Delivery failed to these recipients in Microsoft Exchange

Sometimes after sending an email, you may encounter the delivery has failed to these recipients or groups error while using the Exchange Server. The most common reason for this error that your email address is flagged as spam or it is no longer allowed to send messages outside of your organization. Contact your email admin for assistance.

As the error message indicates, it can occur if your account is flagged for sending spam or if it is blocked.

If you are also troubled by this error, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the delivery has failed to these recipients or groups error in Windows.

How do I fix delivery has failed to these recipients or groups?

1. Check if the account is blocked

delivery has failed to these recipients or groups

  1. Open Exchange Admin Center.
  2. Click on Protection and select Action Center.
  3. Check if any of the users are blocked.
  4. Click on Unblock Account option in the description pane.
  5. Click Yes to confirm the action.
  6. Try sending the email and check if the error is resolved.

Microsoft may block the user account due to suspected outbound spam. If you are an administrator for the Office 365 account, you can unblock the account by following the steps above.


2. Check if your account is compromised

delivery has failed to these recipients or groups

  1. Begin with analyzing the email activity of the user account from the Reports section to identify the volume of the email sent.
  2. You may also need to perform detailed email log analysis via Messages Trace to understand the type of emails sent from the user’s account.
  3. After analyzing the account and going through the details you may able to check if your account is compromised or not.

What to do if the email account is compromised?

  1. Make sure you reset the password of the email account. Also, make sure the password is at least 8 characters long and secure.
  2. You may also want to scan the system with antivirus. Use Malwarebytes for deep scan and cleaning features.
  3. Download and install any pending Windows update. Make sure the automatic updates are enabled as well.
  4. Remove any auto forwarders or auto-replies set for the account. This will prevent any unauthorized access to the account.
  5. Disable email header spoofing, enable DKIM record from DNS Management.

3. Remove the original email address

delivery has failed to these recipients or groups

  1. If the error occurs while using the Dynamic Distribution List option, do the following.
  2. First, backup any email necessary.
  3. Make sure you remove the original email address/account.
  4. Add the user again in Exchange.
  5. Next, add the SMTP address to the users’ profile.
  6. Additionally, you can also select which account you want their outgoing email to be sent as.

4. Check for bad email habits

Exchange recipient error

  1. The error can occur if the users are using outlook contacts for the internal user whose addresses may have changed.
  2. It is also possible that the user is replying to an old email who’s recipient info has changed since.
  3. Make sure the users are not using an Outlook contacts group with bad info.
  4. If the issue persists, try testing from a web client for the GLA related issues.

The delivery has failed to these recipients or groups error in Outlook /Exchange can occur if the user account is blocked for suspected spam or if the user is following bad email practices.

Follow all the steps in this article and let us know which method helped you resolve the error in the comments.

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FIX: A name has not been set for this YouTube account

YouTube allows users to save videos for offline viewing at their convenience. However, some users have reported A name has not been set for this account YouTube error when trying to save a video.

Apart from saving the video, this error can also occur while uploading a video or even logging into your YouTube account. The error, as the message indicates, occurs if the user has not added a name to their account.

If you are also troubled by this error, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the A name has not been set for this account YouTube error.


How do I fix A name has not been set for this account on YouTube?

1. Add an account name

A name has not been set for this account

  1. Go to the YouTube account page.
  2. Open the Personal Info tab.
  3. Under the Profile section, click on the Name option.
  4. In the name window, type your name and save it. Click Done to save the changes.
  5. Go back to the Personal Info tab.
  6. Click on the Nickname option.
  7. Enter a nickname for your account.
  8. Click on Done to add a nickname.

On your Phone

  1. Open the YouTube app on your smartphone.
  2. Tap on the channel name.
  3. It will ask you to set a new name for your account.
  4. Add a new name to your account and save the changes.
  5. Close and relaunch the YouTube app and check for any improvements.

If the issue persists, try to sign out and sign in again. At times, a simple logout can help you resolve the issues.


2. Check for service outage

A name has not been set for this account

  1. If changing the name does not resolve the issue, check for the service outage.
  2. Google announces any issues related to their products in the Product Forum.
  3. Check the Google Product Forum for any service outage announcements.
  4. Any service-related issues will be fixed automatically by the company, and you don’t need to take further steps on your end.

3. Reset cache and data

A name has not been set for this account

  1. If the issue is only occurring on your smartphone, try clearing the cache and data.
  2. Tap on Settings.
  3. Go to Apps and tap on Apps.
  4. Tap on Storage.
  5. Tap on the Clear Cache button.
  6. Once the button is greyed out, open the YouTube app , and check if the error is resolved.
  7. If the issue persists, open YouTube app Setting again.
  8. Tap on the Clear Data button.
  9. Confirm the action by tapping on Yes. Note that clearing the data will clear all the saved downloads from your app.
  10. Relaunch the YouTube app and check for any improvements.

The A name has not been set for this account YouTube error occurs if the YouTube account you are trying to access does not have an account name.

Follow the steps in this article to add a name to your account, and that should help you resolve the error.

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OneDrive Error 0x8004deb2: How to Fix it

Even though OneDrive is one of the best online sharing and storage applications, many reported OneDrive error 0x8004deb2 while using it.

This error is similar to OneDrive sign-in issue 0x8004e4be, so you might want to check that guide as well. Without further ado, let’s get started and see how to fix this error message.

What causes the 0x8004deb2 error in OneDrive?

  • Issues with Windows credentials can sometimes cause this error message.
  • OneDrive might be corrupted, thus causing this and other issues to appear.
  • Your registry isn’t properly configured, which can lead to this error.

How can I fix the error 0x8004deb2 error in OneDrive?

1. Try modifying the Windows 10 credentials settings

  1. Completely close any Microsoft Office applications that are running.
  2. Type control panel inside the Cortana search box and click the first option from the top of the results.
  3. Click the option User Accounts, select Credential Manager and then click Windows Credentials.Windows credentials - OneDrive 0x8004deb2
  4. Delete all the credentials found in that list
  5. Inside Cortana, search for regedit, and then right-click Registry Editor and choose Run as administrator.
  6. In the Registry Editor, for Office 2013, browse to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Common\Identity
  7. For Office 2016, browse to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity
  8. If you can find any folder listed under Identities, delete them by right-clicking the entry.
  9. Try to see if this resolves the issue. If not, please try the next method.

2. Restart the OneDrive app

Closing the OneDrive app:

  1. Press the Win+X keys on your keyboard and select the Windows PowerShell(Admin) option.
  2. Run this command inside the PowerShell window: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exeClosing OneDrive in PowerShell command - OneDrive error 0x8004deb2
  3. Wait for the process to be completed.

Open OneDrive again:

  1. Search for the OneDrive app by using the Cortana search box.
  2. Open the application by clicking on it.
  3. Log into your account and finish the setup of the app.

3. Remove OneDrive and then re-install it using PowerShell

To uninstall:

  1. Press the Win+X keys and click the option Windows PowerShell(Admin).
  2. Run the following command in PowerShell: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
  3. Wait for the process  to complete, and then run the following commands (depending if you have a 64 or 32-bit version of Windows):
  4. For a 64-bit version: %systemroot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
  5. For a 32-bit version: %systemroot%\SysWOW32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

To re-install the application:

  1. Open PowerShell(Admin) again by using the steps we explained above.
  2. Type the required command inside the Command Prompt and run it by pressing Enter.Windows PowerShell command - OneDrive 0x8004deb2
  3. For 64-bit version: %systemroot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe
  4. For 32-bit  version: %systemroot%\SysWOW32\OneDriveSetup.exe

After the process is completed, it is recommended that you restart your PC so the clean-up process can remove the remaining system files as well.

4. Modify values inside Registry Editor

  1. Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter to run the command.
  3. Accept any UAC notifications that pop-up, confirming that you have administrator rights.
  4. Inside the Registry Editor window and navigate to the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OneDriveRegistry editor folder - OneDrive 0x8004deb2
  5. Change the value of the EnableADAL entry from value 1 to 2.
  6. Restart the OneDrive app.

We hope that one of the solutions mentioned in this guide has helped you get rid of the OneDrive 0x8004deb2 error code.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the only error, and we already covered the 0x8004dec5 OneDrive error in one of our previous guides.

If you would like to contact us, or if you have any other suggestions, please use the comment section in this article to do so.

FIX: OneDrive for Business error 0x8004de90

We understand how important it is for you to be able to use all of the capabilities of the OneDrive Business application. A large number of users have reported on different online forums that they encounter the error code 0x8004de90.

As the error message suggests, OneDrive fails to identify the setup parameters that you set while going through the installation wizard. This can cause a lot of frustrations to users, especially if you encountered this error while working on a deadline.

Here is what one user had to say about this issue on the SpiceWorks forums:

I cannot access my OneDrive at all and I am one of the O365 admins. When I use the desktop app I receive an error stating “your OneDrive has not been setup” Error code: 0x80004de90.

We found some of the best method to apply if you find yourself in this situation. Please make sure to follow the steps presented in this guide carefully so no other issues may arise.


How can I fix the OneDrive Business 0x8004de90 error?

1. Close and re-launch OneDrive

To close it:

  1. Press the Win+X keys on your keyboard -> choose PowerShell(Admin) or Command Prompt(Admin) from the list.WinX menu PowerShell - OneDrive Business error 0x8004de90
  2. Inside the command prompt window -> type and run the following command: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
  3. You can close the command window now.

To re-open it:

  1. Click the Start button -> search for OneDrive
  2. Choose the OneDrive desktop app from the list.
  3. Log into your account by using the same credentials for the Microsoft account that you’re using.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

Encountered the Onedrive error code 0x80040c81/0x80040c82? Here’s a fix


2. Edit permission settings by using the SharePoint admin center

OneDrive logo - OneDrive business error 0x8004de90

Note: The settings that are going to be described in this method can only be applied by the Office 365 administrator. If you are not the admin, you will not have access to these settings.

  1. Inside the SharePoint admin center and click User profiles.
  2. Click the People section and Manage User Permissions.
  3. Add the specific user name, group, or users to the list.
  4. Scroll down to the Permissions section and check the box next to the option Create Personal Site.
  5. Click OK to apply the settings.
  6. Check to see if the issue is resolved by opening OneDrive again using the user name that had issues.

3. Reset the OneDrive app

Note: Before resetting the app, please be aware that taking this action will disconnect OneDrive and will affect your synced connections, but you won’t lose any files in the process.

  1. Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard to open the Run window.
  2. Enter the following command, and run it by pressing the Enter key:
    • %localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /resetRun dialog box - OneDrive Business error 0x8004de90
  3. Click the Cortana search box -> type OneDrive -> re-open the application to see if the issue is fixed.

4. Uninstall and re-install OneDrive

To uninstall:

  1. Press Win+X keys on your keyboard -> click PowerShell(Admin).
  2. Inside the command prompt window -> type and run the following command: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exeCommand in PowerShell - OneDrive error 0x8004de90
  3. Copy-paste and run the following commands, depending on the version of Windows you’re using.
    • For a 64-bit version: %systemroot%SysWOW64OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
    • For a 32-bit version: %systemroot%System32OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

To re-install:

  1. Re-open they PowerShell(Admin) window by following the first step of the uninstall process.
  2. Type the corresponding command inside the command prompt, and run it:
    • 64-bit version: %systemroot%SysWOW64OneDriveSetup.exe
    • 32-bit  version: %systemroot%System32OneDriveSetup.exe
  1. After the installation process is completed, please restart your computer.
  2. Try to see if the issue is resolved by re-opening the OneDrive app.

In this guide, we explored some of the best methods available online that could help you solve the 0x8004de90 error code inside OneDrive Business.

We presented the methods making sure to start with the least-invasive, and finishing with the most invasive options. This ensures that you won’t need to worry about file corruption or loss of data.

Please feel free to let us know if this guide has proven helpful in your situation. You can do so by using the comment section found below this article.



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Seeing the OneDrive authentication error? Try this fix

A number of users have reported that they encounter the message Authentication error: Something went wrong. Please try again when trying yo use the OneDrive app to share different elements.

There seem to be two scenarios in which this error message appears:

  • trying to share app data
  • trying to share OneDrive files and folders

Here is what one user had to say about this issue on the Microsoft forums:

I shared an app and people in my organization and  I can’t access it due to one-way authentication error. I need help

Because we understand how important it is for you to be able to share the data that you and your co-workers need, in today’s guide we will have a look at some of the most efficient methods to try in this situation.


How can I fix the Authentication error in One Drive?

Make sure users have permission to access the shared OneDrive folder

If you want to share the link using email:

  1. Log into your OneDrive account using the same credentials that were used when the connection between PowerApps and OneDrive was created.
  2. Select the folder that contains the file you want to share -> select Share.onedrive-share - OneDrive authentication error
  3. Inside the newly opened dialog box -> select Email.onedrive-email - OneDrive authentication error
  4. Add the specific email addresses that the app users will utilize to sign in to OneDrive.
  5. To change the permission levels, select the option Anyone with the link can edit.
  6. Select the options that you need in your circumstances (Allow editing, Set expiration date, Set password)OneDrive link settings - OneDrive authentication error
  7. Click Apply -> Share.

OneDrive shows you the athumbs.db error? Fix it once and for all


If you want to share the link using a text message or website:

  1. Navigate to the OneDrive website.
  2. Log in using the same credentials previously used.
  3. Pick the specific file or folder you want to share by clicking on the circle found next to the item/items.
  4. Select Share from the top of the page.Share button - OneDrive authentication error
  5. Click the option Anyone with the link can edit and choose the permission level (Allow editing, Set expiration date, Set password).
  6. Click Apply to finish settings up the link -> share it with your co-workers.

Note: When sharing folders with Edit permissions, the end-users will be able to add the shared folder to their own OneDrive. This allows them to have the folder at hand, and they can move items between folders. Another big advantage of using this method is that the users are allowed easy access offline, and the files also get synced automatically.


The two methods mentioned above should allow you to share your data, files, and folders using OneDrive without any issues.

If you find that you are one of the end-users, then recommend this article to the user that wants to initiate the sharing process.

If you had good results by using these methods, please feel free to share it with us by using the comment section found below this article.



