may disappear, then reappear. If it does not restart automatically, run %localappdata%\➔ Microsoft\➔ OneDrive\➔ onedrive.exe.
Allow sync to complete, then retry your file action.

Important notes about resetting

Reset disconnects local sync links, but files stored in the cloud remain safe. After the reset, you must sign in again for each user profile where OneDrive is used.

Fix 6: Reinstall OneDrive

Why this works

A fresh installation replaces corrupted binaries and resets system integrations that may block the cloud provider from running.

How to do it

Open Apps and Features or Programs and Features.
Uninstall Microsoft OneDrive.
Restart the computer.
Install OneDrive using the latest installer for your Windows version and sign in.
Let sync finish, then test file operations.

Fix 7: Change power plan and battery settings

Why this helps

Power saving modes can suspend background sync services so they cannot respond when File Explorer asks for a file.

How to do it

Open Settings, then System, then Power and Battery or Control Panel Power Options.
Select Balanced or High Performance rather than Power Saver.
On laptops, set the option to not suspend apps when on battery and allow background activity for OneDrive.
Restart OneDrive, then test the files.

Fix 8: Use PowerShell or the command line to remove stubborn files or folders

Why this helps

If a specific folder is stuck because it still contains cloud-only items, you can remove those items with administrative command line tools without the File Explorer UI blocking you. Use caution and keep backups.

How to delete a folder forcefully using PowerShell

Open PowerShell as administrator.
Run Remove-Item -LiteralPath ‘C:\path\to\folder’ -Recurse -Force, replacing the path with the folder you want to remove.
If you are not sure, use Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath ‘C:\path\to\folder’ -Recurse first to inspect contents.

Warning

PowerShell deletion is permanent for the local files you delete. Confirm the folder contents are backed up or present in the cloud web interface before running forced deletes.

Fix 9: Delete the problematic folder after moving its contents

Why this helps

Creating a new folder, moving cloud-synced items into it, and then deleting that parent often bypasses the stuck metadata that prevents deletion. Community reports show this trick works when other fixes do not.

How to do it

Create a new empty folder outside OneDrive.
Move the files from the stuck folder into that new folder or into a temporary location.
Delete the original folder. If it still fails, try PowerShell deletion or resetting OneDrive, then delete.

Fix 10: Install Windows updates and OneDrive updates

Why this helps

Microsoft occasionally releases fixes for cloud integration. Installing available updates removes known bugs that can cause error 0x8007016a.

How to do it

Open Settings, then Windows Update, and choose Check for updates.
Restart after updates are installed.
Reopen OneDrive and check whether the error persists.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Cases

If you tried the standard steps and the error persists, try these advanced options. These require more care and administrative rights.

Check and repair system files

Run System File Checker and DISM to repair Windows components that OneDrive depends on

Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Run sfc /scannow, wait for completion.
If issues remain, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, then reboot.
These commands can fix corrupted Windows files that affect cloud file provider behaviour.

Inspect OneSyncSvc and per-user cloud services

OneSyncSvc and related per-user sync services handle mail contacts and other account sync tasks. If these per-user services are disabled, some sync features may not work properly. Use services.msc and check per-user services, or consult your IT admin before changing OneSyncSvc settings on managed devices.

Clean up OneDrive registry and leftover entries

If OneDrive was removed by a cleanup script or third-party tool, there may be leftover registry keys that confuse Windows. Only advanced users should edit the registry. Back up the registry first. The goal is to remove invalid OneDrive entries, then reinstall cleanly. Community resources show residual registry keys can recreate repeated errors after reinstall.

Recovery options if files appear corrupted

If a file stored locally is corrupted and fails to open even after sync fixes, try these options

Open the file from the OneDrive web portal and download a fresh copy.
Use Office version history or restore previous versions via the cloud interface if available.
If the file is important and corrupted locally, consider using file recovery tools or contacting Microsoft support for business accounts.

Pros and Cons of Common Fixes

Reset OneDrive Pros

Often fixes corruption without data loss.
Reestablishes correct sync state.

Reset OneDrive Cons

You must sign in again and reselect folders to sync.
Sync may take time on large accounts.

Disabling Files On Demand Pros

Forces local copies to download so files are accessible immediately.

Disabling Files On Demand Cons

Uses local disk space. Not ideal for devices with small drives.

