One Drive files have become "read only" online using Chrome web browser, why?

Question

One Drive files have become "read only" online using Chrome web browser, why?

Jana K. Walls 0

All my One Drive files have been marked at "read only" using online web browser. I am able to edit the files with the One Drive app on both my phone and tablet. My subscription is active and paid. I have not reached my storage limit. Currently at 85%. I did not change any "permissions" to the files.

Microsoft 365 subscription: Active
OneDrive: 905 GB / 1.03 TB — under quota Account
Personal Phone app: Can delete files OneDrive web
Entire library read-only OneDrive web
No Add New OneDrive web
Crossed-out pencil on files Chrome Incognito
Same problem Different browser session
Not a Chrome cache/cookie issue

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Answer 1

Xavier-D 13,665 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Jana K. Walls,

Thank you for providing the detailed information.

Since the entire OneDrive library is read-only, Add new is unavailable, and the same behavior occurs in Incognito mode and another browser, this does not appear to be a Chrome cache or extension issue.

OneDrive normally allows files to be created and edited in the browser. An entire library becoming read-only can occur when an account is restricted because of its storage or subscription status. However, your account currently shows an active subscription and 905 GB used out of 1.03 TB, so the displayed information does not indicate that you are over quota.

Please check the following:

Confirm that the Microsoft account shown in the upper-right corner of OneDrive.com is the same account that owns the Microsoft 365 subscription.
Open the Microsoft account storage page and check whether it displays any warning that the account is frozen, over quota, or temporarily restricted.
Check the OneDrive Recycle bin and empty it if it contains a significant amount of data, since deleted items may continue to count toward storage.
Sign out of all Microsoft accounts in the browser, close the browser completely, and then sign in again using only the affected account.

Please let us know whether the Microsoft storage page shows any warning or restriction.

Feel free reply back to this post and update me on this issue, I'll be happy to help.

Xavier-D 13,665 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-26T00:17:14.8533333+00:00

Hi Jana K. Walls

I’m following up to check on the status of this issue.

Have you had an opportunity to review the answer shared earlier?

Any update you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Jana K. Walls 0 Reputation points

2026-09-26T01:23:18.4633333+00:00

No. This did not work. I have unlinked all my devices to ensure it wasn't a sync issue. My One Drive on my Macintosh laptop still shows all my files as "read only"
Xavier-D 13,665 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-29T00:22:27.17+00:00
Hi Jana K. Walls

Thank you for confirming.

Since the files are read-only both on OneDrive.com and on your Mac, and unlinking the devices did not resolve it, this no longer appears to be a browser or device-sync issue.

Because your subscription is active and the displayed usage is below your allowance, Microsoft Support will need to check whether an incorrect storage quota or account-level restriction has been applied. Here is how to contact Support:

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, are not allowed to directly interfere with Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited solely to providing technical guidance on reported incidents, requests, or ideas.

Open a website link - Contact - Microsoft Support

In the box below "We're here to help", type Microsoft 365, click "Get Help", and then click "Contact Support" below.

In this section, you will need to sign in to your Microsoft account.

Select "Microsoft 365 and Office" under Products & Services, select "Technical Support" as the category, and click to confirm

You can select " Chat with a support agent in your web browser " to access the chat window.

When contact Microsoft Support and provide the following details:

Your entire OneDrive is read-only on both the web and Mac.

Add new is unavailable on the web.

The issue occurs in multiple browsers, including Incognito mode.

Unlinking your devices did not resolve it.

Your subscription is active and OneDrive shows 905 GB used out of 1.03 TB.