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FIX: AT&T U-verse gateway authentication failure

While setting your new gateway or working with your existing gateway you may encounter Gateway authentication failure. please contact your service provider error.

This error can occur due to multiple reasons including not connecting the right cable in the ONT port as well as the user account not being properly provisioned for the new gateway.

If you are also troubled by this error, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips to help you resolve Gateway authentication failure, please contact your service provider error.


How do I fix Gateway authentication failure U-verse AT&T error?

1. Check the cable and ONT port

Gateway authentication failure U-verse

  1. The gateway authentication error can occur if you don’t have the right cable in the ONT port.
  2. Make sure you have the Ethernet cable connected to the right ONT port.
  3. If you are not sure about the ONT port, refer the user guide provided with the router/modem.
  4. Even if the cable is connected to the correct ONT port, make sure it is firmly connected.
  5. Sometimes, a loose connection also creates issues.
  6. Once connected, try to set up the gateway and check for any improvements.

2. Perform a power cycle

Gateway authentication failure U-verse

  1. Turn off the modem by turning off the power supply.
  2. Next, unplug the Ethernet cable from both ends.
  3. Wait for few minutes and leave the modem idle in the meantime.
  4. Reconnect the cables to the modem and turn it on.
  5. Try accessing the gateway again and check for improvements.

3. Reset the modem

U-verse authentication failure

  1. Press and hold the reset button located on the rear side of the modem for 35 seconds.
  2. When the lights start blinking, release the button.
  3. Make sure the Modem is turned on.
  4. Note that resetting the modem will also reset any settings saved in the device.
  5. Try accessing the gateway again and check for any improvements.

4. Check for an outage

U-verse authentication failure

  1. Go to MyATT page.
  2. Log in using your member ID and password.
  3. Click on the Fix it now! Support tools link under Help with my service section.
  4. A test will automatically run and scan for any issues with the gateway.
  5. Follow on-screen instructions to apply the recommended fixes.

If the issue persists, try contacting the service provider. The tech support can help you resolve the issue or offer you a replacement gateway if the issue cannot be resolved.

The Gateway authentication failure. please contact your service provider error can be usually resolved by resetting the modem. However, if the issue persists after trying all the troubleshooting tips, contacting the service provider is recommended.

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FIX: OneDrive for Business credentials needed error

If you encounter the Credentials needed error while trying to sync files to your OneDrive for Business app on your Windows 10 PC, you have to know you’re not the only one experiencing this issue.

A wide range of users have had to deal with the same problem, and because of that, we can find a big number of complaints on different online help forums.

Here is what one user had to say about this issue on the Microsoft Answers forums:

I seem to be having an OneDrive for Business credentials needed sync error. There is nowhere for me to enter any credentials to fix my sync error.I have tried the Repair Tool and it did nothing. The items that say they can’t sync keep changing as well, so I have multiple documents that won’t sync apparently.

Because it is extremely important to be able to use your OneDrive Business app properly, in today’s fix article we will explore some of the best methods to try out in this situation.

Please make sure to follow the steps presented in this guide closely to ensure that no other complications will arise.


How can I fix the OneDrive Business credentials error?

1. Download OneDrive for Business Next Generation Sync Client

Microsoft sync client - OneDrive Business credentials needed error

Because a large number of users have encountered one of the many variations of syncing errors inside OneDrive for Business, the developer team has released a new version of the Sync Client to tackle this issue.

In case that you’re using version 2013 or 2016 of the OneDrive for Business app, then you will need to download and install the newly developed OneDrive for Business Next Generation Sync Client.

Follow the steps presented in the Microsoft article to be able to set up your OneDrive easily.


2. Modify Windows 10 credentials settings

  1. Make sure to exit all Office applications running on your PC.
  2. Click the Cortana search box found in your taskbar -> type control panel -> click the first option available.
  3. Inside the Control Panel navigate to User Accounts, click Credential Manager, and select Windows Credentials.
  4. Remove all the credentials found in the list (this will remove your stored passwords).
  5. Click Cortana again and search for regedit, then right-click the Registry Editor entry, and choose Run as administrator.registry editor - OneDrive Business error credentials needed
  6. Inside the Registry Editor -> for Office 2013, browse to:
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Office/15.0/Common/Identity/Identities.
  7. For Office 2016, browse to:
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Office/16.0/Common/Identity/Identities.
  8. If you can find any folder listed under Identities, then delete them by right-clicking the entry.

Got the OneDrive SSL error no cypher overlap? Here’s how to fix it


3. Remove the OneDrive for Business cache files

Note: Before removing any cached files, please make sure to back up your data and also store any currently synced sites.

  1. Open Windows Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the following location:
    • C:Users/yourusername/AppData/Local/MicrosoftOffice15.0
      • The exact version number will vary depending on your setup.Appdata Microsoft - OneDrive Business credentials needed error
  3. Remove the OfficeFileCache file.

It is worth mentioning that if your own an OneDrive for Business account with 1TB of online storage, you will need at least 2GB of storage on your PCs hard-drive to be able to sync your files with no issues.


4. Create a report with the Microsoft Feedback Hub

If none of the methods we listed above didn’t manage to get you to sync your files normally, then it is recommended that you ask for official help from Microsoft. In order to do so properly, follow these steps:

  1. Set the Diagnostic and Usage Data option to Full by navigating to Settings -> Privacy -> Diagnostics and Feedback.Diagnostic data - OneDrive Business credentials needed error
  2. Press the Win+X keys -> choose Settings from the menu.
  3. Navigate to the Privacy tab -> choose Diagnostics and Feedback.
  4. Click on the Report a problem-button to create a new ticket.
  5. Explain the details of your problem.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Tick the Problem option -> select Customer Program -> Windows Community.
  8. Attach any available screenshots of your issue.
  9. Click Submit to send the report to Microsoft.

Note: If you’re worried about Microsoft gathering information about your PC usage without your consent, please reset the Diagnostic tool to Basic.


We hope that this guide has proven useful in your quest to sort out the problems created by the credentials needed error inside OneDrive for Business.

If you want to get into contact with us, please feel free to share any suggestions or opinions regarding this issue by using the comment section found below this guide.



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OneDrive Error Code 0x8004def5: Fix It With These 4 Methods

OneDrive is a reliable cloud storage service and often the first choice of most Windows users. But, many have, of late, reported seeing the OneDrive error code 0x8004def5 in Windows.

The problem could affect any of the OneDrive accounts. There are reports where a business OneDrive account worked while a personal one didn’t, or even vice-versa. So, let’s find out all about the problem and how to get things up and running.

What is error code 0x8004def5 in OneDrive?

The error appears when users try to sign in or access OneDrive, and prevents the connection from establishing. And it mostly has to do with a problem at the user’s end. Here are the primary reasons you may come across the OneDrive error code 0x8004def5:

  • Poor Internet connectivity: Slow Internet speed is a common reason users encounter the error, so your primary approach should be to verify this.
  • Corrupt system files: When your installation of the OS has corrupt system files, errors with OneDrive and other native applications are bound to appear.
  • Misconfigured network settings: A security software or some privacy measure over the ISP or router settings could also lead to OneDrive error code 0x8004def5.
  • OneDrive service is down: Though a rare occurrence, it’s likely that the OneDrive service is down, and in this case, things are automatically resolved within a few hours.

How can I fix OneDrive error code 0x8004def5?

Before we move forward, here are a few quick tips, tricks, and checks to perform:

  • Restart the computer.
  • Ensure OneDrive is available and configured on your PC.
  • Check the Internet speed, and if it’s unsatisfactory, fix the slow Internet speed in Windows.
  • Verify that the OneDrive service is running through the dedicated Microsoft Service Health page, or you could use a reliable service like Downdetector.
  • Install any pending Windows updates.
  • Disable the antivirus, firewall, or VPN, if either is configured and running.
  • Check your ISP or router settings, and ensure that Parental Control is disabled and OneDrive (https://www.onedrive.live.com/) is added to the list of exceptions.
  • Make sure you are signed in with a Microsoft account on the PC and not a local account.

If none work, head to the fixes listed next.

1. Run the DISM and SFC scan

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.cmd
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Paste the following three commands individually, and hit Enter after each:DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Once done, run the following command for the SFC scan:sfc /scannowsfc scan to fix onedrive error code 0x8004def5

If it’s the corrupt system files to blame for the OneDrive error code 0x8004def5, running the DISM tool and the SFC (System File Checker) scan should do the trick.

An even easier alternative for the above solution would be a specialized tool that can automatically repair corrupt files by locating healthy components as replacements.

2. Delete OneDrive cache

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, paste the following path in the address bar while replacing the Username with your current account name, and hit Enter:C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\setup\logspath
  2. Locate the userTelemetryCache.otc and userTelemetryCache.otc.session files, select them and hit the Delete key.delete to fix onedrive error code 0x8004def5
  3. Choose the appropriate response if a confirmation prompt appears.

3. Whitelist OneDrive in Windows Firewall

  1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Allow an app through Windows Firewall, and click on the relevant search result. allow an app to fix onedrive error code 0x8004def5
  2. Click on Change settings at the top.change settings
  3. Now, click on Allow another app.allow another app
  4. Click on Browse.browse
  5. Navigate the following path where Username is the current profile name in Windows:C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive
  6. Select the OneDrive.exe launcher, and click Open.add to fix onedrive error code 0x8004def5
  7. Click Add.add
  8. Now, make sure the Private and Public checkboxes next to OneDrive are ticked, and then click OK to save the changes.whitelist to fix Select the OneDrive.exe launcher, and click Open.

That’s it! If the firewall is blocking the program and triggering the OneDrive error code 0x8004def5, adding an exception for it will do the job.

4. Reinstall OneDrive

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, choose Apps from the navigation pane, and click on Installed apps on the right.installed apps
  2. Locate OneDrive, click on the ellipsis next to it, and click Uninstall.uninstall to fix onedrive error code 0x8004def5
  3. Again, choose Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.confirm
  4. Restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.
  5. Now, launch the Microsoft Store, search for OneDrive, and download the application.onedrive
  6. Once done, launch it, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the configuration.

It could also be missing files or an improper initial installation to blame. In this case, reinstalling OneDrive should fix error code 0x8004def5.

Tip icon Tip
If nothing works, we recommend trying another cloud backup service for a flexible and error-free experience. The most well-known online backup service providers stake their names on keeping your data safe and secure during file transmission and online data storage.

After you have fixed the error, check some quick tips to boost Windows performance and make the OS faster than ever.

For any queries or to share a solution with us, comment below.

OneDrive Error Code 0x8004de86: 5 Ways to Fix it

Reports regarding the OneDrive error code 0x8004de86 can be found on almost any online help forum. This implies that a large number of users have encountered this issue.

Because seeing this error will seriously impede your ability to log into and use OneDrive properly, we will explore some of the best troubleshooting steps in this guide.

In case you’re not familiar with this service, we have a great guide explaining what OneDrive is, so don’t hesitate to check it out.

Why does error code 0x8004de86 appear in OneDrive?

  • Damaged Office installation can sometimes cause this issue to appear on your PC.
  • Cookies and website data can be responsible for this error code.
  • Issues with personal and work credentials will cause errors such as this one.
  • Problems with OneDrive settings can lead to issues such as these.

How do I fix error code 0x8004de86?

1. Repair the Office suite

  1. Press the Win + R keys to run open the run dialog box.
  2. Write control and hit the Enter key.
  3. Select Programs and Features.programs and features - OneDrive error 0x8004de86
  4. Find the Office product inside the list of apps and select it.
  5. Press the Change button from the top taskbar.
  6. Choose Quick Repair and click Repair.
  7. After completing the process, check to see if this solves your issue. If it didn’t, please follow the next method.

2. Remove cookies and website data from Internet Explorer

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Del keys on your keyboard.
  3. Check the boxes next to the options Temporary Internet files and website files, and Cookies and website data.Internet explorer settings - OneDrive error 0x8004de86
  4. Press Delete.
  5. Close the browser and log into OneDrive again.

3. Uninstall and re-install OneDrive

To uninstall:

  1. Press Win+X keys on your keyboard -> open the PowerShell(Admin).
  2. Type and run the following command inside PowerShell: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
  3. Copy-paste and run the following commands, depending on the version of Windows you’re using.
    Command in PowerShell - OneDrive error 0x8004de86
  4. For a 64-bit version: %systemroot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe/uninstall
  5. For a 32-bit version:%systemroot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

To re-install:

  1. Open PowerShell(Admin) again by using the above-mentioned steps.
  2. Type the appropriate command inside the command prompt:
  3. For a 64-bit version:%systemroot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe
  4. For a 32-bit version:%systemroot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe

After doing that, check if error code 0x8004de86 is gone.

4. Make sure your personal and work accounts do not have the same credentials

  1. Change the email and password linked to the personal Microsoft account.
  2. Reinstall OneDrive by following the steps from the previous method.
  3. Log into your personal account and sync the data.
  4. Right-click the OneDrive icon found inside your taskbar, and click Settings.
  5. Inside the Account tab and click Add an account.
  6. Don’t type the full work email account -> use only johndoe where the full address is [email protected].
  7. This will cause the email account with the problem to pop up.
  8. Enter the full credentials for your work account.

5. Reset the OneDrive app

  1. Press the Win+R keys.
  2. Run the following command: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
    Run command - OneDrive error 0x8004de86
  3. Check if the problem is gone.

Resetting your OneDrive app will disconnect OneDrive and will reset your synced connections as well.

We hope these methods have solved the issues you encountered inside your OneDrive application.

This isn’t the only issue, and many reported that they can’t access OneDrive at all, but we covered that issue in a separate guide.

If you have any other suggestions, or you want to share with us what method has worked from the ones mentioned above, please feel free to leave a comment in the section below this article.

Seeing The OneDrive Cookies Must be Allowed Error? Easy Fix

A number of users have encountered the error message Cookies must be allowed when trying to log into their OneDrive accounts.

This issue has frustrated a lot of people for a lot of time, as most of them already tried enabling cookies inside their browsers. For some, this has proven to be a viable solution, but for others, it hasn’t changed anything.

Here is how the error message looks:

Cookies must be allowed error - OneDrive error cookies

Even though this seems to be a small inconvenience, not being able to use your OneDrive account can prove very important, especially if you’re working on a project and need to store your files securely in order to share them with your colleagues.

