Sign in required we can’t upload or download your changes because your cached credentials expired
Sign-in issues can be frustrating, especially when they prevent users from uploading or downloading important files. The error message “[sign in required we can’t upload or download your changes because your cached credentials expired]” commonly appears in cloud-based services like OneDrive, SharePoint, or other platforms that rely on cached credentials for seamless access to files.
This error typically manifests when the system attempts to authenticate with cached credentials that have become outdated or corrupted, leading to a failed sign-in process. In this article, we will break down the causes of this error, provide troubleshooting methods to resolve it, and share tips for preventing similar issues in the future.
Understanding the Problem
The “sign in required” error indicates that the credentials stored locally (also called cached credentials) have expired or can no longer be used to authenticate the user’s access to their cloud account. Cached credentials allow you to sign in automatically without entering your credentials repeatedly. However, these cached credentials can expire, become corrupt, or become invalid due to various reasons.
Here’s how this problem can manifest for users:
- Delayed file uploads or downloads: If you’re working on a document stored in the cloud, this error might prevent you from uploading changes, which could lead to data loss.
- Automatic sync failure: Many services rely on auto-sync to ensure your files are continuously updated across all devices. When cached credentials expire, syncing halts until the issue is resolved.
- Repeated login prompts: The system might keep asking you to sign in again, even if you’ve entered the correct credentials, creating a loop of frustration.
Common Causes of the Problem
Several factors can contribute to this error, and identifying the right cause is essential for fixing it:
- Expired Access Tokens: Most cloud services rely on access tokens that are stored temporarily and are refreshed periodically. If these tokens aren’t refreshed properly, you may encounter the [sign in required we can’t upload or download your changes because your cached credentials expired] error.
- Changes to Your Account Credentials: If your account password has changed, or if there have been security changes to your account (e.g., two-factor authentication), the cached credentials stored on your device will become invalid.
- Outdated or Corrupted Cached Credentials: Cache files can become corrupt over time or after a system crash, preventing them from working as intended.
- Software Updates: Updates to cloud software or the operating system can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of cached credentials.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the Issue
The following methods can help resolve the “sign in required” error and get your files syncing again.
1. Sign Out and Sign Back In
This is often the simplest and quickest solution.
- Step 1: Open the cloud-based app that’s causing the error (e.g., OneDrive).
- Step 2: Navigate to the account or profile section and choose “Sign Out.”
- Step 3: Close the application completely and restart your device.
- Step 4: Reopen the app and sign in using your credentials again.
In many cases, signing out and signing back in forces the system to refresh its cached credentials.
2. Clear Cached Credentials
Clearing cached credentials can also resolve the issue, particularly if they’ve become corrupted.
- Step 1: On Windows, open the Control Panel and search for Credential Manager.
- Step 2: Select Windows Credentials and find any entries related to your cloud service (e.g., OneDrive or SharePoint).
- Step 3: Remove those credentials by clicking Remove.
- Step 4: Restart your device and sign in to your cloud service again.
This process will force the system to create new, valid cached credentials.
3. Reset the Sync Connection
If the problem persists, resetting the sync connection may help.
- Step 1: Go to the settings of the cloud application (e.g., OneDrive or SharePoint).
- Step 2: Select the Unlink This PC option, which disconnects the sync.
- Step 3: After unlinking, restart the application and relink your account by signing in again.
4. Update the Cloud Application
Outdated software can sometimes cause problems with cached credentials. Ensure that the cloud application you’re using is up to date.
- Step 1: Open the app’s settings or preferences.
- Step 2: Check for available updates and install them.
- Step 3: After updating, restart the app and attempt to sync your files.
5. Check for Operating System Updates
In some cases, an outdated operating system may interfere with cached credentials.
- Step 1: On Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Step 2: Install any pending updates.
- Step 3: Restart your device after the updates and try syncing your files again.
Real-World User Experiences
Users on various forums have reported that this error often pops up after they’ve changed their passwords or installed a significant software update. In many cases, simply signing out and back in solved the issue. However, for some, clearing cached credentials or unlinking and relinking their account proved to be the key to fixing the problem.
One user mentioned on a forum, “I kept getting the [sign in required we can’t upload or download your changes because your cached credentials expired] error after changing my password. Clearing the cached credentials in Credential Manager worked like a charm.”
Another user noted, “I had this issue after a Windows update. A quick update to OneDrive fixed everything.”
Preventing Similar Issues in the Future
Once you’ve resolved the problem, you can take steps to avoid facing this issue again:
- Regularly Update Your Cloud Apps: Keeping your cloud applications up to date ensures they run smoothly and reduces the risk of encountering errors related to cached credentials.
- Sign Out and Sign In After Password Changes: If you ever change your password or make any security-related changes to your account, sign out and back in to refresh your cached credentials.
- Clear Cached Credentials Periodically: Clearing cached credentials every few months can prevent corrupt or outdated credentials from causing problems.
- Stay on Top of Software Updates: Regularly check for updates to your operating system and cloud applications to avoid compatibility issues.
