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OneDrive error 2606 is commonly associated with a proxy authentication failure, but Microsoft does not currently list 2606 as a standalone OneDrive error code. Its error-code documentation instead identifies the message “Your proxy settings require authentication” with codes 0x80048823, 0x8004de42, and 0x8004de44.

The important part is the proxy requirement: Microsoft says authenticated proxies are not supported by OneDrive. Resetting OneDrive can clear damaged local sign-in data, but it cannot make OneDrive use a proxy that requires interactive credentials. If your organization’s proxy requires authentication, an administrator must allow OneDrive traffic without that requirement or provide a different network path.

What causes OneDrive proxy authentication error 2606?

OneDrive can fail during sign-in when its connection is routed through a proxy that asks for a username, password, or another authentication step. The proxy may be:

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  • Configured in Windows or Internet settings
  • Provided automatically by a company network or proxy script
  • Applied by a VPN, endpoint-security product, or web-filtering tool
  • Located upstream on the network, even when no proxy is visibly configured on the PC

Do not assume that the error proves you manually configured a proxy. Microsoft’s documented condition is an authenticated proxy, not specifically a manually entered Windows proxy.

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1. Test OneDrive on another network

This is the quickest way to separate a local OneDrive problem from a network-policy problem.

  1. Disconnect the Windows 11 PC from its current network.
  2. Connect temporarily to a phone hotspot or another network that does not use the same corporate proxy.
  3. Start OneDrive and try signing in again.

If OneDrive works on the alternate connection, the original network, proxy, VPN, or security policy is the likely cause. OneDrive does not provide a supported place to enter proxy credentials. Ask the network administrator to permit OneDrive traffic without interactive proxy authentication, or use an approved network path.

2. Check Windows 11 proxy settings

Checking Windows settings is useful even though an upstream or automatically supplied proxy may not appear here.

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  1. Open Start > Settings.
  2. Select Network & internet.
  3. Select Proxy.
  4. Review Automatically detect settings, Use setup script, and Use a proxy server.

Do not disable a company-managed proxy without approval. If the proxy is required by your organization, changing this setting may violate policy or simply cause other applications to lose network access. If you are troubleshooting a personal PC and recognize an unwanted manual proxy or setup script, disable it, reconnect to the network, and test OneDrive.

Also temporarily test without a VPN or third-party web-filtering application if your organization permits this. These products can route traffic through an authenticated service even when the Windows proxy page looks empty.

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3. Reset the OneDrive Store app

Use this method if your OneDrive installation is the Windows Store app. It resets the app through Windows:

  1. Select Start.
  2. Type apps:onedrive.
  3. Select App settings in the search result.
  4. Scroll to the Reset section.
  5. Select Reset.

Try OneDrive again after the reset. This does not change an authenticated proxy policy, so it will not solve the problem if the network itself requires proxy sign-in.

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4. Reset the OneDrive desktop sync app

The Store-app reset and the desktop sync reset are different operations. To reset the desktop version:

  1. Press Windows key + R to open Run.
  2. Enter the following command exactly:
%localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /reset
  1. Select OK.

If Windows displays “Windows cannot find…”, try these commands in order:

C:Program FilesMicrosoft OneDriveonedrive.exe /reset
C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OneDriveonedrive.exe /reset

If none of the three commands works, Microsoft says the OneDrive sync app is not installed. Install or reinstall the current OneDrive app instead.

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Start OneDrive after resetting

OneDrive may not reopen automatically. Select Start, type OneDrive, and select the OneDrive desktop app.

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A reset does not delete local or cloud files. It disconnects existing sync connections, including personal and work-or-school accounts, and performs a full synchronization after OneDrive starts again. If you previously synchronized only selected folders, configure those choices again after synchronization completes. Personal and work-or-school accounts require separate folder selections.

5. Clear stale OneDrive pre-sign-in data

If the error remains after checking the network and resetting OneDrive, remove the cached pre-sign-in configuration Microsoft identifies for this type of problem:

  1. Press Windows key + R.
  2. Enter:
%localappdata%MicrosoftOneDrivesettings
  1. Select OK.
  2. Delete PreSignInSettingsConfig.json.
  3. Start OneDrive and try the sign-in again.

