Getting error message "Access to the resource is forbidden" in OneDrive

This message can be problematic since it will prevent you from accessing OneDrive files, but if you want to fix this issue, we advise you to try some of our solutions below.

How can I fix OneDrive Access denied error message?

1. Clear browser cache

Chrome

1. In Chrome, Copy and Paste chrome://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar.
2. Select the Advanced tab in the Clear browsing data window.
3. Select the following forms of browsing data from the list:

• Browsing history
• Download history.
• Cookies and other site data.
• Cached images and files.

4. Select All time from the Time range drop-down menu.
5. Click Clear now.

Microsoft Edge

1. In Edge, Copy and Paste edge://settings/privacy in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Click Choose what to clear in the Clear browsing data section.
3. Select the following forms of browsing data from the list:

• Browsing history
• Download history
• Cookies and other site data
• Cached images and files

4. Select All time from the Time range drop-down menu.
5. Click Clear now.

2. Take ownership of the problematic file or folder in OneDrive

1. Open File Explorer, then click on OneDrive. Locate the directory that you can’t access, right-click it and choose Properties from the menu.
   
2. Go to Security tab and click the Advanced button.
   
3. In the Owner section on the top, click Change.
   
4. Enter your username and click the Check Names button. If everything is in order, click OK to save changes.
   
5. Now check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and click Apply and OK to save changes.
   

After making these changes, you’ll have full ownership over the problematic directory and the Access denied message will be gone.

3. Take ownership of the problematic file or folder in OneDrive

1. Locate the directory you’re trying to access, right-click it and choose Properties from the menu.
2. Navigate to the Security tab and click Edit.
   
3. Now click the Add button.
   
4. Enter the name of the user account that you want to use to access this directory, click Check Names and OK.
5. Select the desired account, and make sure that you check Full control in Allow column.
6. Next, click Apply and OK to save changes.
   

After doing that, you should have full control over the selected directory and everything will start working again.

If you keep getting OneDrive Access denied error message on your PC, the problem might be the lack of Full control privileges.

In order to protect your files from unauthorized access, you can assign different privileges to different users.

4. Make sure that the file isn't encrypted in OneDrive

In some rare instances, OneDrive Access denied error message can appear due to file encryption. 

Encrypting your files is a great way to protect your privacy, but sometimes you won’t be able to access certain files if they are encrypted.

To fix this problem, you need to first decrypt the files and then try to access them.

5. Add the connection to Power BI Desktop file

Select the data source that points to your OneDrive and clear the permissions. Just hit refresh and make sure you select the proper authentication method, for OneDrive or SharePoint online it's either Microsoft account or organizational account. 

1. open a blank Power BI Desktop file
File --> Options and settings --> Data source settings --> Options: Global Permissions
Select the data source that points to your OneDrive and clear the permissions.

2. Open your pbix that has the issues
File --> Options and settings --> Data source settings --> Options: Data sources in current file
Select the data source that points to your Onedrive for business and clear the permissions.

3. Just hit refresh and make sure you select the proper authentication method, for OneDrive or SharePoint.