- An empty Personal Vault in OneDrive can have many possible causes, but mostly synchronization.
- It’s important to check your connection and sync status before anything else.
- Whether online or a desktop app, there are fixes to try, from signing out and in to checking your subscription status.
Your OneDrive Personal Vault is that special place where you can store files securely, knowing there’s an extra level of ID protection in place. If you find that it’s suddenly empty, apart from panicking, you’re probably going to be wondering how to fix things.
In this article, we’re going to be looking at the OneDrive Personal Vault empty and some troubleshooting tips.
What Causes This Error?
There are a few different reasons that can cause a “OneDrive missing Personal Vault” error, including:
- Synchronization issues with OneDrive are caused by connection or app troubles
- A problem with OneDrive itself, like a bug or glitch
- Your login details have changed, or you’re using a different account
- An expired subscription
- Your files may sadly have been deleted accidentally
How to Fix OneDrive Personal Vault Empty
Let’s take a look at a few fixes to solve things.
Check the Synchronization
Your first stop should be to see whether OneDrive has fully synced. A delay or lack of proper connection is more often than not the cause of issues. Give your PC and OneDrive a few moments to synchronize and test your internet connection to be sure.
Use Another Browser or Device
An empty Personal Vault might be a problem related to your current browser or device. As with most things in life, it’s good to get a second opinion. Try logging into your OneDrive from a different browser or device. If the Personal Vault still remains empty on these devices, it’s time to move on to other solutions.
Confirm Your Subscription
If your OneDrive subscription has expired, you may not have access to your files. The Personal Vault will always be accessible, but when it comes to uploading files, that’s a different matter. You can check your subscription by doing the following:
Step 1. On OneDrive in your browser, click the Settings icon in the top-right corner.
Step 2. In the sidebar, click “Plans and upgrades.”

Step 3. Check your current subscription, and renew or upgrade your plan if it’s expired.
Check the OneDrive Recycle Bin
If your Personal Vault files were deleted, accidentally or otherwise, they will be sent to the OneDrive Recycle Bin for 30 days before deletion. Here’s how to check:
Step 1. In the sidebar of OneDrive, click the Recycle Bin icon.

Step 2. Click “Show Personal Vault items” and browse through the deleted files. If you find any from your Personal Vault, right-click them and select “Restore” from the context menu.
Sign Out and In
If using OneDrive on your PC, you can try to refresh things by signing out of your account and back in. Here’s what to do:
Step 1. Open up your OneDrive via the System Tray.
Step 2. Click the Settings icon and navigate to the “Account” tab in the sidebar.
Step 3. Select the “Unlink this PC” text below the avatar.

Step 4. Once unlinked, open up the OneDrive app again via the search bar.
Step 5. Enter your login details and sign in again.

Reset OneDrive on Your Desktop
If your desktop app is still not cooperating, you can try resetting it. Here’s how:
Step 1. Open the Run dialog (Win + R) and enter “%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset” before pressing “OK.”
Step 2. Restart your computer.