Fix Microsoft Error Code 6009: OneDrive Cannot Remove File

Written By Farhan Max

Suppose you created a temporary file in the Microsoft OneDrive app to note down some info. After finishing your task, whenever you try to delete that file, OneDrive shows you error code 6009. It’s annoying, right?

As a regular user of Microsoft OneDrive since my home office started, I often faced the error code 6009 like you. After wasting hours finding a solution, I finally found the reasons behind this error and fixed them successfully.

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So, What is Microsoft error code 6009? 

Microsoft error code 6009 refers to the inability to delete a file from OneDrive because it’s being edited by someone else. Stacked up cache files, background process interruption, unstable internet causes OneDrive to Malfunction, which displays this error.

Stay with me through the whole post, and don’t skip anything as I’m about to show you how to fix Microsoft error code 6009.

What causes Microsoft OneDrive Error 6009? 

The Microsoft OneDrives error code 6009 is mainly caused by OneDrive’s junk cache files and an unstable internet connection. Also, overlapping background processes and minor glitches inside the app trigger the error code 6009 in Microsoft OneDrive.

I’ve found several reasons behind the Microsoft OneDrive error code 6009, which I’ve pointed out in my listing below. Find the one behind your inconvenience among them.

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So, the reasons behind Microsoft OneDrive error code 6009 are:

Junk Cache Files

Every app creates temporary cache files inside the Windows AppData folder to operate it’s processes smoothly. Running a cloud software like Microsoft OneDrive piles up a massive junk of cache files.

After a session of editing or storing files in OneDrive is completed, cache files of that session are stored inside the Windows, and they’ll interrupt the background processes of the app in the next session.

This cache files’ interruption might be the reason behind the error code 6009 on Microsoft Onedrive and causes difficulties deleting files from the app.

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Unstable Internet Connection

The next issue causing Microsoft error code 6009 is checking your internet connection to see if you can share your file editing activities with the OneDrive app on your network. 

Sometimes, a lousy internet connection is the root of your problem. Editing files on a cloud sharing and storage website requires seamless connectivity with the internet to preserve real-time changes of the file. Microsoft OneDrive is no exception. It requires high-speed internet access to sync your activities with OneDrive. Otherwise, if you use a lousy internet connection, you won’t perform your commands in OneDrive.

Glitches in OneDrive App 

Sometimes the OneDrive app faces some glitches with it’s processes. These glitches force the app to misbehave and block you from deleting a file, thinking it’s still opened on your device. 

The OneDrive app stores files and lets you edit them on your pc while every change is synced through the internet with the stored file. This process depends on various operations within Windows OS. But, sometimes, these operations overlap and interrupt the syncing process, which leads you to the inability to delete the actual file.

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When the upper incident occurs, it leads you to the Microsoft error code 6009.

Microsoft Office Reading Files in the Background

The glitches I mentioned earlier can also force Microsoft office to keep the files opened in the background, making the OneDrive app unable to delete them. 

You cannot delete a file in Windows if it’s still opened. Microsoft Office might keep a file opened in the background because of overlapped processes inside Windows. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to delete the file manually from your pc or your OneDrive account. Whenever this occurrence happens, you’ll get the Microsoft error code 6009 from OneDrive.

Outdated OneDrive App 

Sometimes, an outdated OneDrive app is the root of your problem. I always forget to update the apps installed on my device unless they remind me to do so. If that’s also the case with you, and for some reason, you didn’t notice the automatic update prompt, it won’t be able to be updated. 

An outdated app lacks the latest features and changes offered by the vendors. Sometimes the latest service algorithm doesn’t match with an older version of the app, and it may become obsolete, then you’ll face various issues and bugs while using the app. In the worst-case scenario, it can mess up your user experience with the Microsoft error code 6009.

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How to Fix Microsoft Error Code 6009 

Alright, I won’t keep you waiting anymore with my technical mambo-jumbos as you have a problem to fix. 

Before you jump to apply the solutions, I suggest you take things slowly as a wrong step could overcomplicate your issues. 

So, without any further adieu, let’s get your Microsoft error code 6009 fixed.

Here are the methods to fix the Microsoft error code 6009: 

1. Restart Microsoft OneDrive

Sometimes, if the root of your problem is mere glitches, only restarting the app will fix your issue and solve the Microsoft error code 6009. But you have to stop OneDrive’s background procesess completely. 

First, exit from the OneDrive app and then try to delete the files. Follow these steps to exit from the OneDrive app: 

  • Click the up arrow icon on the Taskbar to open the tray icons.
  • Right-click on the OneDrive icon.
  • Click on the Close One Drive option.
  • Delete the files you need and check if the error is fixed.