Reinstall OneDrive Pros

Replaces problematic files and system hooks.

Reinstall OneDrive Cons

Reconfiguration required, and registry leftovers may remain if the uninstall is incomplete.

Real-World Tips and User-Reported Tricks

Create a new folder, move affected files into it, then remove the original folder. This trick has helped several users remove stuck directories.
If OneDrive is removed but you still see error 0x8007016a, the system may have orphaned cloud placeholders. Reinstall OneDrive temporarily to clear placeholders, then uninstall cleanly if desired.
Check forums for recent updates related to issues before trying risky fixes. Community threads often reveal a simple temporary workaround until a patch arrives.

Preventing Error 0x8007016a in Future

Follow these best practices to reduce the chance of recurrence

Keep Windows and OneDrive updated.
Avoid aggressive power saver profiles on laptops when using cloud sync.
Regularly check OneDrive status and sign in to verify sync is running.
Use Files On Demand only when necessary and understand its implications for access.
Keep a periodic local backup of critical files to avoid dependency on a single sync system.

What to do if You Cannot Delete Files, Error 0x8007016a, and Delete Issues

If the delete fails, try this safe flow

Pause sync in OneDrive.
Move files out of the folder to a new location outside OneDrive.
Try to delete the original folder using File Explorer. If it still fails, open PowerShell as admin and run Remove-Item for that path.
If items were removed from only the local machine, but remain in the cloud, restore them from the web portal.

If your device was joined to an old organisation account and files are locked by that account, community reports show a full profile cleanup or a fresh Windows install may be needed when account recovery is impossible. That is a last resort, and you should consult a data recovery professional before wiping a device.

When to Ask for Professional Help

Contact Microsoft support or your IT department when

Files are missing from both the cloud and the local device.
You see repeated errors after reinstall, reset and updates.
You are on a managed device, and company policy prevents local fixes.
You need guaranteed data recovery for critical files. Official support can run server-side checks and account-level diagnostics that you cannot perform locally.

Conclusion

Error 0x8007016a means the cloud file provider is not running, and it usually involves OneDrive sync, Files On Demand or a corrupted sync state. Start with simple steps like restarting OneDrive, toggling Files On Demand and resuming sync. If those do not work, reset OneDrive and, if needed, reinstall. For stubborn folders, use PowerShell or the move and delete technique. Keep Windows and OneDrive updated and avoid aggressive power saver modes to reduce the chance of recurrence.

If you tried the fixes in this guide and still see error 0x8007016a, leave a comment with your exact symptoms and Windows version, and I will help you troubleshoot further.

FAQs About Error 0x8007016a

Q1. What exactly does error 0x8007016a mean?

Ans: The message states that the cloud file provider is not running, so Windows cannot access or manage files that are only stored in the cloud.

Q2. Will resetting OneDrive delete my cloud files?

Ans: No resetting. OneDrive clears local sync settings and forces a fresh sync. Your files stored in the cloud remain safe.

Q3. Can I delete a stuck folder without losing data?

Ans: Yes, move its contents to a safe backup location or download copies from the web portal before using PowerShell to remove the stuck folder.

Q4. Does this error affect Office apps like Excel?

Ans: Yes, Office apps may fail to open cloud-only files when the cloud file provider is not running. Downloading a local copy or fixing OneDrive sync resolves the issue.

Q5. Is OneSyncSvc related to this error?

Ans: OneSyncSvc handles per-user sync tasks for mail contacts and related services. It is part of the overall sync ecosystem, and if per-user services are not running, they can contribute to sync problems, but the primary issue for 0x8007016a is the cloud file provider used by OneDrive. Consult services.msc and your IT admin before changing OneSyncSvc settings.

Q6. I removed OneDrive, but still get error 0x8007016a, what now?

Ans: Orphaned cloud placeholders or registry leftovers can remain. Reinstall OneDrive temporarily to clear placeholders, then use a proper uninstall procedure or run the cleanup steps recommended by Microsoft or your IT staff.

Q7. Where can I find the OneDrive reset command?

Ans: Open Run and enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset or try the Program Files path if needed. After reset, restart OneDrive.

Q8. I am on Windows 11. Is this guide relevant?

Ans: Yes, the same principles apply to Windows 11. Follow the OneDrive settings reset, reinstall, and Files On Demand steps described above, and keep Windows updated.