For this reason, in today’s article, we will have a look at all the steps that you can try to sort out this issue once and for all. Please read on to find out more details.

How do I fix the cookies must be allowed error in OneDrive?

1. Enable cookies in your browser/s

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click the More Actions option found inside the toolbar and select Settings.
  3. Select the option View advanced settings.
  4. Scroll down until you reach the Cookies section and make sure the option is set to Don’t block cookies.

Google Chrome

  1. Open Chrome and click the Tools button found in the taskbar.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Scroll down and click the Show Advanced Settings link.
  4. Under the Privacy section and click on Content Settings.
  5. Tick the box next to the option Allow local data to be set.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open Firefox and click Settings.
  2. Select Options and choose the Privacy tab.
  3. Under the History section and select Use custom settings for history.
  4. Tick the box next to the option Accept cookies from sites.
  5. Click the drop-down menu and select Always for the option Accept third-party cookies.

Opera

  1. Open the Opera browser.
  2. Click on Settings and then Privacy and Security.
  3. Under the Cookies section and activate the option Allow local data to be set.

Note: If allowing cookies from inside your browser/s settings didn’t allow you to use OneDrive normally, please follow the next method.

2. Restart the OneDrive app

To close all running instances of the app:

  1. Hit the Win+X keys and select PowerShell(Admin).
  2. Copy-paste and run the following command: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exePowerShell kill OneDrive - OneDrive error cookies must be allowed

Opening the OneDrive app again:

  1. Click the Cortana search box foud inside your Windows taskbar and type OneDrive.
  2. Open the OneDrive app by clicking on it.
  3. Use the same login credentials to enter the Microsoft account that you’re using on your Windows 10 PC.
  4. Complete the login process by following the on-screen instructions.

3. Change Internet Properties settings

Close OneDrive completely:

  1. Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys to run the Task Manager.
  2. Search for OneDrive inside the task list -> select it -> press End Task.OneDrive in task manager - OneDrive cookies must be allowed error
  3. Follow the next steps.

Change settings inside Internet Properties:

  1. Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type inetcpl.cpl .Run dialog - OneDrive cookies must be allowed error
  3. Press Enter to run the command and open the Internet Properties window.
  4. Click on the Security tab.
  5. Under the section Security level for this zone and set the custom level to the lowest setting available.
  6. Click Apply.
  7. Re-open OneDrive, and log in normally.
  8. After the successful login, re-set the Security level for this zone option to its default setting.

In this short guide, we explored the best methods for you to apply in order to quickly and efficiently resolve the Cookies must be allowed error inside OneDrive.

We hope that you found this guide helpful. If you would like to share another way of solving this issue, or if you have any comments, please feel free to use the box found below this article.

As we know how annoying encountering errors on your PC can be, we created a Windows 10 fix hub to help you sort any issues out.

Also, visit our OneDrive fix troubleshooting hub for more detailed guides on this subject.

FIX: OneDrive for Business error 0x8004de40

A number of users are reporting that they see the error 0x8004de40 whenever they try to use OneDrive for Business.

Because a wide range of people uses this handy service to back up, share, and store different files, it is extremely important that the service works properly, and no data is lost because of a faulty process.

One user has explained his problem on the Microsoft Answers forum. Here is what he had to say:

I can log into my OneDrive for business account online and all other internet based services appear normal. This error code appears when attempting to sign in on the Desktop to my OneDrive account.

A password prompt has appeared today, and have completed that. I have removed and reinstalled OneDrive, which had no effect. The new password works fine on my mobile device, which also has Office 360 for the same account on it.

Please can you help?

The 0x8004de40 error code is caused by a connectivity issue, and the reasons for this happening can be varied. In today’s guide, we will discuss some of the best methods to try and fix this issue once and for all.

Read on for more details.


1. Make sure your internet connection is running properly

ethernet cable - OneDrive error 0x8004de40

If you’re using Wi-Fi to connect to the internet, you will need to make sure that your router is running properly. Even if all the appropriate lights are turned on on your router, it is recommended that you reboot it.

The specific steps to follow to do this will vary from router to router, but you should find a reset button somewhere on the back of the device. If you can’t find the reset button, then just unplug the router from the socket, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.

In the case that you’re using an Ethernet cable to connect to the internet, please make sure that the cable is plugged in properly.

Note: If the above-mentioned steps prove that your internet connection is running smoothly, please follow the next methods presented in this guide.


2. Reset Windows Socket (WINSOCK)

  1. Press the Win+X keys on your keyboard.
  2. Select PowerShell(Admin) or Command Prompt(Admin) from the menu that pops up.
  3. Inside the PowerShell window, type and run the following command: netsh winsock reset catalogPowerShell command - OneDrive error 0x8004de40
  4. Wait for the process to be completed, and then restart your PC.

Experiencing OneDrive sync issues? Check these methods out


3. Try resetting the OneDrive application

Note: It is worth mentioning that resetting the OneDrive app might result in the loss of your app’s data, settings, and other saved preferences. This means that you will need to re-configure the app once the 0x8004de40 error has been solved.

  1. Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
  2. Paste and run this command inside the dialog: %localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /resetRun dialog with command - OneDrive error 0x8004de40
  3. Wait for the command to take effect, and then restart your PC.
  4. Launch OneDrive again and try to see if this fixed your issue.

In today’s fix article we explored the best troubleshooting methods to try if you’re seeing the OneDrive for Business error 0x8004de40.

Please make sure to follow the steps presented in this guide with care. This will allow you to rest assured that none of your computer data or settings are changed and more problems are caused.

If you would like to share your experience with using these methods, please feel free to leave a comment in the section found below this article.



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Upload Blocked in OneDrive: How to Force it to Upload Files

OneDrive is a great cloud storage service, but many aren’t able to use it due to Upload blocked message in OneDrive.

This can be a big problem, as big as can’t access OneDrive issue that we covered earlier. Luckily, there are ways to fix it, and today we will show you how.

Why do I get error message upload blocked on OneDrive?

  • OneDrive is Windows 10 component, and missing updates can sometimes cause this error.
  • Your Microsoft Office Upload Center cache can cause issues with file upload.
  • Account problems will prevent uploading in OneDrive.

How do I fix upload blocked error on OneDrive?

1. Make sure Windows 10 has all available updates installed

  1. Press the Win+X keys and choose Settings.Settings - OneDrive upload blocked error
  2. Click the Update and Security option.
  3. Select the Windows Update tab.
  4. Click Check for Updates.
  5. Install all the updates found by following the on-screen instructions.
  6. Restart your PC and check to see if the issue persists.

2. Try using Office to sync your files

  1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon found inside your Windows 10 taskbar.OneDrive in taskbar - OneDrive upload blocked error
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Select the Office tab and check the box next to the option Use Office applications to Sync files that I Open.
  4. In the newly-opened window enable the option Let me choose to merge changes or keep both copies.
  5. Click the Ok button to apply the settings.
  6. Restart your PC and check to see if the issue persists.

After updating the files, the Upload blocked in OneDrive will be fixed.

3. Delete the Microsoft Office Upload Center cache

  1. Click the Cortana search box and type office upload center. Choose the first option.Office Upload Center - OneDrie upload blocked error
  2. Inside the main page of the upload center -> click Settings.
  3. Scroll down and select the Cache Settings option.
  4. Click Delete cached files -> follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
  5. Restart your PC and log into your OneDrive account again.
  6. Check to see if the issue has been solved by uploading some files.

4. Disconnect your PC from the OneDrive account

  1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon found in the System Tray.
  2. Choose Settings.OneDrive settings - OneDrive upload blocked error
  3. Select the Account tab -> click Unlink this PC.
  4. Confirm that you want to perform this action.
  5. Restart your PC and log in to your OneDrive account.
  6. This should solve the upload error encountered earlier.

We hope the methods presented in this fix guide have proven helpful in your situation and that the OneDrive upload blocked error is fixed.

This isn’t the only issue, and we also covered We couldn’t find your folder in OneDrive issue in one of our earlier guides, so be sure to check it out.

Please follow the steps presented in this guide closely, and let us know if you have any other suggestions. You can do this by leaving a comment in the section below this article.

Windows Photo Viewer Rotate is Greyed Out: How to Fix it

The Windows Photo Viewer comes with editing features that allow you to make basic changes like cropping the images and rotating them. However, some users have reported that they cannot rotate pictures in Windows Photo Viewer, and the option is greyed out.

In this article, we look at the possible solutions to help resolve the inability to rotate pictures in Windows Photo Viewer.

What can I do if rotate is greyed out in Windows Photos Viewer?

1. Check for Read-only attributes

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, and navigate to the location where you have stored the picture.
  2. Right-click on the picture and select Properties.
  3. In the General tab, uncheck Read-only next to Attributes, and click OK to save the changes.read only to fix windows photo viewer rotate greyed out

Some images, by default, come with a Read-only attribute to prevent accidental modifications made by the user. After removing the Read-only, the rotate option shouldn’t be greyed out in Windows Photo Viewer anymore.

2. Check the permission

  1. Right-click on your image and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Security tab, and click the Advanced button.
  3. Click the Change link.
    pictures in Windows Photo Viewer won't rotate
  4. In the Select User or Group window, type your username and click Check Names.
    pictures in Windows Photo Viewer won't rotate
  5. Select the name and click OK.
  6. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
  7. In the Properties window, select the newly added user and click the Edit button.
  8. Select the user again and make sure the Full Control box is checked.
    Cannot rotate pictures in Windows Photo Viewer? Here's why
  9. Click OK to save the changes.

If auto rotate is greyed out in Windows 10 Photo Viewer, modifying the file permissions and securing full control should get things running.

3. Run System File Checker and DISM

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
  2. In the Command Prompt, paste the following command and hit Enter:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  3. Once done, execute the following command to run System File Checker:
    sfc /scannowsfc scan
  4. Finally, restart the computer.

The System File Checker will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder in the Windows directory.

Running the System File Checker tool can help you resolve the issues with Windows Photo Viewer if it happens due to file corruption, etc. It also helps when portrait photos are showing in landscape mode.

By now, you should have fixed things when the rotate option in Windows Photo Viewer is greyed out. And you also know how to rotate an image in Windows Photo Viewer.

Before you leave, find out the best Photo Viewers for Windows and get one today for a seamless experience.

If the issue persists, run the System File Checker to fix any issues with the app and system files.

FIX: Microsoft Exchange data storage error on Windows 10/11

Microsoft Exchange Server is an extremely useful application. This app can help you manage your mail server and calendaring tasks with efficiency and ease.

A number of users have reported on different online forums that they are encountering an error message. This issue from Exchange stops them from using the software properly, reducing the productivity.

This is how the error message looks:

owa-error microsoft.exchange.data.storage.databasenotfoundexception

It seems that the error mentioned above could be caused by a temporary outage of the server.

Here is what one user had to say about this error message on the MS TechNet forums:

I have created a new domain after signing up yesterday.  Today I am getting errors when attempting to log in using outlook.com:

Something went wrong and we couldn’t complete your request.
X-ClientId: 0519998657FA4C448BC4950B75A2987D
request-id b578a25f-67db-4c97-b4c9-ef67d3718ffa
X-OWA-Error Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Storage.DatabaseNotFoundException

Because this issue can have a very big impact on the way you run your business, it is very important to fix it as fast as possible, while eliminating the possibility of losing any important data.

In today’s fix guide we will explore some of the best troubleshooting steps you can try out to resolve this issue.  Follow the steps presented in this guide in the order that they were written. This will ensure that the troubleshooting steps will cover all possible options.


How do I solve the MS Exchange data storage error?

1. Restart your Windows Server machine

Start menu restart - Microsoft Exchange data storage error

Even though this step might seem obvious, restarting the machine that is producing the MS Exchange error has helped other users avoid any more issues.

After your machine has restarted, log into your account, and restart the Microsoft Exchange app.

If this step doesn’t solve the issue, follow the next methods presented in this guide.


2. Clean the cookies  and cache from  your web browser

  1. Download the CCleaner application on your PC, and run the installer.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
  3. Open CCleaner -> click the Custom Clean button from the right-side menu.Custom clean CCleaner - Microsoft Exchange data storage error
  4. Inside both the Windows tab and Applications -> select the browsers found in the list and click the boxes next to the Internet Cache and Cookies options, for each of the browsers you’re using.
  5. Click the Run Cleaner button.
  6. Wait for the cleaner to complete the process.
  7. Retry opening Microsoft Exchange.

Is your CCleaner not deleting Firefox history? Check this guide out


3. Repair Microsoft Exchange using Control Panel

  1. Press the Win+X keys on your keyboard -> click Apps and features.Apps and features - Microsoft Exchange data storage error
  2. Select the Microsoft Exchange app from the list of apps -> click Modify.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.
  4. Retry opening the app.

4. Open a case with Microsoft Support

Microsoft support - Windows Exchange data storage error

If the above-mentioned methods didn’t prove helpful in your situation, then it is recommended that you open a case with Microsoft Support.

Provide a detailed description of your issue in order to get customized help directly from the official support branch of Microsoft.


In today’s article, we explored some of the most useful steps to follow in case you encounter the dreaded data storage error while using Microsoft Exchange.

Make sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid any other complications.

We would love to know if you found this guide helpful, or if you have any fix suggestions. Let us know by using the comment section below.



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FIX: OneDrive error code 0x8004ded7 on Windows 10/11

For some users, encountering error messages in OneDrive seems to be the norm. Even though this app is regarded as one of the best cloud storage and file-sharing application available, it is prone to encounter errors.

Here is what one user had to say about this issue on the Microsoft Answers forums:

Please help me, My One Drive cannot log in, when i log in error code 0x8004ded7. Thanks

error 0x8004ded7 - OneDrive error screenshot

 

Fortunately for you, because we understand how important it is to be able to access your files on OneDrive freely, we have compiled a simple troubleshooting guide.

This guide will show you the least invasive options at the start of the list, and we will gradually work our way towards the methods that are somewhat risky.

It is very important that you follow the steps described here closely to avoid any other problems from appearing.


How can I solve the 0x8004ded7 error code in OneDrive?

