7 Fixes for OneDrive Error 0x80070185 “Cloud Operation Was Unsuccessful”

OneDrive is known mainly for its cloud storage abilities that allow users to sync and save their files, photos, documents, etc., across devices. However, if you’ve been facing the OneDrive error 0x80070185 “Cloud Operation Was Unsuccessful” when downloading or viewing a file, this guide is for you.

The OneDrive error 0x80070185 “Cloud Operation Was Unsuccessful” can be caused by several factors, including an unstable internet connection, corrupted cache files, insufficient storage capacity, and more. So, let us check out 7 tried-and-tested ways to resolve these issues in Windows 11 and access OneDrive files as you want.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

If your internet connection is not working as expected, it might cause OneDrive to glitch. So, you can run a speed test on your Windows 11 device. If the speeds are less than expected, switch to a better network or move your laptop closer to the router.

You can also check our guide to fix slow internet speeds on Windows 11 and get your OneDrive up and running again.

2. Check Hard Drive Storage

If your device’s hard drive does not have enough storage to save the downloaded file, it might cause OneDrive to show the error 0x80070185 “Cloud Operation Was Unsuccessful”. You can check the total space on your Windows hard drive to ensure this is not the case. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Files Explorer.

Step 2: From the side menu, click on This PC.

Step 3: Check storage for the relevant drive.

Now, check if you have enough storage space available. If not, you can delete some files or other unwanted data to free up space on your hard drive. Then, check to see if this has fixed the OneDrive error 0x80070185 in Windows 11.

3. Unlink OneDrive and Relink It

Unlinking and relinking OneDrive is similar to logging out and logging back in. This will remove all your account-related information and pause all sync activity. This will be resumed once OneDrive is relinked with your Microsoft account again.

Use this if you’ve been facing syncing errors, like being unable to access or download files from OneDrive. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Go to taskbar and click on OneDrive.

Step 2: Then, click on the cogwheel icon.

Step 3: Click on Settings.

Step 4: Here, from the menu options, go to Account and click on ‘Unlink this PC’.

Step 5: Now, click on Unlink account.

Step 6: Restart the OneDrive app.

Step 7: Once OneDrive opens again, enter your registered email ID and click on Sign in.

Step 8: Here, enter the Microsoft account password and click on Sign in.

Now, open OneDrive and check if it is working as expected. If not, move on to the next troubleshooting method.

4. Make OneDrive Files Available Offline

If you’re having trouble accessing specific files, you can make them available offline using the Windows Files Explorer. Then, delete the file from the folder again, leaving only the file shortcut. This will make the file available online on OneDrive. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Open the OneDrive folder in Files Explorer.

Step 2: Here, go to the relevant file and right-click.

Step 3: Click on ‘Always keep on this device’.

Step 4: Then, right-click on the file again and, once available, click on ‘Free up space’.

Now, double-click on the file shortcut to try and open the file on your Windows 11 device. You can also repeat these steps for any other OneDrive files.

5. Reset OneDrive

Your device stores cache for some apps, like OneDrive, to help them load faster. However, if this cache is ever corrupted or otherwise compromised, it can cause OneDrive to display the error 0x80070185. To fix this, you can reset OneDrive on Windows 11. Here’s how.

Note: You can also reset OneDrive using the Command Prompt. Simply copy and paste the below command and press the enter key to execute.

Step 1: Open Run using the Windows + R key.

Step 2: Here, enter the following command. 

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset

Step 3: Now, use the enter key or click on OK.

Once the command is executed, use the taskbar to reopen OneDrive. If the OneDrive option doesn’t appear, use the Search menu to open OneDrive and check if the error is resolved.

6. Disable Windows Defender

While Windows Defender helps in protecting your PC from threats and viruses, it can end up restricting activities for certain apps in certain cases. This can also be why you’re seeing the error 0x80070185 in OneDrive. To fix this, try disabling Windows Defender and check again. 

However, we recommend doing this with a side of caution, as disabling Windows Defender will leave your PC vulnerable. So, if you see that OneDrive is working as expected, you can instead add an exception for OneDrive and enable Windows Defender again. 

7. Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive

Uninstalling OneDrive will help you in getting rid of any unwanted settings or bugs preventing you from fetching or downloading your files. Once done, you can reinstall a fresh copy of OneDrive and try again. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Go to Search and type Add or remove programs. Now, open the app from the search results.

Step 2: Here, locate Microsoft OneDrive 

Step 3: Then, click on the three-dot icon in front of it.

Step 4: Click on Uninstall.

Step 5: Click on Uninstall to confirm.

This should start the uninstallation process for OneDrive. Once done, it is now time to reinstall the OneDrive app on your PC. Here’s how.

Step 6: Click on the below button to OneDrive in Microsoft Store.

Get OneDrive

Step 7: Here, click on ‘Get in Store app’.

Step 8: Click on Get.

Wait for OneDrive to finish reinstalling. Then, open the OneDrive app again and sign in using your Microsoft account details. Now, try to access the file. This should fix the OneDrive error 0x80070185 on your system.

FAQs for Using OneDrive on Windows 11

Fix OneDrive Issues on Windows

Here’s hoping this article helped you fix the OneDrive error 0x80070185 “Cloud Operation Was Unsuccessful” on your Windows 11 device. If you’ve noticed files disappearing from your OneDrive storage, you can also check our explainer to stop OneDrive from automatically deleting files.