Not Enough Space on OneDrive: Try These Fixes
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Written By
Aaradhya Jain -
Approved By
Shivam Rathore -
Updated on
November 22nd, 2025 - Read Time
5 minutes
User Query: Why does OneDrive keep saying Not Enough Space, even though I deleted files? How do I fix this error and free up space easily?
Summary: When you try to upload or sync files to OneDrive, the “Not Enough Space on OneDrive” message can instantly break your workflow. This error usually appears when OneDrive thinks you’re running out of storage, either in the cloud or on your computer. The good news is that this problem is very common and can be fixed with simple steps. In this blog, we’ll explain the simple manual methods and a professional DRS OneDrive Duplicate Remover Tool to clean unnecessary duplicate files and recover storage instantly.
Why does OneDrive Says I Need More Storage?
- Your OneDrive cloud storage is full.
- Deleted files are still lying in the OneDrive recycle bin.
- Your PC disk does not have enough space for syncing.
- Too many duplicate files are filling your storage.
- OneDrive has not recalculated the available storage yet.
- Also, a shared folder is using your space.
Manual Fixes to Fix OneDrive Not Enough Space
You can try a few quick checks to free up storage. Start by emptying the OneDrive recycle bin and clearing space on your computer. These small steps often solve the error and let OneDrive sync normally again.
Fix 01: Empty the OneDrive Recycle Bin
Many users delete files from OneDrive but forget that those files still stay inside the Recycle Bin. As long as the bin is full, OneDrive will continue showing the “Not Enough Space” message. Just open OneDrive on the web, go to the Recycle Bin, and click Empty Recycle Bin. This instantly frees up cloud space and helps OneDrive update your available storage.
Fix 02: Clear Space on Your Computer
Sometimes your PC doesn’t have enough free space for OneDrive to sync new files. You can clean up your system by deleting temporary files, clearing the Downloads folder, removing old apps, or moving large videos to an external drive. Freeing up even a small amount of space helps OneDrive run smoothly and reduces sync errors.
Quick Method to Fix Not Enough Space on OneDrive
One of the biggest reasons behind this error is the large number of duplicate photos, documents, and files stored in your OneDrive account. These duplicates keep increasing over time and quietly consume your cloud storage. Even if you delete a few files, the duplicates remain and stop OneDrive from syncing properly.
To solve this quickly, you can use the DRS OneDrive Duplicate Remover Tool. It scans your entire OneDrive storage, finds repeated files, and removes duplicates from OneDrive. This makes it easy to free up space without deleting anything important. The tool is simple to use and helps you recover a lot of storage in just a few minutes.
Simple Steps to Fix: OneDrive Does Not Have Enough Free Space
- Download the DRS OneDrive Duplicate File Remover and choose the Account Type.
- Enter your OneDrive login credentials and complete the verification process.
- On the home screen, you’ll see a summary of your Drive Storage. Click Scan All Folders.
- Here, you get the complete preview of your files/folders in your OneDrive account. Click Find Duplicate Files.
- Lastly, select either Delete Permanently or Move to Bin as per your preference.
One-Time Service Available
If you don’t want to install any software, you can use the DRS One-Time Service. In this service, the support team cleans your OneDrive storage for you. They remove duplicate files, free up space, and fix storage issues without affecting your important data. This is a safe and convenient option for users who want quick results without any technical steps.
Real-Life Scenario:
Ally, a freelance designer, kept getting the “Not Enough Space on OneDrive” error even after deleting files. Her work folders were full of duplicate photos, project drafts, and repeated design files. She tried clearing space manually, but the error kept coming back. Finally, she used the DRS OneDrive Duplicate Remover Tool, which scanned her entire OneDrive and removed thousands of duplicate files safely.
Conclusion
The “Not Enough Space on OneDrive” error is common, but it’s easy to fix with a few simple steps. Clearing the recycle bin, freeing space on your computer, and removing unused files can instantly improve your storage. If duplicate files are taking up most of the space. The DRS OneDrive Duplicate Remover Tool offers a quick way to clean your storage without deleting anything important. With the right steps, you can free up space, fix sync issues, and keep your OneDrive running securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Start by emptying the OneDrive recycle bin, clearing space on your computer, and removing large or unused files. If duplicates are filling your storage, use the DRS OneDrive Duplicate Remover Tool to clean them safely and recover space quickly.
Ans: This happens because deleted files still stay in the OneDrive recycle bin and continue using your cloud storage. Empty the recycle bin and give OneDrive a moment to update your available space.
Ans: Yes, if you have added the shared folder to your OneDrive, its size will count toward your storage. You can remove it from “My Files” to free up space while still keeping access under the Shared section.
Ans: This usually happens if your computer is low on space, your network is unstable, or too many duplicate files are slowing down sync. Restart OneDrive, free up some space, and remove duplicates to get uploads working again.
About The Author:
I, Aaradhya Jain, a technical content writer at DRS Solutions, specializes in delivering clear, practical guides on data management, migration, and recovery tools. With a detail-oriented and user-first approach mindset, I transform complex processes into actionable insights for IT professionals and decision-makers.