1. Update your OneDrive app to the latest version

  1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon found in your taskbar.
  2. Choose Settings -> Information.OneDrive settings - OneDrive 0x8004ded7
  3. Click the version number link.
  4. This will open up a webpage in your default browser software, and the OneDrive download page will appear.
  5. Download the latest version, open it , and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
  6. Check to see if the issue persists, and if it does, follow the next method.

2. Make sure no firewall or antivirus program is blocking access

Temporarily disable the Windows Firewall:

  1. Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard, type ‘control‘ and press Enter.
  2. Inside the Control Panel and click on System and Security (in category view).System and Security option - OneDrive error 0x8004ded7
  3. Select the Windows Firewall option.
  4. Click the link Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
  5. Select the bubble from the Turn Off Windows Firewall (not recommended) option.
  6. Click the Ok button to apply the settings.
  7. Check to see if this method has any effect on your OneDrive app error.

Note: If you find that your OneDrive app works properly after applying these steps, add OneDrive to the Windows Firewall whitelist settings.

Add OneDrive to your antivirus software allowed apps list:

As we all know, the required steps for this method will vary depending on the software you’re using to protect your PC from online threats.

You can search for the specific steps to achieve this by doing a Google search with the terms ”*your antivirus name* how to whitelist app”, or ”how to disable *your antivirus name*”, followed by the version of Windows that you’re using.

After you’ve performed the specific steps described in the google search you performed, it is recommended that you check if your OneDrive is working properly, and then re-activate your antivirus software.


Windows Firewall can’t change some of your settings in Windows 10?


3. Reset the OneDrive app

  1. Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Copy-paste this command inside the dialog box: %localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /resetRun dialog box with reset command - OneDrive error 0x8004ded7
  3. Press the Enter key to run it.
  4. Wait for 30 seconds.
  5. Restart your PC.
  6. Open OneDrive again and check to see if the problem persists.

4. Uninstall and re-install the OneDrive application

To uninstall:

  1. Press Win+X keys  -> select the option Windows PowerShell(Admin).
  2. Copy-paste this command and press Enter to run it: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exeClose OneDrive command PowerShell - OneDrive error 0x8004ded7
  3. Depending on what version of Windows you’re using -> copy-paste and run the following commands inside PowerShell:
  • 64-bit version: %systemroot%SysWOW64OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
  • 32-bit version:%systemroot%System32OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

To re-install:

  1. Press Win+X keys -> open Windows PowerShell(admin) or CommandPrompt(admin).
  2. Type the appropriate command inside PowerShell, depending on the configuration of Windows that you have:
  • 64-bit version: %systemroot%SysWOW64OneDriveSetup.exe
  • 32-bit  version: %systemroot%System32OneDriveSetup.exe

Note: After the installation process and the setup of your OneDrive app is completed,  check to see if the error still appears.


5. Submit a report using the Microsoft Feedback Hub

 

If the methods we presented above didn’t solve the OneDrive 0x8004ded7 error code, submit a report to Microsoft for more in-depth help.

  1. Press Win+X keys -> select Settings.
  2. Click the Privacy tab from the left-side menu.
  3. Select Diagnostics and Feedback.
  4. Change the setting to Full by ticking the bubble next to the option.
  5. After applying the settings from above, click the Report a problem button -> give as many details as possible regarding your issue with OneDrive (screenshots, error codes, the steps you’ve already tried to solve the issue, your Windows and OneDrive app versions, etc.)

Note: If you don’t want Microsoft to gather data about your PC after the report is completed, don’t forget to set the Diagnostic and Feedback setting back to Basic.

We hope that this guide has managed to help you solve the OneDrive 0x8004ded7 error message and that you’re able to use the app as it was intended to.

If you want to share your experience with us, don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the section found below this article.



[wl_navigator]

This is Not a Valid File Name on OneDrive: How to Fix it

Even though OneDrive is a very useful app, a large number of users see the This is not a valid file name error message.

Because it is one of the most used apps that offer online sharing, and file storage, OneDrive is bound to get into many conflicts with different system configurations and settings.

This error message seems to be associated with updating/uploading Microsoft Word documents on/to OneDrive. Read on to find out what you can do to troubleshoot it.

How can I fix the valid file name error on OnDrive?

1. Remove any unsupported characters from the name of the file

restricted characters - OneDrive error this is not a valid file name

File names should not contain any other characters other than letters and numbers. If your file has somehow accepted any other characters, remove them before trying to upload the file to OneDrive again.

 2. Rename the file that can’t be updated with a shorter name

  1. Right-click the respective file and click Rename.
    rename - OneDrive error this is not a valid file name
  2. Edit the name and use a shortened version.
  3. Press Enter to set the new name and try uploading the file to OneDrive again.

3. Rename the folders in which you have the file located on your hard-drive

Because of the same principles that apply to the method mentioned above, your OneDrive would not be able to process the information if the folder names are too big.

Follow the steps mentioned in the first method, but right-click the folder and not the specific file.

4. Relocate the file to another path on your PC

  1. Right-click the file with issues.
  2. Select the Cut option.
    cut
  3. Navigate to the required location on your hard drive (as close as possible to the partition’s root).
  4. Move the file to the new location.
  5. Retry uploading/updating your file to OneDrive.

Because Microsoft has a path character limitation of 259 characters, if the file is stored in a subfolder that has a very long path, this error will appear.

5. Change the name of the file from within Word

  1. Open the Word file by double-clicking it.
  2. Change the name of the file.
  3. Click File and select Save as.
    save as
  4. Navigate to your preferred location on your hard drive and hit Enter to save it.
  5. Try uploading/updating the file again.

6. Open a report ticket using the Microsoft Feedback Hub

You can do this simply by pressing the Windows key + F. This takes a screenshot of your issue and opens the Feedback Hub automatically. You can then follow the onscreen instructions to explain your issue.

If you’re worried about Microsoft gathering usage statistics because of the option activated in this method, don’t forget to revert the setting back to Basic from the Diagnostic and Feedback window.

In today’s guide, we explored some of the best troubleshooting steps available to resolve the This is not a valid file name error while trying to update or upload a Microsoft Word file to the OneDrive app.

We hope that you managed to solve this issue by using the methods we presented. In the same vein, if you are getting this item might not exist error on OneDrive, check our detailed guide to fix it.

Don’t hesitate to get in contact with us and share your experience. You can do so by leaving a comment in the section below this article.

OneDrive Error Code 0x8004de8a: 4 Ways to Get Rid of it

If you see the error code 0x8004de8a while trying to log into your OneDrive app, it means that, for now, you will not be able to access your online data.

This isn’t the only error you can encounter, and we already covered the 0x8004e4c3 OneDrive error code in the past. However, today we’ll focus strictly on the error at hand.

What does error code 0x8004de8a mean?

  • This OneDrive error occurs due to glitches with the OneDrive application.
  • Sometimes certain settings can lead to this and other similar errors.
  • Issues with your Microsoft account can sometimes result in this error.

How can I fix the 0x8004de8a error code in OneDrive?

1. Close and restart your OneDrive app

Close all OneDrive-related processes:

  1. Press the Win+X keys to open the Start menu.
  2. Select  Windows PowerShell(Admin) from the list.WinX menu - OneDrive error 0x8004de8a
  3. Type the following command inside the command prompt window: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
  4. Run the command by pressing the Enter key.

Re-launch OneDrive:

  1. Use the Cortana search box and type OneDrive.
  2. Choose to launch the first option from the top by clicking it.
  3. Utilize the same login data to log into your OneDrive account.
  4. Follow the instructions found on the screen to complete the login successfully.

 2. Reset OneDrive

  1. Follow the steps mentioned above to close all running instances of the OneDrive application.
  2. Open the Run dialog by pressing the Win+R at the same time.
  3. Write or paste this command inside the Run dialog box:
    %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /resetrun dialog box - onedrive error code 0x8004de8a
  4. Restart your PC.
  5. Launch OneDrive again and check to see if this method has proven useful.

It is worth mentioning that by resetting the OneDrive application,  you will lose the app data stored on your PC, and the pre-set options will also be affected. After the process is completed, you can re-configure your settings.

3. Use the Manage your account option in Windows settings

  1. Press the Win+X keys on your keyboard and click Settings.
  2. Inside the Settings window and navigate to Accounts.
  3. Choose the option Access Work or School.Access work or school - onedrive error code 0x8004de8a
  4. Click the option Manage Your Account.
  5. This will open a web browser. Click your account image and click Logout.
  6. Right-click the OneDrive icon inside the system tray and click Settings.
  7. Inside the Account tab you need to re-add your work account.

After doing that, check if the error is gone.

4. Make sure your personal and work accounts have different login data

  1. Change the credential data attached to your personal Microsoft account so that it’s different for work account.
  2. Uninstall OneDrive by accessing the Add or remove program list in Windows.
  3. Re-install the app by following these steps.
  4. Open OneDrive and log into your personal account.
  5. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon  -> Click Settings.OneDrive settings - onedrive error code 0x8004de8a
  6. Click the Account tab and choose the Add an account option.
  7. When entering the email address only use the characters before the @ (ex. johndoe if the full address is [email protected])
  8. Enter the full login credentials for your OneDrive work account.

In this guide, we discussed some of the best methods that have proven useful for other users in dealing with the OneDrive error code 0x8004de8a.

We hope you managed to sort out this annoying issue by using one or more of the methods presented in this list.

We covered various OneDrive issues, such as Sorry an error has occurred in OneDrive, so be sure to check it out.

If you want to share with us which one worked for you, feel free to leave a comment in the section below this article.

FIX: OneDrive error during Windows 10/11 shutdown

The OneDrive error on shutdown problem has been encountered by a wide range of users with different computer configurations.

OneDrive has proven to be a very important and efficient hosting service that gives you the power to easily back up your important files, documents, and photos.

Because it is part of the Office suite, this application’s utility increases even more, offering you access to all the other office tools from Microsoft.

Some users have reported that they see the OneDrive error on Windows 10 shutdown, and this prevents Windows 10 from properly closing.

Here is what one user had to say about this issue on the Microsoft Answers forum:

As it appears on the pop-up box when trying to Power Off my Laptop. I don’t even use OneDrive – and this stops my laptop from shutting down, despite following the option to Shut Down Anyway.

“The exception Breakpoint

A breakpoint has been reached.

(0x80000003) occurred in the applications at locations 0x0000000075FB82B2.

Click on OK to terminate the program …… I do this and as previously noted above it doesn’t shut down my laptop.

It seems that this error message could be related to some application files that have become corrupted or a possible incorrect setting inside the app.

Because we understand how frustrating this error can be, in today’s fix guide we will explore some of the best-proven methods to solve this issue.  Follow the steps carefully in order to fix this issue as soon as possible.

How do I fix the OneDrive shutdown error?

1. Restart the OneDrive application

  1. Right-click the Windows taskbar -> select Task Manager from the menu.Task manager - Onedrive error on shutdown
  2. Select the Processes tab -> search for the Microsoft OneDrive app in the list -> right-click it -> click the End Task option -> close the Task Manager.
  3. Click on the Start Menu -> search for the OneDrive app -> open it.
  4. Check to see if this method helped and if not, follow the next methods.

2. Reset the OneDrive app to its default settings

  1. Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialogue.
  2. Copy-paste this command inside the box: %localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /reset Run dialog box - OneDrive error on shutdown
  3. Press Enter to run it -> wait for the process to be completed (the OneDrive icon will disappear from your taskbar)
  4. After a few minutes, restart your computer and try to see if the issue persists.

Note: If the OneDrive icon doesn’t appear in the taskbar after you restarted your PC, follow step 1 from this method, and run the following command in order to start it:%localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe

3. Check the Security Permissions of your OneDrive folder

  1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the first method described above -> close the OneDrive app from the Task Manager.
  2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the location of your OneDrive folder (C:/User/%Username%).
  1. Right-click the folder -> choose Properties.
  2. Inside the Security tab -> click Advanced.OneDrive properties - Onedrive error on shutdown
  3. Make sure that System, Admin, and your personal account have Full Control.
  4. Check the box next to the option Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permissions from this object -> click Ok.

Note: If error messages are produced after trying to apply this method, click Ignore and take note of the files that had errors. You will then have to copy these files to another location on your hard drive, change the Security permissions as above, and then move them again inside the original OneDrive folder.

4. Uninstall and reinstall the OneDrive app

To uninstall:

  1. Press the Win+X keys -> choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).PowerShell menu - OneDrive error on shutdown
  2. Run this command -> taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
  3. Copy-paste the following commands depending on the version of Windows you use:
  • 64-bit version: %Systemroot%SysWOW64OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
  • 32-bit version: %Systemroot%System32OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

To reinstall:

  1. Download OneDrive and install it.
  2. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to log in.
  3. Move all the files found in the OneDrive.OLD folder to the newly created OneDrive folder.

In this guide, we explored the best methods to troubleshoot the OneDrive error on Windows shutdown that prevents you from using your PC normally.

This isn’t the only issue you can encounter, and many encountered OneDrive error 1001, but we covered it in a separate guide.

Feel free to share with us if this guide solved your issue. You can do so by simply using the comment section found below this article.

OneDrive server execution failed? Here’s a quick fix

It can be extremely frustrating to encounter the Server execution failed error message while trying to sync your files to OneDrive.

Not being able to sync your files to the cloud can be even more problematic if you need to do this in order to share files related to your work, or back up your important files for later use.

Because this error has been reported by a large number of users, in today’s fix article we will discuss some of the best methods to try in this situation.

Please make sure to follow the steps presented in this guide in the order they were written (from the least to the more invasive), in order to ensure that no other problems can appear.


How can I fix the server execution failed error in OneDrive?

1. Check if you can access OneDrive online

  1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon found in the taskbar, next to the clock (click the arrow ‘Show hidden icons’ if you can’t  see the icon)OneDrive in taskbar - OneDrive server execution failed
  2. Click More -> View online.
  3. If you can log in without any problems, then it means that the problem is caused by a local issue.
  4. Please follow the next methods to fix it.

Note: If you can’t sign into OneDrive online, please check the Service Health portal to make sure that the Microsoft Office Online Services are running properly.


2. Update your PC and OneDrive to the latest versions

Windows upgrade - OneDrive server execution failed

  1. Download the latest updates for your Windows 10 OS.
  2. Download the latest version of OneDrive and install it by following the on-screen instructions
    • If you already have the latest version of the app, the installer will stop automatically.
  3. Click the Start button -> open the OneDrive desktop application.
  4. Log in to the app and check to see if the issue persists.

