OneDrive Cloud File Provider Not Running? 6 Easy Fixes October 2025

Are you seeing the frustrating “onedrive cloud file provider not running” error message when trying to access your files? This annoying error (code 0x8007016A) can stop you from deleting, moving, or even opening your own files. The good news? You can fix this cloud file provider not running error in just a few minutes using simple methods that actually work.

This error happens when Windows can’t connect to OneDrive’s cloud file system. Think of it like trying to use a phone that’s turned off – the service is there, but it’s not running properly.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to fix the onedrive cloud file provider not working issue using methods that have helped thousands of users get back to their files.

What Does “Cloud File Provider Not Running” Mean?

When you see “the cloud file provider is not running” error, it means Windows can’t talk to OneDrive’s file system. The cloud file provider is like a bridge between your computer and Microsoft’s cloud storage. When this bridge is down, you can’t access your cloud files properly.

This microsoft cloud provider not running error typically appears when:

• You try to delete files from your OneDrive folder
• You attempt to move or copy cloud files
• Applications try to access files stored in OneDrive
• Your computer starts up and OneDrive fails to connect

The error code 0x8007016A specifically points to a communication breakdown between Windows and OneDrive’s cloud services. Don’t worry – this is usually a software issue, not a problem with your actual files.

Common Causes of the Cloud File Provider Error

Understanding why your onedrive cloud provider not running error occurs helps you fix it faster. Here are the main reasons:

OneDrive Sync is Disabled

The most common cause is that OneDrive syncing is turned off. When sync is disabled, the cloud file provider can’t connect to Microsoft’s servers.

Files On-Demand Feature Enabled

OneDrive’s Files On-Demand feature can sometimes cause conflicts. This feature lets you see all your files without downloading them, but it can trigger the cloud provider not running error.

Windows Update Issues

Bad Windows updates, especially the KB4457128 update, are known to cause this problem. When updates go wrong, they can break the connection between Windows and OneDrive.

Corrupted OneDrive Files

Sometimes, OneDrive’s system files get corrupted. This corruption prevents the cloud file provider from starting properly.

Power-Saving Mode Restrictions

If your computer is in power-saving mode, it might shut down the OneDrive service to save energy, causing the cloud file provider not running error.

OneDrive Not Properly Installed

If OneDrive was uninstalled incorrectly or never installed properly, you’ll see this error when trying to access cloud files.

How to Fix OneDrive Cloud File Provider Not Running?

Let’s fix your onedrive cloud file provider not working issue with these proven solutions. Start with the first method and work your way down if needed.

Solution 1: Enable OneDrive Sync (1 Minute)

The onedrive cloud file provider not running error often happens because syncing is turned off.

Here’s how to turn it back on:

1. Click the Start menu and type “OneDrive”
2. Click on the OneDrive app to open it
3. If prompted, sign in to your Microsoft account
4. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar (bottom right corner)
5. Click “More” and then “Settings”
6. Go to the “Sync and backup” tab
7. Make sure “Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows” is checked
8. Click “OK” and restart your computer

This simple fix resolves about 30% of cloud file provider not running error cases.

Solution 2: Disable Files On-Demand (2 Minutes)

The Files On-Demand feature can trigger the cbackup cloud file provider not working issue.

Here’s how to disable it:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar
2. Click “More” and then “Settings”
3. Go to “Sync and backup” > “Advanced settings”
4. Uncheck the box next to “Files On-Demand”
5. Click “OK”
6. Restart your computer

This tells OneDrive to download all your files instead of just showing them, which often fixes the cloud provider not running error.

Solution 3: Update Windows (5 Minutes)

Outdated Windows can cause the onedrive cloud file provider not running error. Here’s how to update:

1. Click the Start menu and select “Settings” (gear icon)
2. Click “Update & Security”
3. Click “Windows Update”
4. Click “Check for updates”
5. Install any available updates
6. Restart your computer when prompted

This fix is especially important if you have the problematic KB4457128 update installed.

Solution 4: Reset OneDrive (2 Minutes)

Sometimes, resetting OneDrive fixes the cloud file provider not running error completely:

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard
2. Type: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
3. Press Enter
4. Wait a minute for OneDrive to reset
5. Open OneDrive again and sign in if needed

This command resets OneDrive without losing your files, often resolving the microsoft cloud provider not running issue.

Solution 5: Change Power Settings (1 Minute)

Power-saving mode can cause the onedrive cloud file provider not running error. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Press Windows key + R
2. Type: powercfg.cpl
3. Press Enter
4. Change your power plan from “Power Saver” to “Balanced” or “High Performance”
5. Restart your computer

This prevents Windows from turning off OneDrive to save power, fixing the cloud file provider not running error.

Solution 6: Reinstall OneDrive (5 Minutes)

If nothing else works, reinstalling OneDrive usually fixes the onedrive cloud provider not running issue:

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings
2. Click “Apps”
3. Click “Apps & features”
4. Find “OneDrive” in the list
5. Click it and select “Uninstall”
6. Restart your computer
7. Download OneDrive from Microsoft’s website
8. Install it and sign in to your account

This fresh installation resolves most persistent cloud file provider not running error cases.

Quick Fixes for Specific Scenarios

When OneDrive is Uninstalled But Files Remain?

Sometimes you see the cloud file provider not running error even after uninstalling OneDrive.

Here’s what to do:

1. Create a new folder on your desktop
2. Move all the files from your OneDrive folder to this new folder
3. Delete the empty OneDrive folder
4. You can now access your files normally

This workaround helps when the cbackup cloud file provider not working issue persists after uninstallation.

When Trying to Delete Files

If you get the onedrive cloud file provider not running error when deleting files:

1. Try the solutions above, especially enabling sync
2. If that doesn’t work, move the files to a different location first
3. Then delete them from the new location
4. This bypasses the cloud file provider not running error

When Using Specific Applications

Some applications like games or office programs trigger the cloud file provider not running error. To fix this:

1. Close the application completely
2. Fix OneDrive using the methods above
3. Make sure Files On-Demand is disabled
4. Restart the application
5. Try accessing your files again

Preventing Future Cloud File Provider Errors

Once you’ve fixed the onedrive cloud file provider not running error, here’s how to prevent it from happening again:

Keep Windows Updated

Regularly check for Windows updates. This fixes known issues that cause the cloud provider not running error.

Don’t Disable OneDrive Sync

Keep OneDrive syncing enabled. Disabling sync is the main cause of the cloud file provider not running error.

Be Careful with Files On-Demand

Use Files On-Demand carefully. If you keep having issues, leave it disabled permanently.

Monitor Power Settings

Make sure your computer doesn’t go into deep power-saving mode, which can trigger the microsoft cloud provider not running error.

Regular OneDrive Maintenance

Every few months, reset OneDrive using the reset command mentioned earlier. This keeps it running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The onedrive cloud file provider not running error is frustrating but fixable. We’ve covered all the main solutions: enabling sync, disabling Files On-Demand, updating Windows, resetting OneDrive, changing power settings, and reinstalling OneDrive.

Remember that the cloud file provider not running error usually happens because OneDrive sync is disabled or Files On-Demand is causing conflicts. Start with those simple fixes first.

Your files are safe – this error just blocks access temporarily. Once you fix the microsoft cloud provider not running issue, you’ll be back to normal file operations.

Try these solutions in order, and you’ll likely fix the problem within minutes. If one method doesn’t work, move to the next. Most people resolve their onedrive cloud file provider not working issue by the third method.