Usually, you will encounter “Your device is offline, try another connection method” message right after your computer starts. Most of the time, re-entering your password is enough to fix the problem, but if it doesn’t, a bigger problem is causing this problem.
Windows can display this error due to incorrect credentials, connectivity issues, faulty Microsoft servers, or even account suspension. However, you can fix the error by following the instructions below.
1. Check your credentials
Before we take a closer look at how you can fix the problem, make sure you’re entering the correct credentials. Maybe you are entering an old password out of habit, which is why Windows is showing the error.
If you are sure of your credentials and Windows still tells you that the device is offline, you should reset your password.
Also, Microsoft may have blocked your account if you violated the Services Agreement. In this case, you must contact Microsoft technical support to recover your account.
2. Check Microsoft Server Status
There may be nothing wrong on your end, but Microsoft is fixing or doing maintenance on its servers. You can check on the Microsoft website if the servers are up and running or if there is a problem that needs to be fixed.
Also you could follow his Twitter account and activate notifications to know in real time if there is a problem with Microsoft servers.
3. Reset your network settings
Windows can tell you that the device is online if it cannot connect to the Internet. If you are able to connect to the internet from another device, your problem may be caused by incorrect network settings. In this case, you need to reset your network to its default settings.
4. Update network drivers
The problem may be caused by an outdated or corrupted network driver. To resolve this issue, launch Device Manager and update your network drivers. If you are already using the latest version, try restarting the adapter.
5. Use a local account
Switching to a local account may be enough to temporarily fix the problem. You can still access Microsoft files, apps, and services. Also, you can assign administrative rights to your local account if you continue to encounter the device offline error.
6. Edit Windows Registry
If you still encounter the same error, you should take a look at the Windows Registry, as a faulty subkey could be the culprit. Before modifying the registry, create a restore point in case something goes wrong.
- Press Win + R to bring up a Run dialog box.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- In the Registry window, navigate to Computer > HKEY_USERS > DEFAULT > Software > Microsoft > IdentityCRL > StoredIdentities.
- Delete the problematic subkey below Stored identities.
- Restart your computer.
7. Start your computer in safe mode
It’s possible that a third-party app is causing your problems. If you have many applications installed, it can be difficult to know which ones can modify your system settings. In this case, it is easier to start your computer in safe mode because Windows will start with a basic set of drivers and files.
If Windows keeps showing “Your device is offline” error, you should manually inspect the list of installed apps and remove the one that may be causing the problem.
Get back online on Windows
Hope one or more of the above fixes helped you to fix “Your device is offline” error. If you don’t want to encounter the same problem again, you can continue to use a local account. But you should know that you cannot access cloud storage or sync your settings across your devices with a local account. And these are just a few differences between a local account and a Microsoft account.