3. Make sure the files that you need to sync are supported

Files - OneDrive server execution failed

  1. Check that none of the files are bigger than 20GB (if they are, you can simply reduce the size of the file by zipping it).
  2. The path of the file shouldn’t exceed 400 characters (if it does, shorten the name of the file, or move into a location closer to the root folder).
  3. Remove any characters that are not supported (ex. <, >, :, “, |, ?, *, /, ).
  4. Ensure that your folders don’t include unsupported file types.

4. Temporarily disable antivirus and firewall protection

antivirus - OneDrive server execution failed

Because performing this method will come down to what antivirus software you’re using, the exact steps can not be exemplified, but a Google search relating to this subject will help you do it.


Looking for a solid antivirus tool? Check out this article for our top picks!


5. Reset the OneDrive application

laptop and phone on desk - OneDrive server execution failed

    1. Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
    2. Copy-paste  the following command, and run it by pressing Enter:

%localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /reset

Note: It is worth mentioning that resetting OneDrive will disconnect your sync connections, but you won’t lose any of the files in the process.


In today’s fix article we discussed some of the best methods that can help you solve the Server execution failed error in OneDrive. We hope that you found this guide helpful and that now you can easily sync your files with the OneDrive servers.

Please feel free to let us know if you have any suggestions by leaving a comment in the section found below this article.



[wl_navigator]

How to enable the Profile Picker in Google Chrome

It’s a nice thing to change the profile in Google Chrome, especially if all the members of the family use the same computer. You don’t have to fight a second more for who closed which tab and why.

Google added the option to select a certain profile when you start the browser, just like when you select a profile on Netflix.

How can I enable the Profile Picker in Google Chrome?

If you want to enable the Profile Picker in Google Chrome follow these steps exactly:

  1. Open Google Chrome and type chrome://flags/#enable-new-profile-picker in the address bar.
  2. The top option will be exactly the New profile picker. Click on the button from the right to enable it.
  3. Press the relaunch button from the bottom right corner of the screen.

enabling the profile picker in Chrome

After you press the button, you will see all the profiles that exist on Google Chrome and you will be able to choose between them.

Of course, after you click the profile, Chrome will start with all the tabs the profile had opened the last time.

Profile picker profiles displayed

How can I  add another profile in Google Chrome?

If you enabled the Profile Picker, it’s as easy as to press the Add person from the bottom right corner of the starting window. Next, just type a name and pick a profile image for it just like in the picture below.

You can also create a shortcut for the profile on the desktop if you leave the checkmark on the bottom-left corner.

how to add a profile in Profile picker

How can I add a profile without Profile Picker?

If you didn’t enable the Profile Picker, it’s still pretty easy to add a profile.

  1. Click on the profile picture on the top right corner of the screen.
  2. Now click on the Add button from the bottom of the profile window. You will see the same window for adding a profile exactly as you see it if you want to add a profile from Profile Picker.


The Profile Picker is available now, but only for the Google Chrome Canary version.

Do you like the Profile Picker? How do you feel about it? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.

[wl_navigator]

How to fix a domain name that isn’t resolving

Working with domains and hostnames can be a tricky business. Sometimes, it can be infuriatingly tougher than actually designing and building your website.

Domain or hostnames are essentially IP addresses in disguise. Resolving a domain name means converting it into an IPAddress. Your domain name needs to point at the right IP address in order to work correctly.

So what should you do when your domain name isn’t resolving correctly? The following guide will answer that question for you.


What to do if my domain name isn’t resolving to the correct IP Address?

First things first, you need to ascertain if your domain name is truly pointing at the wrong IP Address. The easiest way to do this is by using a DNS lookup tool.

All you need to do is enter your fully qualified domain name in the Host textbox and then click on the Continue button.

The next screen will show you the hostname (your domain name) and the IP address next to it. You need to ensure that the IP address is correct.

If the DNS lookup tool produces no results, it could mean that there’s something wrong with your domain name or IP address.

Host name and IP address look up

After you’ve determined that the problem indeed lies within a misunderstanding between your domain name and IP address, you can begin troubleshooting it.

1. Fixing a domain registrar issue

  1. Double-check that your Domain name is fully registered.
    • The easiest way to do this is by using a domain lookup such as Whois.net.
    • You may find that you have to purchase the domain before using it.
    • If you find any issues with the domain or domain name, you’ll need to contact your registrar to get it sorted.
  2. If your domain has been registered and fully paid for and it has been a year or two since registry, your domain name may be expired.
    • Use the lookup tool to check if your domain has expired.
    • If it has and you’re still in the grace period, you may be able to renew it.
    • If not, you’ll have to wait until the domain name is dropped or released before you can purchase it again.
  3. If it’s not registered or expired, it may be that it’s suspended for some reason.
    • Look through the text result from the domain name to spot any abnormalities.

2. Fixing a DNS hosting provider issue

  1. If the IP address on your DNS service provider’s control panel or database differs from the address you see when you perform a DNS look, you’ll have to update the name servers for your domain and point them towards your DNS provider.
    • You can learn how to do this through your DNS provider’s help documents.
    • Alternatively, you can contact them.
  2. Make sure that the only name servers you’re using are your DNS providers.
    • If you’re using name servers from two different providers, this may cause random IP Adress resolution errors.
  3. If you’ve recently migrated from one DNS provider to another or changed IP addresses, there may be a propagation delay.
    • If that’s the case, you’ll need to wait for a minimum of 24-hours before the changes go through.
    • A little patience will resolve the issue for you.
  4. If you’re using a subdomain, you need to ensure that it’s pointing to your DNS provider’s name service.

3. Flush DNS Cache

  1. Open the Windows Power User Menu (Win + X).
  2. Click on Command Prompt (Admin) / Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  3. In the console window, type in the following command: ipconfig /flushdns.
  4. Hit the Enter key on your keyboard.
  5. After a while, you should see a success message.
    Reset domain name server

DNS name does not exist in Windows 10? Learn how to fix it with this guide


The above steps will flush and reset the DNS resolver cache. This should help fix all DNS related problems, including domain name resolution issues.

We hope the above guide helps you resolve your resolution errors. Which method worked for you? Don’t hesitate to leave a message down in the comment box.



[wl_navigator]

Surface Earbuds Review: Lookout Apple Airpods, these buds are truly comfortable

When you think of Microsoft, you probably think of Windows 10, PCs, and laptops. But, as of recent, the company has entered into a new market with two new products: Surface Headphones and Surface Earbuds.

Even with the Surface branding, you might be wondering if a company which is all about software and computers, could make the perfect pair of wireless earbuds. Well, after a week and a half of using the Surface Earbuds in my daily life and workflow, I can’t help but say that you shouldn’t be concerned.

From comfort, design, and so much more, the Surface Earbuds are truly amazing and are a true competitor to Apple’s Airpods.

Fit and design: It fits like a glove and invites you in for a touch

The most important part of the Surface Earbuds is the fit and design of the buds themselves. With a large touch surface on the side for controlling music and comfortable silicone tips for your ears, this is where they’re best.

Looking at the overall design of Surface Earbuds, you’ll see that Microsoft put a lot of focus on the exterior touchpads. Admittedly, the Earbuds might look a bit weird when in your ears for this reason. They’ll take up almost your entire ear canal and will draw attention, but it’s important to understand that this design has a purpose — for gestures and touch controls.

As for those touch controls, there is a total of 8 gestures you can use to your advantage. This includes a triple-tap to access a random song on Spotify on Android, and a tap and hold to bring up your voice assistant. That can be Siri on iOS, Google Assitant, or Cortana on Android or Windows 10. Other touch controls give you volume controls and options to skip songs.

This is a bit more advanced than just the double-tap gesture you get from Apple’s Airpods, and the four gestures you get on the Airpods Pro, or the 6 on Google’s Pixel Buds. The Surface Earbuds gesture are not customizable, though, but Microsoft still really went for something cool. If you want a similar touchpad on premium earbuds, you’ll have to give up another $100 on the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 (which are $300.)

Still, those gestures are really useful when you’re at your computer working through the day. I am a person that plays music from my phone when working. Thanks to the Earbuds, I didn’t need to go reaching to my phone to switch songs, change the volume, or answer my calls. I didn’t even need to ‘go digging” and move my hands around the Earbuds to see where I was touching, either. The large touchpads of the Surface Earbuds are designed for you to reach up and control your music. It isn’t too sensitive, either and I never experienced accidental touch.

Just be aware that there is no in-built Cortana in the Surface Earbuds. You still get a generic voice telling you which device you’ve connected to, or when you’re ready to pair, but all of the in-built Cortana functions of the original Surface Headphones are now gone. If you want Cortana, you’ll need to pair it with your PC. Not surprising, as Microsoft has repositioned the assistant.

Moving to the inside of the Surface Earbuds, you’ll find two microphones on each earbud, and the acoustic mesh grill which plays your music, It’s a really nice look, inside and out. Even replacing the tips is easy, with Microsoft giving you medium, small, and large tips to choose from. They stay secure and don’t easily fall out, unlike Apple’s Airpods Pro. The also company told me last October that the Earbuds can fit 95% of all ears, so there is a fit for you.

For the overall fit, the Surface Earbuds are amazingly comfortable. If you choose the right silicone tip, the Earbuds will feel very natural in your ear, without any pain sensations during long-haul use. That’s mainly because the buds do not sit tightly or directly enter your ear canal. Its silicone tips rather “rest” openly on the inside of your ears, relieving the pressure you otherwise get from similar noise-canceling earbuds or “canned” headphones. Its also to allow ambient noises in, as we get into later.

This is different from Google’s Pixel Buds, Apple’s Airpods Pro, or Samsung’s Galaxy Buds, all of which fit deeper inside your ear. To get a good fit, you put Surface Earbuds in with the tip facing down and then “screw” it upwards to secure. Microsoft says the Earbuds make contact with four points of your ear, but if you push hard enough you can get an air-tight seal to make the Earbuds go into your ear canal, but that obviously isn’t recommended.

Before getting the product I was initially worried that the Earbuds would fall out of my ears as I use them, but that wasn’t the case. The “small” tips create a nice fit in my ear that is quite secure. I tested out how this would work in a couple of ways. I went for a 2-minute jog around my block and the Earbuds stayed secure. I did a set of situps in my room, and the Earbuds stayed secure. I rode my bike around the yard and the Earbuds stayed secure.

The Surface Earbuds never fell out of my ears, even during routine productivity things like Microsoft Teams calls, or the process of listening to music while writing this review. They fit snug, secure, and will feel just as natural as your ears themselves as you wear them throughout your day.

Just be aware, Microsoft isn’t marketing these as fitness earbuds. They’ll work for fitness purposes if you want them, but as you get sweaty, be prepared to push them back into your ears after a short period of use. Keep the Earbuds for productivity, only, even if they are IPX4 rated.

Sound quality: Your music will sound good

Of course, sound quality is the most important thing, and this is yet another place where the Surface Earbuds don’t disappoint. From Electic Dance Music, Jazz, Pop, and more, your music will sound good with Surface Earbuds. Just don’t expect noise cancellation, mainly because of the open-ear design.

To get this level of sound quality, Microsoft is using what it is calling a “Surface Omnisonic sound profile” with “custom-designed drivers and precision tuning.” The company also says the tuning is “inspired by listening to the world’s best live music venues and most advanced audio equipment.” Importantly the SBC and aptX Bluetooth codecs are supported, too, for higher quality music on supported devices.

For me, this meant that at medium volume. the highs in the lyrics and the bass in Kygo’s Happy Now was great. The same applies when I listened to Rihanna’s We Found Love. Even a softer song like Capital City’s Safe and Sound was excellent sounding. Simply put, Surface Earbuds will be great for any lyrical music you listen to, though the bass isn’t as great as you’ll get with in-ear earbuds like Apple’s Airpods Pro.

But again, since the Earbuds are open-ear and sit on your ear canal and aren’t noise-canceling, you won’t (and can’t) really get a truly “outside-noise muted out” experience when listening to music. Those ambient sounds from around you will still go into your ear. You’ll need to keep the volume on the Earbuds to around 80% if you want to mute these ambient sounds out, but even then those around you might be able to get a peek at what you’re listening to due to the noise-bleed of the open-design on the Earbuds.

This ambient noise and lack of noise cancellation wasn’t a problem for me in my work from home environment, but if you’re outdoors, or in noisy environments, you’ll need to put the volume up to high levels to get a bit more immersed in your music. But again, if you want noise-canceling headphones, just buy the Surface Headphones 2 instead.

Again, this lack of noise cancellation isn’t a flaw and it shouldn’t be a reason not to buy Surface Earbuds. It’s all rather all by design. Microsoft says that Surface Earbuds are to “help you stay productive throughout your day.” Productivity often involves hearing the world around you and chatting with coworkers, friends, or family. So without noise-canceling features, you can keep the Surface Earbuds on all day instead of constantly pull them on and off just to talk to somebody. It’s also probably why I think the Earbuds lack an auto-stop feature when you pull them off, too, which many have complained about.

Even Apple’s Airpods Pro has software-based “Transparency mode” that lets you listen to the world around you without taking the earbuds off. Microsoft does this without software, but rather with the open-ear design. It is much more convenient.

To further try the productivity aspect, I tried the Earbuds on a 1-hour long Microsoft Teams call. I found that the person on the other end of my call sounded just as if they were in the same room as me. The microphones also enhanced my voice, too. When I asked the person on the call, he said that a lot of the background noise from me typing and taking notes wasn’t coming through and there was extra emphasis on my voice.

I found this quite interesting, as while wearing the Earbuds, I was still able to hear myself typing, and talking. It’s something you can’t get with earbuds that are noise-canceling, and I see the Earbuds as your best buds for our new work-from-home life.

Battery life and charging case: Designed to pick up and get going

Like I said when I first unboxed the Surface Earbuds, the highlight of Microsoft’s wireless earbuds is its charging case. With an oval “traffic light” shape and clean glacier color, this is unlike anything you’ll get from other wireless earbud makers. It’s clean and simple, down to the hidden pairing button on the bottom, the subtle LED light inside the case, and even the gray Surface Logo on the lid.

