How to Fix the OneDrive Error Code 0x8004de40 in Windows (2024)

If you’re experiencing the dreaded “There was a problem connecting to OneDrive 0x8004de40" error, you’re not alone. Many users have reported coming across this issue, especially when facing connectivity problems. Several reasons can cause this error, including faulty internet connection, third-party antivirus software, and some settings of your internet connection.

Getting a Microsoft OneDrive 0x8004de40 error is annoying, especially if you are uploading and accessing important files on your computer. However, there's no need to panic. We have listed below several fixes you can do to solve this problem and get your Windows computer up and running in no time.

How to Fix the Microsoft OneDrive 0x8004de40 Error

According to Microsoft, the error "There was a problem connecting to OneDrive 0x8004de40" comes from the app having difficulties connecting to the cloud. Here are some fixes that can solve the connectivity problem.

Related: What Is OneDrive? A Guide to Microsoft’s Cloud Storage Service

1. Check Your Internet Connection

If the Microsoft OneDrive app can’t connect to the cloud, the most common reason is a faulty internet connection. To solve this issue, the first thing you need to do is ensure that your internet connection is running smoothly. Here’s how:

1. If you’re using a LAN or wired connection, make sure that the cables are correctly plugged in. If you’re using Wi-Fi, check whether your router is working properly. You can even restart the router to ensure that the connection is okay.
2. Then, launch your web browser and open a couple of websites. If the browser can load the pages, your internet is properly working, and the issue isn’t from your internet.

If you find something wrong with your internet connection, continue with this guide following steps two and three to fix the issue. If your internet is working just fine, and you’re able to use it for all the programs on your computer except for OneDrive, try steps four to seven to fix the OneDrive 0x8004de40 error.

2. Change Your Windows Computer Internet Properties

As mentioned, your internet connection may be restricting the app from accessing the cloud. Your Windows computer uses a security protocol called Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0 and above that encrypts data sent over the internet. If this protocol is disabled, your OneDrive client won’t function correctly. Changing this setting can help fix the OneDrive 0x8004de40. Here’s how:

1. Open Run by pressing Win + R. In the Run window, type inetcpl.cpl and click OK. This will open the Internet Properties window.

2. 

   From the Internet Properties window, select the Advanced tab.

3. 

   Under Settings, scroll down and check the boxes of the following options: Use TLS 1.0, Use TLS 1.1, Use TLS 1.2. Then, click Apply and OK to save your changes.

4. 

   Reboot your computer and see if the issue persists.

Related: How to Remove Local OneDrive Files Without Deleting Them

3. Disable the Proxy Settings

Your proxy server can sometimes stop Microsoft OneDrive from connecting to the cloud. If you’re unsure whether your Windows device is using a proxy server or not, follow the steps below to check and disable this setting:

1. Press Win + R keys to open Run. In Run, type inetcpl.cpl, and click OK to open Internet Properties.

2. 

   From this window, click the Connections tab.

3. 

   Then, select LAN settings.

4. 

   On your LAN settings, make sure that the Automatically detect settings option is enabled and disable the option for Use a proxy server for your LAN respectively. Next, click OK to save your changes.

5. 

   Restart your PC and see if it fixes the OneDrive error.

4. Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus (If Applicable)

In many cases, your third-party antivirus is causing various errors in some of your programs, including Microsoft OneDrive. Some actions such as OneDrive connecting to the cloud are flagged as threats, which causes them to fail. If you have antivirus software, uninstalling it may fix your OneDrive 0x8004de40 error.

1. Press Win + R keys to open Run. On the Run window, type appwiz.cpl and click OK to open Programs and Features.

2. 

   In this window, scroll down and look for your third-party antivirus software. Next, right-click to it and click Uninstall from the option.

3. 

   Then, follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the program.
4. Once the uninstall process is finished, restart your computer.
5. After your Windows device completely reboots, open OneDrive and check if you’re still receiving the error.

If the issue is fixed after uninstalling your antivirus program, you may want to start using Microsoft's built-in antivirus program instead to protect your computer.

Related: How to Scan for Viruses Without Buying Antivirus Software

5. Reset Windows Socket (Winsock)

Another effective troubleshooting solution for the Microsoft OneDrive 0x8004de40 error is resetting the Windows Socket (Winsock). Winsock handles the input and output requests of internet programs of your Windows device. It is the main reason why the apps on your computer can access the internet. Resetting it can help fix the issue.

1. Press Win + S to open Windows Search and type cmd in the search box. Then, right-click on the Command Prompt search result and click Run as Administrator.

2. 

   In the Command Prompt, type netsh winsock reset catalog and press Enter.

3. 

   After the command is successfully executed, close the window and restart your computer.
4. Once the computer reboots, check if the problem is fixed.

6. Reset OneDrive

If an application in your Windows computer misbehaves or starts to function abnormally, one of the quickest fixes is to reset it. Resetting a program brings it back to its default state and can clear any error. Here’s how you can reset OneDrive:

Important reminder: Resetting Microsoft OneDrive won’t affect your data; it will just re-sync it to the app. However, the action might delete some of your settings and saved preferences. This means that you may have to set up OneDrive from scratch and reconfigure it.

1. Press Win + R to open Run.
2. Copy and paste the command %localappdata%\\Microsoft\\OneDrive\\onedrive.exe /reset into the text box and press OK or hit Enter from your keyboard. This command resets your Microsoft OneDrive app.

3. 

   After resetting the app, restart your computer.
4. Once your computer reboots, open Run again, copy and paste this command %localappdata%\\Microsoft\\OneDrive\\onedrive.exe into the text box and press OK or the Enter key. This will launch OneDrive right away, and the app should run smoothly without any errors.

   

Microsoft OneDrive, Fixed and Connected

If you are using OneDrive to back up all your system’s files, experiencing an error can be terrifying. With the troubleshooting steps above, you can easily fix the Microsoft OneDrive 0x8004de40 error code. But even though there are fixes to several OneDrive issues, it is still best to always have other backups for your files apart from just OneDrive.