OneDrive for Business sync returns the error "We can't connect to the specified SharePoint site"

Symptoms

When you click Sync Now in Microsoft SharePoint or OneDrive for Business, the following error is returned:

We can't connect to the specified SharePoint site

Screenshot of the OneDrive for Business sync error message dialog box.

Cause

This issue occurs if one of the following registry values is configured as follows:

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Common\SignIn

    Name: SignInOptions

    Type: DWORD

    Value: 3

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Common\SignIn

    Name: SignInOptions

    Type: DWORD

    Value: 3

SignInOptions=3 restricts you from signing in to SharePoint or SharePoint Online by using either a Microsoft or an organizational ID.

Note

The x.0 placeholder represents your Office version (16.0 = Office 2016, Office 2019, Office LTSC 2021, or Microsoft 365 Apps, 15.0 = Office 2013).

Resolution

Important

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Click OK to close the sync window.

  2. Start Registry Editor.

  3. Locate and select the following subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Common\SignIn

  4. Double-click the SignInOptions value.

  5. In the Value Data box, type 0, and then click OK.

  6. Exit Registry Editor.

Note

If the SignInOptions value is located under the Policies hive, it may have been created by Group Policy. In this situation, your administrator must modify the policy to change this setting.

More Information

The SignInOptions value controls whether users can provide credentials to Office by using either their Microsoft Account ID or the user ID that was assigned by their organization (Org ID) for accessing Microsoft 365. This setting can be configured by using the following values:

  • 0 = Both ID types allowed
  • 1 = Only Microsoft Account IDs allowed
  • 2 = Only Org IDs allowed
  • 3 = Users can't sign in by using either type of ID