Sure, there’s the iconic white “floss” case for Apple’s Airpods or even the clean black cylindrical case for the Razer Hammerhead, but the Surface Earbuds are really unique in their own way. It’s designed to pick up and get you going throughout your workday, without worrying about the charge levels.

Coming in at 2.96 x 1.31 x 0.98 inches, and 40.7 grams in weight, the Surface Earbuds case is very indifferent from Apple’s Airpods. Apple’s is quite small, with a 2.11 x 1.74 x 0.84-inch dimension and 40.4-gram weight. With a tall and long build, this means Surface Earbuds case isn’t something you can easily fit in the little pocket in your jeans. It’s rather designed to slide into your big pocket, or your bag or purse. There is, though, perhaps a reason for this design — battery life.

Microsoft’s Surface Earbuds charging case can hold up to 24 hours of battery life with a single charge. That’s the same as Apple’s Earpods, but the Earbuds have one edge. They can last for 8 hours per change for continuous listening. On paper, that is longer than Apple’s Airpods, which only get you up to 5 hours of listening time per charge, according to this specs sheet.

In my week with the Earbuds (it typically makes up a 5-day a week 5-hour per day writing shift) I found myself that the change really held up. I only charged the case once. Your mileage might vary, but if you’re at home, in an office, or one of those essential workers going for a commute, the Surface Earbuds will be a good travel companion.

You’ll always have a charge in the Earbuds when you need it. Plus, you also don’t have to worry about the case breaking, either. It is plenty durable, and the lid isn’t too flimsy as you open and close it. The buds are also plenty secure when you slot them in the case and don’t move around as you shake the case thanks to some pretty strong magnets.

But nothing is perfect. The Surface Earbuds case does not support QI charging. That might be a deal-breaker for you, but Microsoft says that a 10-minute charge with the included USB-C cable can provide one hour of battery life. So, you can still prop the case in a USB-C plug to get a quick burst of juice for your commute or job it the battery is dead. That falls a bit short of the 3 hours of listening time you can get with a 15-minute charge in Apple’s Airpods case.

Integrations with Microsoft 365, multi-platform use, switching devices

Surface Earbuds go beyond just music. There’s an integration with Microsoft 365, too. They can be used to dictate in Word, and PowerPoint. You also can use them to live caption PowerPoints or translate your spoken words to another language with text on the screen. Finally, on iOS you can use the Earbuds to play your emails aloud. There’s even a feature coming that will let you swipe on the touch surface to control your PowerPoint slides.

I explained this in a separate post, and it’s quite nice to see Surface Earbuds pair up with Microsoft’s other services, too. But these features can still all work otherwise without the Earbuds, and with other Bluetooth headsets. It’s not exactly an exclusive.

Anyway, the Earbuds are still designed for multi-platform use. You can pair them with your iPhone, Android device, Windows 10 PC, and even on MacOS. Microsoft certifies the Surface Earbuds for iOS, Android, and Windows, but it’ll work on macOS too, though I found the touch controls won’t work on Apple’s desktop operating system. I paired the Earbuds to my Surface Laptop 3, MacBook Pro, Pixel 3 XL, Pixelbook Go, iPhone, and my Galaxy Tab S6. Thanks to Swift Pair, pairing is as easy as opening the lid and following the on-screen prompts on Android and Windows.

If you download the Surface Audio app for iOS, Android, and Windows, you’ll also have additional audio controls for the Earbuds and ways to update the firmware. You’ll be able to use an equalizer to change the low, mid bow, mid, medium-high, and the highs. There are also preset settings for Flat, Classic, Jazz, and Rock. It’s great that you have this level of control, but I do wish it was built into the system in Windows 10, where I mainly ended up using the Earbuds.

The small gripes, the bugs, and missing things

As much as I praised the Surface Earbuds, there are some bugs and gripes that I need to bring up. These don’t ruin the experience but are some things worth mentioning to avoid disappointment if you’re thinking of buying.

First off, the left earbud relies on the right one for pairing and connectivity. Another missing thing from the Earbuds is a charging status or light for the Earbuds case itself. While it is great that they get 24 hours charge, but there’s no real way of knowing how much battery is in them, asides from a red LED on the case. The Surface Audio software doesn’t show you, at least, not yet and I hope it gets introduced in a future software update.

Finally, the Surface Earbuds do not support Bluetooth multipoint. It’s a small inconvenience, but for $200 it is a let down to see that if I want to jump from using the Earbuds with both my PC and phone, I need to turn Bluetooth on and back off again on the device I want to use it on.

Still worth it, but there are alternatives if you want

If you’re considering buying the Surface Earbuds, they’ll be worth it for $200. The touch surface is absolutely unique, and the fit and audio quality and comfort will be great for daily use. However, there are still lots of alternatives right now which are worthy of mention.

You can find Google’ Pixebuds 2 for $179, which offers up some of the same touch controls and a more compact build and design. There’s also the Airpods Pro, which is $249, or the regular second-generation Airpods which are $200.

Of course, there are many other cheaper earbuds which I won’t get into, but the overall comfort, the touchpads, the design of Surface Earbuds are hard to beat and make the Surface Earbuds a nice shot at Apple Airpods. Good job, Microsoft.

Xbox One error 0x87de2712? Fix it fast with these easy steps

Sometimes, when trying to launch a game on Xbox you may encounter Xbox One error 0x87de2712. It occurs when the user tries to launch a game and the full error reads:

Please try again. Sorry, we couldn’t start the game name. If you have a disc, insert it now (0x87de2712).

This error can occur due to multiple reasons including Xbox Live server issues, incorrect alternate address as well as firmware related issues.

If you are also troubled by this error, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the Xbox One error 0x87de2712 so that you can complete your gaming session without any issues.

How do I fix Xbox One error 0x87de2712?

1. Check Xbox Live server status

Xbox One error 0x87de2712

  1. If you are using digital media. That is, if you don’t have access to the game disc or if it’s a multiplayer game that requires internet access, it may show some errors if the Xbox Live server is facing issues.
  2.  Xbox Live server can go down due to scheduled maintenance or if there is a hardware failure.
  3. Microsoft notifies the users if there is a service outage on its live status page.
  4. Visit the Xbox Live status page and check if there are issues with the Xbox service.
  5. Under the Game and Apps section, go through the apps that are listed as affected by some issues and are down.
  6. If found, you can’t do much about it. Microsoft will fix and change the status when the issue is resolved.

2. Change the network mode

If you have a disc, insert it now (0x87de2712)

  1. If in the earlier assessment your game is found to be listed in the Xbox Live Status is under maintenance, try changing the network mode.
  2. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the Guide menu.
  3. From the menu, navigate to Settings > System.
  4. Select Settings and choose Network.
  5. From the Network menu, open Network Settings.
  6. Access Go Offline section.
  7. This will put your console in Offline Mode.
  8. Restart the console to apply the changes.
  9. After the restart, try launching the game with the error and check if the error is resolved.

While some games may require the internet to complete synchronization, most of the games are designed to work offline. By putting your Xbox in Offline Mode, the games will temporarily suspend any process that requires access to the internet and let you play.


3. Clear alternate MAC address

If you have a disc, insert it now (0x87de2712)

  1. Press the Xbox button on your controller.
  2. From the Guide menu, select Settings > All Settings.
  3. Open the Settings tab.
  4. Choose Network option from the left pane and select Network setting.
  5. From the Network menu, select the Advanced settings option.
  6. Navigate and select the Alternate MAC address option.
  7. In the Alternate Wire MAC address menu and select the Clear button.
  8. Choose the Restart button to apply the changes.
  9. After the reboot, check if the Xbox One error 0x87de2712 is resolved.

4. Perform a power cycle

  1. Press and hold the Power/Xbox button on the console for 10 seconds.
  2. Release the button once the LEDs on the front stop flashing.
  3. Leave the console turned off for a few minutes.
  4. Disconnect all the cables connected to the console including the power cord.
  5. After a few minutes, reconnect the power cable and other cables.
  6. Power on the Xbox console by pressing the Power button.
  7. After the restart, try launching the game and check if the error is resolved.

The Xbox One error 0x87de2712 error can occur due to service outage. However, we have listed a few workarounds to help you resolve the error and resume playing the game.

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It’s not just you: Mojang is fixing issues preventing PC players from playing Minecraft Dungeons on launch day

If you’ve been unable to play Minecraft Dungeons on your PC after the game officially launched today, you’re not alone. Many PC gamers have been encountering “Unable to Verify Game Ownership” messages when launching the game today, and developer Mojang said that it was working on a fix.

“The issues around “Unable to Verify Game Ownership” in Minecraft Dungeons on Windows are still ongoing for some players but many are getting in and playing now. Thanks for your patience as server health improves,” the company said in a tweet published a couple of minutes ago.

Minecraft Dungeons has been released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows today, but only PC gamers seem to have trouble playing the game on launch day. The PC version is available from both the Windows 10 Microsoft Store and the standalone Minecraft Dungeons launcher for older versions of Windows. You can also play the game for free with Xbox Game Pass for PC and Console.

If you haven’t done in yet, we invite you to read our Minecraft Dungeons review published yesterday. If the dungeon crawler looks promising so far, it does feel a bit unfinished with a lack of support for cross-saves and cross-play multiplayer at launch.

Seeing the error code 28 on Vudu? Fix it easily in 3 steps

Vudu is a popular streaming service offering on-demand movies and TV shows to the users. However, several users have reported the Vudu failed to connect error code 28 when trying to use the app.

This error can occur if your system’s firewall is blocking the connection or if there is a glitch with the app.

If you are also troubled by this error, here are a couple of tips to help you troubleshoot Vudu failed to connect error code 28 in Windows and get back to watching your favorite show on time.


How do I fix Vudu failed to connect error code 28?

1. Disable your firewall

Vudu Failed to connect

  1. Click on Start and select Settings.
  2. Go to Update and Security.
  3. Click on Windows Security.
  4. Open Firewall and Network Protection.
  5. Click on your currently active network,
  6. Scroll down and toggle the switch to turn off Windows Firewall.
  7. Close the Settings window.
  8. If you are using a third-party antivirus with firewall, disable that as well.
  9. Open Vudu and check for any improvements.
  10. If the app works without any error, you may have to add the application to the whitelist.

Add Vudu to the exception list 

Vudu Failed to connect

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
  2. Type control and click OK.
  3. Click on System and Security.
  4. Click on Windows Defender Firewall.
  5. From the left pane, click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall option.
  6. Click the Change settings button. It may require administrative access.
  7. Scroll down and click on Allow another app button.
  8. In the Add an app window, click the Browse button.
    Vudu Failed to connect
  9. Navigate to the Vudu installation directory and select the Vudu.exe file.
  10. Click Open and then click Add.
  11. Once added, make sure you check both Public and Private box.
  12. Click OK to save the changes.
  13. Close the Control Panel window.

Make sure you enable Windows Defender Firewall before launching the Vudu app. If everything went right, you should be able to use the app without the error.


2. Reset your internet modem

Vudu failed to connect error code 28

  1. Unplug the power cable from the modem and also unplug it from the wall outlet.
  2. If the modem has any batteries, remove the batteries as well.
  3. Wait for a minute and leave the modem idle in the meantime.
  4. Reinsert the batteries (if available) and connect the power cable.
  5. Wait for a few minutes after connecting the power to complete the reset process. The modem lights should be solid.
  6. Connect your device to the internet and check if the Vudu app is working without any issues.
  7. If you are using a modem with a separate WiFi router make sure you reset the WiFi router as well.

3. Reinstall Vudu

Vudu failed to connect error code 28

  1. Click on Start and select Settings.
  2. Go to Apps.
  3. Search for Vudu in the installed apps tab.
  4. Select Vudu and click on Uninstall.
  5. Confirm the action by clicking on Yes.
  6. Download and install the app from the Microsoft Store.

The Vudu failed to connect error code 28 usually occurs if the antivirus or firewall is blocking the connection. By following the steps in this article can fix the error and get back to binge-watching your favorite shows on Vudu.

[wl_navigator]

Official Windows 10 May 2020 Update release information pages are now live

Last week, we reported that Microsoft has rolled out the official ISO files for Windows 10 version 2004 on MSDN. It looks like Microsoft is all set to launch Windows 10 May 2020 update this week as the company has quietly published the official release information and resolved issues pages for the May 2020 Update (via WinCentral).

As of this writing, the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (or version 2004) release information page indicates no known issue for this major update, though this is probably temporary. The Windows 10 May 2020 update is projected to release at any point between today, May 26 and May 28, and we’ll have to check this page to keep track of any known issues.

Windows May 2020 update known issues

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update introduces several new features including a new Cortana app that will be updated through the store, the Windows Subystem for Linux 2 (WSL2), an improved Bluetooth pairing experience, and much more. If you haven’t done it yet, we invite you to check out our hands-on video.

What to do if expired domain is unavailable

After building your website and choosing a host, you may find that the domain name of your dreams is taken. Instead of choosing another one, you may opt to wait for a couple of months until it expires.

Alternatively, you may have had a domain name before but you were unable to renew it before expiry.

However, just because a domain name is expired, doesn’t necessarily mean you can renew it or purchase it. You may be wondering why this is the case. In the following guide, we’ll explain why and how you can solve this.


How do I fix an unavailable domain name after expiry?

Expired domain name cycles all vary. When a domain name expires, most registrars will offer a grace period for the original registrant to renew an expired domain name(s).

During this period, the website (and email) will still be functional.

For most registrars, after the grace period comes a redemption period. During this period, the website and email become seize to function. After this period, there will be a short deletion pending period.

As soon as the deletion period is over, your registrar will delete and release/drop the domain name.

After the domain name’s release/drop, you’ll be able to scoop it up again, provided that someone hasn’t reserved it for backorder it or scooped it first.

A good example of this is ICANN, whose grace period is dependant on how long you’ve owned the domain name. In addition to this, each domain name extension has its own registry rules. This can impact the renewal process.

If you’re a domain name owner, who plans on keeping your domain for a long time, you need to prevent it from releasing after expiry. As the adage goes ‘prevention is better than cure’.


1. Auto-renew your domain

  1. Go to your host‘sregistrar’s Renewal andor Billing page.
  2. Log in if you haven’t already.
  3. Select the domain name you want to auto-renew and click on the Auto-Renew On button.
  4. The auto-renewal date should appear next to the domain name.

