You try to upload a file to a OneDrive folder shared by an external partner, but the upload fails only in Google Chrome while it works in Microsoft Edge or Firefox. This problem usually occurs because of a blocked third-party cookie, an outdated browser cache, or a conflicting browser extension that interferes with the authentication handshake required for external sharing. This article explains the root cause and provides a step-by-step fix to restore web uploads in the affected browser.
Key Takeaways: Fix OneDrive Web Upload Failures in One Browser for External Sharing
- Browser Settings > Privacy and Security > Third-party cookies: Blocked third-party cookies prevent the authentication token from being passed during external share uploads.
- Browser Settings > Extensions: Ad blockers and privacy extensions often strip required headers or redirect the upload request before it reaches OneDrive.
- Browser Settings > Clear browsing data: A stale cache or corrupted cookies can cause the browser to reuse an expired session token for the external share session.
Why OneDrive Web Upload Fails in One Browser for External Sharing
When you access a OneDrive folder shared by an external user, the browser must complete a cross-origin authentication flow. The external share URL is hosted on a different Microsoft domain than your tenant’s OneDrive. The browser sends a request to the share URL, which redirects to a Microsoft login page that issues a short-lived token. That token is then used to authorize the upload.
The failure occurs when the browser blocks third-party cookies. The authentication redirect relies on a cookie set by login.microsoftonline.com while the page is served from onedrive.live.com or a share-specific domain. If the browser treats this as a third-party cookie and blocks it, the token exchange fails silently. The upload button may appear functional, but the actual POST request returns a 401 or 403 error.
A second common cause is a browser extension that modifies HTTP headers or blocks script execution. Extensions such as uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, or Ghostery can remove the Authorization header or prevent the JavaScript that manages the upload progress from loading. The browser then shows an upload progress bar that never completes, or the file simply disappears without an error message.
Steps to Fix OneDrive Web Upload in the Affected Browser
Use the following steps in the browser where the upload fails. If you have multiple browsers that fail, repeat the steps for each one.
- Enable third-party cookies for the Microsoft domains
In Google Chrome, open Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies. Select “Allow third-party cookies” or add “login.microsoftonline.com” and “onedrive.live.com” to the “Sites that can always use cookies” list. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data and add those same domains to the “Manage Exceptions” list with “Allow” selected. - Disable browser extensions temporarily
Open the extensions management page. In Chrome, type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter. Toggle off all extensions. In Firefox, type about:addons and disable all extensions. Test the upload again. If it works, re-enable extensions one by one to identify the conflicting extension. - Clear browsing data for the affected browser
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Select “All time” as the time range. Check “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.” Click “Clear data.” In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data, check both boxes, and click “Clear.” - Reset browser settings to default
If the previous steps do not resolve the issue, reset the browser. In Chrome, go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults. In Firefox, go to Settings > Help > More Troubleshooting Information > Refresh Firefox. This removes all extensions, cookies, and site data without deleting bookmarks or passwords. - Test upload in a private browsing window
Open an Incognito window in Chrome or a Private Window in Firefox. Sign in to the external share link again. If the upload works in private mode, the issue is caused by cached data or an extension that is active in normal mode.
If OneDrive Still Has Issues After the Main Fix
The upload succeeds in private mode but fails in normal mode
This indicates a corrupted profile or a persistent extension. Clear all site data specifically for the Microsoft domains. In Chrome, click the lock icon next to the address bar, select “Cookies and site data,” then “Manage cookies and site data.” Remove all entries for onedrive.live.com, login.microsoftonline.com, and the specific share domain shown in the URL.
The upload fails in all browsers
This points to a tenant-level or external-share configuration issue. Verify that the external user has granted you at least “Can edit” permission on the folder. Check the Microsoft 365 admin center under Settings > Org Settings > Sharing to confirm that external sharing is allowed for the specific site collection or tenant.
The file uploads but the progress bar never reaches 100 percent
This is often caused by a network proxy or firewall that blocks WebSocket connections used by OneDrive for real-time upload progress. Contact your IT team to ensure that WebSocket traffic to sharepoint.com and onedrive.com is allowed. Try uploading a smaller file under 10 MB to see if the issue is size-related.
Browser Comparison for OneDrive External Share Uploads
| Item | Google Chrome | Microsoft Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party cookie default | Blocked in incognito and normal mode (as of Chrome 121+) | Allowed for Microsoft domains by default |
| Extension interference | Common with ad blockers and privacy tools | Less common; fewer privacy extensions installed by default |
| Authentication token flow | Requires third-party cookie allowance for cross-domain redirect | Uses integrated Windows authentication for corporate devices |
| Upload success rate with external shares | Works after cookie setting change | Works without configuration changes |
The table shows that Chrome requires an explicit third-party cookie exception for Microsoft login domains, while Edge handles the same flow without manual changes. If your organization mandates Chrome, apply the cookie exception via Group Policy or Intune to avoid per-user configuration.
You can now restore OneDrive web uploads for external sharing in the affected browser by enabling third-party cookies for Microsoft domains, disabling conflicting extensions, and clearing stale cache data. After applying the fix, test the upload with a small file first to confirm the token handshake succeeds. For recurring issues, consider using the Microsoft 365 admin center to configure a tenant-wide cookie policy exception or deploy the “Allow third-party cookies for Microsoft domains” setting through Group Policy to all managed devices.