If the previous process fails, then end the OneDrive’s processes from the Task Manager. Follow the steps below to end OneDrive’s processes using the Task Manager:

one-drive-endtask

  • Right-click on the Windows Taskbar
  • Click on Task Manager
  • Find the primary process of OneDrive and click on it. 
  • Click on the End task option on the bottom right corner. 
  • Wait for 10-15 minutes and rerun the app.

Now find the files you want to delete again and complete the operation.

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2. Kill Microsoft Office’s Background Processes

Some glitches can force Microsoft office to keep the files opened in the background, making the OneDrive app unable to delete them. Killing the Microsoft Office processes running in the background can solve Microsoft error code 6009, giving you the ability to delete files.

ms-office-endtask

Follow the steps below to kill Microsoft Office’s background processes: 

  • Right-click on the Windows Taskbar
  • Click on Task Manager
  • Find the primary process of Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, and Excel) and click on it. 
  • Click on the End task option on the bottom right corner. 

Now, try to delete the files again and see if the error code still occurs.

3. Reset OneDrive App

If the upper method doesn’t solve your issue, you’ll need to reset the OneDrive app and delete the files again. It also clears the junk cache files from previous sessions. Resetting the app has helped me many times before; I’m sure it’ll work for you too.

run-one-drive-reset

Follow these steps to reset OneDrive: 

  • Press Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type %localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /reset and hit Enter.
  • Reboot your device. 

Now delete the files you desire and see if the error code still appears.

4. Use a Stable Internet Connection 

Use a stable internet connection to edit and store your files inside the OnDrive app.

Editing files on a cloud app like OneDrive requires syncing real-time activities within the files to the cloud. So, contact your ISP or network admin and ask for their help to resolve issues regarding your internet connection.

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They’ll help you fix your internet speed along with its stability, and then you’ll be able to edit and delete your files without facing issues like Microsoft error code 6009.

5. Delete Files Inside Windows Safemode

So, if none of the above methods works in your case, you have to take things to the next level. You need to boot Windows into safe mode and delete the files if you want to do this badly. 

Follow the steps below to boot into safe mode and delete the files: 

  • Press Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type msconfig and hit Enter.
  • Go to the Boot tab.
  • Put a check on Safe Boot under Boot Options
  • Click Apply, then Ok to save changes.
  • Click Restart when the System Configuration Prompt pops up. 
  • Open the folder and delete the files after the restart. 
  • Open System Configuration again and uncheck the Safe Boot box to exit safe mode. 
  • Click Apply to boot into normal mode.

Now your Microsoft error code 6009 issue is solved.

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6. Update OneDrive App

Also, update the OneDrive app to avoid any further distractions and issues from the app.

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Follow these steps to update the app: 

  • Click the OneDrive icon in the notification area in the lower right corner of the screen. 
  • Click the up arrow icon on the Taskbar to open the tray icons.
  • Go to Settings and find the current version number.
  • Click the About at the top of the window. 
  • Click the version number link.
  • Click the version number to go to the OneDrive’s webpage.
  • Click Download OneDrive for Windows if there’s a latest version of the app. 
  • Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the updated version of the app. 

Now your OneDrive is updated to the latest version, which will solve the Microsoft error code 6009.

FAQ

What does error 6009 mean?

If you face a message like OneDrive cannot remove file – error code 6009 while trying to delete a file from your OneDrive folder, then you’re trying to delete a file that someone at that moment is editing. Sometimes OneDrive displays this error code because of an issue with syncing the file to the cloud.

How do I fix OneDrive error code 6009?

Resetting the OneDrive app and ending the background processes of Microsoft Office helps to fix the Microsoft error code 6009. Also, waiting for 10-15 minutes before attempting to delete those files can help you fix the syncing glitches and delete the files without any issue.

Conclusion

Before wrapping things up, I hope you understood all the complications and issues behind the Microsoft error code 6009 by reading the above sections. 

Now, if you’re feeling confident about taking things in your hand, then approach ahead to apply the solutions yourself.

Also, don’t forget to comment below if you’re facing any troubles applying the solutions or have any queries regarding Microsoft error code 6009. Our experts will try to answer any of your queries right away.

About The Author
Farhan Max is a tech geek with a particular interest in computer hardware. He's been fascinated by gaming since childhood and is now completing his undergraduate studies while researching and testing the latest tech innovations. Alongside his love for all things geeky, Farhan is also a skilled photographer.

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