The above steps should work for most registrars and hosts such as GoDaddy. If the above steps didn’t work for you, you can find information on how to auto-renew your domain name on the registrar’s website. You’ll have to find the necessary documentation or help resources.

If you’re not the current owner or previous owner of the domain, you can grab the expiring domain before other users do.  During or after the redemption period, the domain name may be put on expired domain auction where anyone can bid for it, even the previous owner.

Alternatively, it may be available for backorder on a first-come, first-serve basis.


Looking for a hosting service with unlimited domains? Here are five


2. Grab the Domain Name after the expiry

  1. Find the domain registrar name through a service like WHOis.net.
    Find domain name registrar
  2. Find the auction partner.
    • There are three major auction houses:
    • Sometimes, the domain name registrar may not auction out domains. In that case, you’ll need to backorder the domain.
  3. Once, you find the auction house, make sure that you keep track of the domain name.
    • Alternatively, you can hire a backorder service to keep track of the domain and bids for you.
  4. You can either place a backorder or wait for the bidding to start on the domain.
    • Although, you can forgo this and wait for the domain name to be released or dropped while monitoring it carefully.
    • The latter option is a big gamble unless your domain name is undesirable.

If you’re the ex-domain owner and you’re trying to get your domain back after the grace period, you’ll have to wait a few days after the deletion period to buy it back.

Either way, waiting is your best option. If you have any questions or frustrations, please share them in the comment section below.



[wl_navigator]

FIX: Windows Installer error 0x80300002

So you’ve got the Windows Installer Error 0x80300002. That means that the system cannot be installed on the partition you indicated because there is something wrong with the partition or the media you’re installing the system from.

If you got the 0x80300002 error, you probably see this on your screen: We couldn’t install Windows in the location you choose. Please check your media drive. Here’s more info about what happened: 0x80300002.

Sounds serious and complicated but don’t panic. The computer can feel your panic and use it against you. Of course not! We will fix this together in no time.


How can I fix Windows Installer Error 0x80300002?

1. Check the media

The first thing you need to check is the media from which you are installing the Windows system. If you are doing it from a bootable DVD, a scratch, or just an old disk could be the smoking gun here.

A more subtle approach would be to check if there are any compatibility issues between the media and the BIOS.

If you are installing Windows 10 from an external HDD or SDD, and that is based on GPT (GUID Partition Table), then your BIOS should be set on UEFI and if the media is based on MBR (Master Boot Record), your BIOS has to be set on Legacy.

Sounds complicated but if you don’t know either of them, the most simple way to fix it is by toggling your BIOS boot mode. You will find the option in the Boot section.


Entering BIOS seems too complicated? Check out this guide for more information.


2. Create another bootable drive

  1. Insert a working USB drive.
  2. Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows Button + R, then type cmd.Windows Installer Error 0x80300002
  3. When the new window opens type diskpart to run the disk partitioning tool.
  4. In the new window type list disk to find all the drives on your computer and the external media.
    • Of course, the point of this is for you to identify the correct drive.Windows Installer Error 0x80300002
  5. Type disk X (where X is the correct number of the drive) to select it and then enter clean to erase all the configuration information and data from the drive.
  6. To create another partition on the drive type create part pri, then select part 1 to select it.
  7. The next step is to format it, so enter the command format fs=ntfs quick.
  8. To activate the newly formatted partition type active.
  9. Presuming that you have the image for Windows 10 ready, save it to the root of the USB storage device.

If you need any additional info on how you can create a Windows 10 UEFI bootable USB, follow the simple steps from this handy guide.

3. Recreate all partitions

If nothing you’ve read until now worked, you will need to start from scratch and that means recreating all the partitions again. Don’t worry because it’s not so complicated.

Just restart the installation until you find the part where the system asks you where to install Windows (Where do you want to install Windows?).

There you will have the options to delete the partitions and that’s what you need to do. Delete all the partitions, then use the New button to create fresh partitions.

You only need one primary partition to install the new system so you don’t need to get too deep in creating the others. You can do that after you successfully install the new system.

Of course, go on with the installation and hopefully jump for joy at the end. If you have any more questions or suggestions, leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.



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FIX: An existing connection was forcibly closed error

Some users have posted on game support forums about an An existing connection was forcibly closed error message. The full error message states:

Internal Exception: java.io.IOException: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.

The error arises when users try to play games that require connection with a server, such as Minecraft. As a result, players can’t join the games’ servers.


How do I fix the connection forcibly closed error?

1. Select Enable operating system’s restricted environment

Users have confirmed they were able to fix the remote host error by selecting the Enable operating system’s restricted environment option.

  1. To do that, press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.
  2. Enter Control Panel in Run’s text box, and press the Return keyboard key.
    Control Panel window An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host
  3. Click System Security and Programs to open a list of applets for that category.
  4. Then click Java to open the window in the shot directly below.
    Java Control Panel An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host
  5. Select the Advanced tab on that window.
  6. Then select the Enable operating system’s restricted environment option shown directly below.
    Enable the operating system's restricted environment option An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host
  7. Select the Apply option.
  8. Click OK to exit.

2. Turn off antivirus software

The remote host error might be due to third-party antivirus software blocking a game’s connection with server. So, turning off antivirus software might resolve the issue for some users.

To disable an antivirus utility, right-click the system tray icon for it and select a disable or turn off option on its context menu.

If the utility’s context menu includes a disable firewall setting, select that option as well. Then try playing the game with the antivirus software disabled.

Disable Auto-Protect option An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host


Looking for a reliable antivirus? Check out this article for our top picks!


3. Adjust Windows’ firewall settings for Java SE Binary

Some users might need to adjust Windows Defender Firewall’s app permission settings for Java Platform SE binary.

  1. To do that, press the Windows key + S keyboard shortcut.
  2. Input the keyword firewall in Windows’ search utility.
  3. Then click Windows Defender Firewall to open that applet.
  4. Click the Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall option on the left of the WDF applet.
  5. Click the Change settings button.
  6. Scroll down to the Java Platform SE binary check box options.
    Java Platform SE binary check boxes An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host
  7. Select the Private check boxes for all the Java Platform SE binary features listed.
  8. Click the OK button.

4. Reinstall JDK

Some users have said they’ve fixed the remote host error by reinstalling JDK (Java).

  1. First, open the Run accessory.
  2. Next, input appwiz.cpl in Run’s Open box; and click the OK option.
    The Windows uninstaller An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host
  3. Select Java SE listed on Windows 10’s uninstaller.
  4. Click Uninstall and Yes to remove Java SE.
  5. Restart Windows after uninstalling Java SE.
  6. Next, open a browser.
  7. Click JDK Download for the latest version on the Java SE Downloads page.
  8. Thereafter, install JDK with its setup wizard.

5. Flush the DNS cache and restart router

Some Minecraft Hypixel players have fixed the remote host error by flushing DNS cache.

  1. Enter cmd in Run’s Open box and click OK to open the Command Prompt.
  2. Input ipconfig /flushdns in the Prompt, and press the Enter key.
    The flushdns command An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host
  3. Close the Command Prompt.
  4. Restart your router after flushing DNS. You do that by unplugging the router, or pressing its on/off button.
  5. Minecraft players can also try connecting with the Stuck.hypixel.net server, which might help fix the issue.

Those are some of the resolutions that have fixed the remote host error for players. They aren’t entirely guaranteed resolutions for all software the error arises for, but Minecraft players have confirmed those fixes.

Let us know which of these solutions allowed you to play Minecraft again without any issues.

Do so by leaving your feedback in the comments section below.



[wl_navigator]

ExpressVPN won’t launch, unable to start service [Fixed]

If ExpressVPN won’t launch in Windows 10 or is unable to start service, you’ll have to take a closer look at your VPN client’s application.

Users also complain about the fact that everything seemed to work just fine and the VPN suddenly stopped launching in Windows 10.

These issues will leave your traffic data unencrypted and you won’t be able to access any geo-locked platforms without the VPN, but we got your back.

Use the solutions below if ExpressVPN won’t launch or see an ExpressVPN engine unavailable message.

Why is my ExpressVPN not opening?

If your ExpressVPN is not starting and instead displays an error message such as Engine Unavailable, Service Unreachable, or Unable to start service, it’s possible that:

  • You run an outdated version of the VPN
  • The VPN application installed on your PC has corrupt files
  • The operating system you have is outdated
  • System permissions prevent the VPN app from running all its essential processes

You can fix all of these within minutes if you follow the correct workarounds.

What can I do if ExpressVPN won’t launch?

  1. Reinstall the ExpressVPN app
  2. Update your ExpressVPN app
  3. Use Command Prompt (Admin)

1. Reinstall the ExpressVPN app

  1. Right-click Start and select Programs and Features.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  2. Look for ExpressVPN in the list of programs. Once finding it, select Uninstall.
  3. You’ll get a notification after the successful uninstall, so click Close to exit the wizard.
  4. If ExpressVPN is still listed as available after completing these steps, right-click Start and select Run.
  5. Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter to open the Network Connections window.
  6. Under Network Connections, right-click on the WAN Miniport labelled ExpressVPN.
  7. You must now select Delete.
  8. Click Start and select Settings.
  9. Then, click Network & Internet.
  10. Select VPN. If you see ExpressVPN as available, don’t hesitate to delete it.

Even if it sounds tempting enough to go for another VPN from the start, we strongly advise you against any rushed decision.

The first thing to do in this case is to uninstall ExpressVPN from your machine. Once deleted, install the app again and see if it helps.

Use the above steps in that regard and don’t miss your chance to stay anonymous anytime you go online.

A single click is all it takes to be protected when using this Express VPN International Ltd. solution.

ExpressVPN

Don’t hesitate to reinstall this amazing VPN and keep your network data encrypted!
Free trial Visit website

2. Update your ExpressVPN app

Upgrade to the latest version of the ExpressVPN

  1. Sign in to your account.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  2. Click Set Up ExpressVPN.
  3. Select Windows on the left-side menu and then click Download on the right.
  4. Set up your app.

Set up the app

  1. Find the download file and double-click on it.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  2. The setup process will begin with a Welcome screen. Click Install.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  3. If you get a popup dialogue asking you Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? Click Yes.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  4. Wait while the app is being installed on your PC.
  5. During installation, you may be asked to close any running instances of ExpressVPN, click OK to close running instances of ExpressVPN, and proceed with the installation.
  6. You’ll need to install the ExpressVPN TAP driver as part of the app installation process. When you see the Windows Security screen for ExpressVPN Network adapters, click Install.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  7. You will be notified when the installation process has successfully completed. The app will automatically launch once the process is finished.
  8. Click Close to exit the Setup Wizard and launch ExpressVPN.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  9. You can also launch ExpressVPN by locating the ExpressVPN shortcut on your desktop and double click the icon to launch ExpressVPN.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable

Did this help fix the problem? If not, try the next solution.

3. Use Command Prompt (Admin)

  1. Press Start and type CMD in the search bar.
  2. Look for Command Prompt, right-click and select Run as Administrator.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  3. On the command prompt, type the following command: net start ExpressVPN service.ExpressVPN won't launch / ExpressVPN engine unavailable
  4. Press Enter.
  5. Launch ExpressVPN again.

Thankfully, there are known and easy quick-fix solutions to help you get by this problem with ExpressVPN not launching on your PC.

Let us know in the comments section below whether any of these solutions worked to fix the ExpressVPN won’t launch issue on your computer.

FIX: The Automation server can’t create object error

Some Internet Explorer users have posted on support forums about an Automation server error that arises within that browser. When those users try to open certain websites in IE, an Automation server can’t create object error message pops up.

One user stated in a forum post:

I am trying to access a website, but whenever I do that I am getting the error Automation server can’t create object… I am using IE 11 and Windows 10.


How can I fix the Automation server error?

1. Enable the Initialize and script ActiveX controls option

This is one of the most widely confirmed fixes for Internet Explorer’s Automation server error.

  1. Open Internet Explorer’s window.
  2. Click the Tools gear button at the top right of Internet Explorer.
  3. Select Internet options to open the window in the shot directly below.
    Internet Options window automation server can't create object windows 10
  4. Click Trusted Sites on the Security tab of that window.
  5. Press the Custom level button.
  6. Select Enable for the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe for scripting settings shown directly below.
    Security Settings window automation server can't create object windows 10
  7. Click Yes to confirm your selected setting.
  8. Click OK to exit the window.

2. Enable the script ActiveX control with Group Policy Editor

Alternatively, you can enable the script ActiveX control setting in Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise with Group Policy Editor.

  1. Right-click the Start menu and select Run to open that accessory.
  2. Input gpedit.msc and click OK to open Group Policy Editor.
    Local Group Policy window automation server can't create object windows 10
  3. Double-click Administrative Templates, within Computer Configuration, on Group Policy Editor’s navigation pane.
  4. Then click Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Internet Control Panel > Security Page > Internet Zone within Group Policy Editor.
  5. Double-click the Initiate and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe for scripting policy in Group Policy Editor.
  6. Select Enabled for that policy.
  7. Select the Apply option, and click the OK button to exit.
  8. You’ll need to restart Windows for the new setting to take effect.

3. Reset Internet Explorer

  1. Users have also confirmed they’ve fixed the Automation server error by resetting Internet Explorer. So, open Internet Explorer.
  2. Click Tools to open the menu shown directly below.
    Tools menu automation server can't create object windows 10
  3. Click Internet Options to open that window.
  4. Click the Advanced tab.
  5. Then press the Reset button to open the window in the shot directly below.
    Reset Internet Explorer automation server can't create object windows 10
  6. Select the Delete personal settings check box.
  7. Select the Reset option.
  8. Restart Windows after resetting Internet Explorer.

4. Try browsing with Edge

This isn’t exactly a fix, but you can always browse with Edge instead. Internet Explorer is a dated browser that Microsoft Edge has replaced as the default one for Windows 10.

So, try opening the same websites the Automation server error arises for in Edge instead. The websites might open without any issues in that browser.

Edge browser automation server can't create object windows 10

There aren’t that many confirmed fixes for the Automation server error. However, the resolutions above are widely confirmed to fix that error. So, they’ll probably fix the issue for most users.

Let us know which one worked for you by leaving us a message in the comments section below.



