After installing the January 2026 Windows update (KB5074109), several users are reporting problems with OneDrive, Dropbox, and other cloud storage services on Windows 11. Files won't sync, cloud-only files fail to download, and some users are seeing "cloud file provider is not running" errors.

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue. Here's how to fix it.

Quick Fix: Re-register the Cloud Files Filter

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

Get-Service -Name "CldFlt" | Restart-Service -Force
fsutil behavior set disableLastAccess 0

Restart your PC and check if sync resumes.

Fix OneDrive Specifically

If OneDrive is the problem, reset it:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

Wait 2-3 minutes. If OneDrive doesn't restart on its own, launch it manually from the Start Menu.

If reset doesn't work, try a full reinstall:

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps
  2. Find Microsoft OneDrive, click the three dots, select Uninstall
  3. Download and install the latest version from onedrive.live.com

Fix Dropbox Sync Issues

Dropbox users are also reporting file sync failures after KB5074109:

  1. Right-click the Dropbox icon in the system tray
  2. Click your profile icon > Quit Dropbox
  3. Open File Explorer and navigate to %APPDATA%\Dropbox
  4. Delete the instance1 folder (Dropbox will rebuild it)
  5. Relaunch Dropbox

What Microsoft Says

Microsoft has listed cloud storage issues as a known issue for KB5074109. Their documentation states:

  • Files previously synced with OneDrive or other cloud providers may show as "not available"
  • Cloud-only (on-demand) files may fail to open or download
  • Sync status icons may disappear from File Explorer

The root cause appears to be a change in how KB5074109 handles the Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver (CldFlt), which is the component that makes cloud file placeholders work in File Explorer.

Check if CldFlt Is Running

The Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver needs to be active for any cloud storage to work properly. Check it:

fltmc

Look for CldFlt in the output. If it's missing, start it:

sc start CldFlt
sc config CldFlt start=auto

Nuclear Option: Uninstall KB5074109

If nothing else works, remove the update entirely:

wusa /uninstall /kb:5074109

This rolls back the changes causing the cloud storage issues. Keep in mind this also removes 114 security patches, so reinstall once Microsoft releases the permanent fix in the February 2026 Patch Tuesday update.

Prevent Future Issues

After resolving the sync problems:

  1. Verify your files synced back by checking OneDrive/Dropbox status icons in File Explorer
  2. Don't delete local copies until you confirm files are back in the cloud
  3. Pause Windows Update temporarily if you need stable cloud sync for a deadline: Settings > Windows Update > Pause for 1 week

Microsoft is expected to ship a permanent fix with the February 11, 2026 cumulative update.

Cloud sync issues disrupting your team? RainCity Techworks manages IT infrastructure for businesses in the Seattle-Tacoma area so you don't have to troubleshoot this stuff yourself. Contact us.