If you are using OneDrive on your Windows computer, you may encounter an error message saying “The tag present in the reparse point buffer is invalid”. This error often occurs when OneDrive is having trouble syncing files and folders or when you try to access files or folders that have been previously synced. If you’re wondering how to fix this error, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to resolve the error message in OneDrive.

What is OneDrive?

Before we dive into the fixes, let’s discuss what OneDrive is just in case you don’t know. OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud-based file storage and sharing service. Any files stored in OneDrive are accessible from any device connected to the internet, and users can sync files automatically from their computer to their OneDrive account.

How to Fix OneDrive’s “The Tag Present in the Reparse Point Buffer Is Invalid” Error on Windows

Fix 1: Restart OneDrive

The first step to fixing the error is to try restarting OneDrive. Here’s how:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
2. Click ‘Close OneDrive’.
3. Wait for a few seconds, and then click the ‘OneDrive’ shortcut on your desktop to open the app.
4. Sign in to your Microsoft account, and see if the error still persists.

Fix 2: Clear OneDrive Cache

If restarting OneDrive doesn’t work, try clearing the cache. Here’s how:

1. Close OneDrive by following the first two steps in the previous fix.
2. Open the ‘Run’ dialog box on your computer by pressing the Windows key + R.
3. Type in %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
4. Press Enter.
5. A Command Prompt window will appear, and OneDrive will reset itself. Wait for the process to complete.

Fix 3: Reinstall OneDrive

If clearing the cache doesn’t work, try reinstalling OneDrive. Here’s how:

1. Close OneDrive by following the first two steps in the first fix.
2. Press the Windows key + R to open the ‘Run’ dialog box.
3. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
4. Right-click ‘Microsoft OneDrive’ and select ‘Uninstall’.
5. Download the latest version of OneDrive from the Microsoft website.
6. Install the new version and sign in to your account.