Delete only the named file. Do not remove the entire OneDrive folder unless a Microsoft support or administrator procedure specifically instructs you to do so.

6. Reset the Windows Settings app for the documented codes

Microsoft lists an additional remedy for 0x8004de44 and 0x80048823. The procedure resets the Windows Settings app:

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  1. Select Start and type Settings, but do not open the Settings app normally.
  2. In the information pane for the result, select App settings.
  3. Under Reset, select Reset.

Restart OneDrive and test sign-in. This is separate from resetting the OneDrive app and from resetting the Microsoft Store cache.

7. Reset the Microsoft Store cache when using the Store version

If the Store installation appears damaged, reset the Store cache:

  1. Press Windows key + R.
  2. Enter:
wsreset.exe
  1. Select OK.

A blank Command Prompt window may open briefly and close. The Microsoft Store then opens automatically. This command resets the Microsoft Store cache; it is not the OneDrive desktop-sync reset. Any unwanted windows can be closed.

8. Reinstall OneDrive

Microsoft recommends reinstalling OneDrive if resetting does not resolve the relevant sign-in problem.

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  1. Open Windows app management. On Windows 11, this is usually Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
  2. Find Microsoft OneDrive.
  3. Open its menu and select Uninstall.
  4. Download the OneDrive app from Microsoft’s official OneDrive download page.
  5. Open the downloaded installer and follow the sign-in and setup prompts.

Uninstalling OneDrive does not delete your OneDrive files or data. Files remain available at OneDrive.com. Before removing the app, allow pending local changes to finish syncing where possible, particularly if you have files that exist only on the PC.

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9. Use the Internet Explorer reset command only with appropriate context

A command frequently repeated in community answers is:

RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ResetIEtoDefaults

Microsoft Q&A contains an accepted anonymous community answer recommending this after signing out, without selecting the personal-settings option. However, this is community guidance—not Microsoft’s current documented OneDrive reset procedure for the proxy-authentication problem. It should not be your first fix, especially on a managed computer, because resetting Internet settings can affect browser and system network behavior.

Recommended order of attack

What you observe Best next step
OneDrive works on a phone hotspot Contact the network administrator about an authenticated proxy or blocked OneDrive traffic.
No proxy is visible, but a VPN or security filter is active Test with the product disconnected if permitted, or ask its administrator whether it intercepts OneDrive traffic.
Only the Store version fails Reset the Store app, then use wsreset.exe if needed.
The desktop sync app fails or will not start Run the OneDrive desktop reset commands and relaunch OneDrive from Start.
Sign-in data appears stuck after a reset Delete PreSignInSettingsConfig.json from the documented settings folder.
Nothing changes after local repairs Reinstall OneDrive, then investigate the network or proxy policy.

Microsoft references

FAQ

Is OneDrive error 2606 an official Microsoft error code?

Microsoft’s current OneDrive error-code page does not list 2606 as a standalone code. The same “Your proxy settings require authentication” condition is documented under 0x80048823, 0x8004de42, and 0x8004de44.

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Can I enter my proxy username and password in OneDrive?

No supported OneDrive setting lets you supply credentials for an authenticated proxy. The proxy must allow OneDrive traffic without interactive authentication, or the device must use a different network or proxy policy.

Will resetting OneDrive delete my files?

No. Microsoft says resetting OneDrive does not delete local or cloud files. It disconnects sync connections and starts a full synchronization after OneDrive is relaunched. Selective-folder choices may need to be configured again.

Why does OneDrive show a proxy error when Windows has no proxy configured?

The connection may use an automatic setup script, corporate network proxy, VPN, security filter, or upstream proxy. Windows’ Proxy page does not necessarily reveal every network device or managed policy involved.

What is the difference between wsreset.exe and the OneDrive reset command?

wsreset.exe resets the Microsoft Store cache. The command %localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /reset resets the OneDrive desktop sync app. They are different operations.

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The Bottom Line

Start by testing OneDrive on another network. If it works there, the real fix is to change the authenticated proxy policy or use an approved connection that OneDrive supports. If the problem also occurs elsewhere, reset the appropriate OneDrive app, clear PreSignInSettingsConfig.json, and reinstall OneDrive if necessary. The error is not proof that a manually configured Windows proxy is the cause.

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