[wl_navigator]

FIX: Security database on the server error

The security database error arises for some users when they try to log in to domain servers with domain accounts via Windows 10. The full error message states:

The security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust.

Consequently, users can’t log in with domain accounts. However, they can still log in with local administrator accounts.


How can I fix the security database error?

1. Restart your domain connection

Restarting the domain connection is among the most widely confirmed fixes for the security database error.

  1. First, log in with your local administrator account.
  2. Next, press the Windows key + X hotkey to open a menu.
  3. Select Run to open its window.
  4. Input sysdm.cpl in Run’s text box box and click OK to open the window shown directly below.
    System Properties window the security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust
  5. Press the Change button on the Computer Name tab.
    Domain Changes window the security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust
  6. Select the Workgroup radio button.
  7. Type WORKGROUP in the text box for that option.
  8. Press the OK option.
  9. Click OK on the dialog box that opens.
  10. Then click OK again on the next Domain Changes dialog box.
  11. Press the Close button on the System Properties window.
  12. Select the Restart Now option on the dialog box that opens.
  13. Thereafter, you’ll need to rejoin the domain.
    • Open the Computer Name/Domain Changes window again.
  14. Select the Domain option.
  15. Then enter your domain name in the text box for that setting, and click the OK button.
  16. Enter you domain administrator account within the login window that opens, and click the OK button.
  17. After rejoining the domain, you’ll need to restart Windows again.

2. Check Windows 10’s date and time settings

  1. Check that Windows 10’s date & time settings (for the client) are right for your time zone.
    • Click the Type here to search button on the left of the taskbar.
  2. Input date in the search box.
  3. Then click Change the date and time to open the Settings window as shown directly below.
    Date & time options the security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust
  4. If the date and time isn’t quite right for you, select the Set time automatically option if that’s not enabled.
  5. If Set time automatically is already enabled, turn that option off.
  6. Click the Change button.
  7. Enter the right date and time for your time zone in the window shown directly below, and click the Change option.
    Change date and time window the security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust
  8. In addition, check the Time zone setting is correctly configured.
    Time zone drop-down menu the security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust

3. Enable Network Discovery

  1. Make sure Network Discovery is enabled. To do so, input cmd in the Type here to search box.
  2. Open an elevated Prompt window by right-clicking Command Prompt and selecting the Run as administrator option.
  3. Then input this command in the Prompt’s window:
    • netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group=”network discovery” new enable=yes.
    • Don’t forget to press the Enter key to initiate the command.
      Network Discovery command the security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust

4. Reset DNS Addresses

In addition, resetting the DNS addresses might help fix the issue.

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt as outlined for the third resolution.
  2. Input ipconfig/flushdns in the Command Prompt and press Enter to flush the DNS cache.
    The ipconfig commandthe security database on the server does not have a computer account for this workstation trust
  3. Then type ipconfig /registerdns in the Prompt’s window, and press the Return button.

The above resolutions might fix the security database error so that you can log in with your domain account again. They’re not necessarily 100 percent guaranteed for everyone, but there’s a pretty good chance they’ll fix the issue.

Let us know which of the methods helped you by leaving your feedback in the comments section below.



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Fix: The Array Value Could Not be Found Error in Sheets

Google Sheets is among the best freely available spreadsheet app alternatives to Excel. Sheets includes a SUBSTITUTE formula that enables you to replace a specific letter (or text string) in one cell with a word.

The cell that includes the SUBSTITUTE formula can display the replaced text for one cell.

However, the SUBSTITUTE formula can’t display replaced text output for a range of cells. If you include a cell range within it, the formula’s cell will display an Array value could not be found error message as shown in the snapshot directly below.

If you’re wondering how to fix that error so that SUBSTITUTE can be applied to a range of cells, check out the resolutions below.

The An array value error an array value could not be found excel

How can I fix the array value error for SUBSTITUTE?

1. Turn the SUBSTITUTE formula into an array formula

To fix the Array value could not be found error, you need to incorporate SUBSTITUTE within an array formula. An array formula is one that can return multiple output for a range of cells.

Thus, users who need to replace text in range of cells and then display the output in another range need to utilize an array formula.

So, what you need to do is add ARRAYFORMULA to the beginning of the SUBSTITUTE formula. To do that, select the cell that includes the SUBSTITUTE formula.

In addition to optimizing your SUBSTITUTE formulas with ARRAYFORMULA, it’s also important to understand other array methods in JavaScript. Learn more about troubleshooting issues with Array.prototype.map() and arrow functions to enhance your JavaScript coding skills.

You must click in the formula bar, enter ARRAYFORMULA just after the equals (=) sign as shown in the snapshot directly below.

SUBSTITUTE array formula an array value could not be found excel

Then your SUBSTITUTE formula will display replaced text output for a range of cells instead of an array error.

In the example shown in the snapshot directly below, the formula replaces Y in three column cells with Yes and displays the output across three other cells below them.

Cell output for the SUBSTITUTE array formula an array value could not be found excel

2. Enter the REGEXMATCH formula instead

Alternatively, you could combine REGEXMATCH with an array formula for the same output.

  1. To do that, open the Sheet spreadsheet you need to add the formula to.
  2. Select a cell to include the formula in (it will display output across multiple cells).
  3. Then copy this formula with the Ctrl + C hotkey: =ArrayFormula(if(REGEXMATCH(B2:B4,”^Yes|yes|Y|y”)=true,”Yes”)).
  4. Click inside Sheets’ formula bar.
  5. Paste the REGEXMATCH formula into Sheet’s formula bar by pressing Ctrl + V.The REGEXMATCH formula an array value could not be found excel
  6. That formula replaces Y with Yes for the cell range B2:B4.
    • You’ll need the change the Y and Yes text in the formula to whatever you need for it.
  7. In addition, you’ll need to change the cell reference in that formula to match your own requirements.

3. Enter the REGEXREPLACE formula

  1. REGEXREPLACE is another alternative you can try when your SUBSTITUTION formula doesn’t return the expected output.
  2. Open Sheets in a browser.
  3. Select a cell for the REGEXREPLACE formula.
  4. Copy this formula: =ArrayFormula(regexreplace(” “&B2:B4&” “,” Yes | Y | Y “,” Yes”)).
  5. Click within the formula bar, and press the Ctrl + V hotkey to paste the formula.
    The regexreplace formula an array value could not be found excel
  6. Thereafter, edit the REGEXREPLACE formula’s referenced Y and Yes text to whatever text you need to substitute.
  7. Change that formula’s cell reference to meet the requirements of your spreadsheet.

So, that’s how you can fix the Array value could not be found error in Google Sheets. The overall resolution is to combine SUBSTITUTE, REGEXREPLACE, or REGEXMATCH with array formulas so that they display replaced (or substituted) text output across a range of cells.

Let us know if you found this tutorial to be useful by leaving us a message in the comments section below.

What to do if PUBG Lite is Not Available in Your Region

You can click Download on the PUBG Lite website to install the PUBG Launcher for that game. However, PUBG Lite is not available in all regions. However, you can circumvent that problem fairly easy.

How can I fix the PUBG not available in your region error?

1. Check your clock and region system settings

If you are in one of the serviced regions, and still can’t play PUBG Lite, then your laptop’s or desktop’s clock and region settings might not be right.

  1. First, press the Windows key + R hotkey to launch Run.
  2. Enter Control Panel in the Open box, and click the OK button.
  3. Click Clock and Region and Region to open the window shown directly below.
    Formats tab pubg not available in your region
  4. Select your own region (country you’re in) on the Format menu if the right one isn’t selected there.
  5. Click Apply and OK.
  6. Click Date and Time on the Clock and Region Control Panel applet.
  7. Select the Show this clock option on the Additional Clocks tab.
    Date and Time window pubg not available in your region
  8. Select the time zone you’re in.
  9. Select the Show this clock option and your time zone for clock 2 also.
  10. Then click the Apply option.
  11. Click Change time zone on the Date and time tab.
    Time Zone Settings pubg not available in your region
  12. Then select the time zone you’re in on the window directly below.
  13. Click the OK button.

2. Connect to Thailand server with VPN software

Those who aren’t in a PUBG Lite serviced region can still play the game by connecting with a VPN.

  1. First, press the Windows key + S hotkey.
  2. Input time in the Type here to search box and click Change the date and time to open the window directly below.
    The Date & time tab pubg not available in your region
  3. Turn off the Set time automatically option
  4. Toggle the Set time zone automatically option off.
  5. Select (UTC +07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta on the Time zone drop-down menu, which is Thailand’s time zone.
  6. Now you’ll need to install VPN software.
    1. Click Download SoftEther VPN client, which is freeware VPN software, on the VPN Gate client download page.
  7. After installing and opening that software, select VPN Gate Public VPN Relay Servers to open a server list.
    SoftEther VPN software pubg not available in your region
  8. Double-click on a Thailand server with an uptime less than six hours to connect with it.
  9. When connected with VPN server, open the PUBG Launcher to play the game.

So, that’s how you can fix the PUBG not available in your region error to play the game in both non-serviced and serviced PUBG Lite regions. Did you know you can check the PUBG latency to see how strong is your connection to the server?

Then you can sample all the thrills and spills PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds has to offer.

How to fix Xbox One error: Your account has been locked

For several reasons, when you try to log in to your Microsoft account on your Xbox One, the your account has been locked 0x80a40014 Xbox error shows up on your screen.

With this error, you cannot get your game data or access your games.

The error comes with no prior warning, and you feel like your Microsoft account is locked for no reason. It may be locked after multiple failed logins or a bug in the system.

Also, the your account has been locked 0x80a40014 Xbox error could show up when you violate Microsoft’s ToS. We won’t dwell on the causes but offer you quick fixes to this issue. Read this guide to the end.


How do I unlock my Xbox One account?

1. Confirm that the Xbox Live servers are onlineconfirm xbox one server status when your Microsoft account locked for no reason

Before proceeding with the other fixes, the first thing you should note is that due to server challenges, Microsoft can block several accounts that give false positives.

You can confirm whether or not this is the case via the Microsoft Xbox Live status website.

The screenshot above shows that there is no issue with the Xbox Live servers. However, if you identify a problem, then it means that the problem is beyond your control.

You can only wait until Microsoft resolves their server problem.

While waiting for the fix, you can still enjoy your Xbox One by putting it on Offline mode.  In this mode, you cannot enjoy multiplayer games or stream or access your digital content.

Learn how to enter the Offline mode in the solution below.


2. Use your Xbox One in Offline mode

  1. Power on your console and open the guide menu by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
  2. In the guide menu, go to Settings > System > Settings > Network to open the network menu.
  3. Next, from the left panel, click on the Network settings menu.
  4. Select Go Offline and then hit the A button to activate the Offline mode.
  5. If it prompts you to confirm the action, click Yes.
  6. Restart your Xbox One console, and the your account has been locked 0x80a40014 Xbox error will disappear.

3. Delete your profile and perform a power cycling procedure

  1. Power on your console, and once again, open the guide menu by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
  2. Next, go to Settings > All Settings and press A.
  3. In the Settings menu, click on the Accounts tab and select the Remove accounts option.
  4. After opting to remove your accounts, the next step is to select the profile to delete and confirm it when you are asked to do so.
  5. Next, close this menu and get back to your dashboard.
  6. Now, press and hold the Xbox button on your console until the console is completely off, and the LED no longer flashes.
  7. Finally, power on the console to complete the power cycling procedure.
    • You should see the Xbox animation when the console is about to come on.

4. Reach out to the Xbox support

If you delete your account and perform a power cycling procedure, but then your account has been locked 0x80a40014 Xbox error still does not disappear, you may need to speak with the Xbox support.

Visit the following website https://beta.support.xbox.com/contact-us, click on Ask a question, and let them know that your Microsoft account locked for no reason.

The your account has been locked 0x80a40014 Xbox error pops up randomly, even if you do not remember violating any of Microsoft’s Terms of Service. Microsoft’s support team can help you unlock your account when you reach out to them.

In the meantime, you can follow the steps here to put your console in the Offline mode and cut off yourself from Microsoft’s services to enjoy your games.

Another solution for resolving this issue when it seems your Microsoft is account locked for no reason is to delete your profile and perform a power cycling procedure.

If any of the fixes here worked for you, do let us know in the comments below.



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Posted in Fix

How to Fix XPS Print Error: Memory Allocation Failure

Unfortunately, when it comes to printing XPS documents (XML Paper Specification), users have reported the XPS Print Error: Memory allocation failure error.

Mismatch issues oftentimes cause the error in the operating system related to the printer driver. Consequently, the successful solution applied in this case proved to be changing the default XPS driver or class driver with the manufacturer’s PS printer driver or a PCL printer driver.

Note that when you install a printer, if you allow Windows to do all the settings, it will automatically install the XPS driver. 

How do I fix an XPS print error?

1. Install the correct driver from the manufacturer website

  1. On your device, open Settings.
  2. Click on Devices > Printers & Scanners > your printer > Manage Printer >Printer Properties > Advanced tab.
  3. If you don’t see an alternative to the printer driver (i.e. if you did not install PCL or PS driver components during the printer installation) > go to your printer‘s manufacturer site.
  4. Search for the universal printer driver or PostScript driver.
  5. Download and install. Make sure it is the v3 version, not v4, since v3 is more flexible.
  6. During the installation, you might be prompted to provide your IP address so have it at hand.
  7. You might have to reboot the computer.

2. Disable Print to file or Print as image

  1. Assuming you’re already on the Print dialog box, click on the Printer drop-down menu and select the correct printer from the list.
  2. Click on the Properties button next to the printer’s name.
  3. Now, click on the Advanced tab.
  4. Look for an option called Print to file or Print as image and uncheck it.
  5. Click on OK to save your changes and close the dialog box.
  6. Finally, click on the Print button to print your document and see if the XPS Print Error persists.

Additionally, we recommend changing the PDL settings (Printer Drive Language) from PCL XL to PCL 5e (also found in Printer Properties, as shown above).

Many of our readers stumbled across the Memory allocation failure on Kyocera. If you’re in the same situation, follow the highlighted dedicated guide for tested fixes.

We hope that this solution helped you fix the XPS printing error. If you have any further suggestions, please submit them in the comments section below.