How to Fix Red X on Files/Folders in Windows?

A red X (red cross) overlay on a Desktop icon or in File Explorer usually means Windows can’t reach the item right now (broken shortcut target, cloud sync error/offline status, or a disconnected network path).

In most cases, the red X appears because:

• Shortcut target is broken (the app/file was moved, renamed, or deleted).
• Cloud-synced files are offline or sync is failing (commonly OneDrive).
• Network drive/path is disconnected (mapped drive, NAS, office server, or VPN required).
• Overlay/icon status is stale after a crash/update (less common, but possible).

Before you start: confirm what type of item has the red X:

• If it’s a Desktop icon shortcut: right-click it > Properties. If you see a Shortcut tab, it’s a shortcut.
• If it’s a real file/folder: check whether it sits under OneDrive or a network location, then confirm you’re online and signed in.

1. Fix the Shortcut Target (or Recreate the Shortcut)

If the red X is on a shortcut, Windows is usually pointing to a target that no longer exists (or a location you’re not connected to). Update the target, or recreate the shortcut so it points to the correct path.

1. Right-click the affected shortcut and select Properties.
   
2. Open the Shortcut tab.
3. Check the Target field. This is the path Windows is trying to open.
   
4. Click Open File Location. If Windows can’t open the target (or opens the wrong place), the target path may be invalid or unreachable.
5. If you can find the correct app/file/folder manually, copy its new path from File Explorer’s address bar.
   
6. Go back to Properties and paste the correct path into the Target field, then click Apply.
7. If the shortcut still behaves oddly, delete it and create a new shortcut:
   Right-click the correct file/app > Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).

2. Fix OneDrive Sync (Confirm It’s OneDrive First)

If the red X is coming from OneDrive, it usually means the file is stuck syncing, offline, you’re signed out, or your OneDrive storage is full.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. In the left pane, click the OneDrive folder.
   
3. Find the item with the red X and check whether it is actually inside OneDrive.
   • If it’s inside OneDrive: continue with the steps below.
   • If it’s not inside OneDrive: don’t move it unless you want it synced. A red X outside OneDrive usually points to a shortcut or network path issue.
4. Resume sync: click the OneDrive tray icon > Resume syncing (if paused).
5. Sign in: if OneDrive says “not signed in,” sign in again and wait a few minutes for status to update.
6. Fix storage: if storage is full, free space (delete large files, empty recycle bin, or stop syncing a folder), then allow OneDrive to finish syncing.
7. Restart OneDrive: right-click the OneDrive tray icon > Quit OneDrive, then reopen OneDrive from Start.
8. If a single file is stuck, right-click it and try:
   • Always keep on this device (forces download), or
   • Free up space (then reopen it to trigger re-download).

Note: If your Desktop is being backed up by OneDrive, a red X can appear on Desktop items even though they look “local.” In that case, fixing OneDrive sign-in/sync usually clears it.

3. Rebuild the Icon Cache (If the Red X Looks “Stuck”)

If you’ve fixed OneDrive/network/shortcut issues but the red X overlay still appears, the icon/overlay cache may be stale. Rebuilding it forces Explorer to regenerate icon data. This does not delete your personal files.

1. Open Start, search CMD, then choose Run as administrator.
   
2. Run these commands one by one:

   taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
   DEL /A /F /Q "%localappdata%\IconCache.db"
   DEL /A /F /Q "%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\iconcache*"

3. Restart your PC. (Your desktop may briefly disappear after Explorer is killed, this is normal.)
4. If Explorer does not come back before restart, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc > File > Run new task > type explorer.exe > OK.