How to Fix Error 0x80071128 in Windows 11 26H2

Are you seeing Error 0x80071128 when trying to open, move, rename, delete, or access a file or folder in Windows 11? This error is commonly associated with a damaged or problematic reparse point, a special type of file-system metadata that Windows uses for features such as OneDrive, junctions, symbolic links, and other file-system functionality.

When a reparse point becomes corrupted or Windows can no longer correctly process it, you may receive an error message similar to:

Error 0x80071128: The data present in the reparse point buffer is invalid.

The problem can often be fixed without reinstalling Windows. Below are several troubleshooting methods to try in Windows 11 26H2, starting with the least invasive options.

What Causes Error 0x80071128?

Windows uses reparse points to store additional information associated with files and folders. They are used by several Windows features and applications, including cloud-storage services such as OneDrive.

Error 0x80071128 generally indicates that Windows encountered invalid or corrupted information in a reparse point.

Common causes include:

• Corrupted file-system metadata
• Problems with a OneDrive-synchronized folder
• File-system errors on the storage drive
• Interrupted synchronization
• Damaged Windows system files
• Broken junctions or other reparse-point data

Before making significant changes to your file system, it’s a good idea to back up important files.

1. Run CHKDSK

The built-in CHKDSK utility can detect and repair file-system errors that may be contributing to the problem.

Open Start and type Terminal or Command Prompt.

Right-click the result and select Run as administrator.

Run:

chkdsk C: /f

Replace C: with the drive containing the problematic file or folder if it is located on another drive.

If Windows reports that the drive is currently in use and asks whether you want to schedule the scan for the next restart, type:

Y

Restart your computer and allow CHKDSK to complete.

Should you use /r?

You may also encounter the command:

chkdsk C: /r

The /r parameter performs a more extensive scan that looks for bad sectors and attempts to recover readable information. However, it can take considerably longer than /f.

For a typical 0x80071128 problem, start with /f. Consider /r when you also suspect physical disk problems or bad sectors.

2. Run System File Checker

If Windows system files are damaged, System File Checker (SFC) can repair them.

1. Open Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run:

sfc /scannow

3. Wait until the scan reaches 100%.
4. Restart your computer if Windows reports that it repaired corrupted files.

Try accessing the problematic file or folder again after restarting.

3. Run DISM

If SFC cannot repair the files, use Microsoft’s Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

Open an elevated Terminal or Command Prompt and run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Allow the operation to finish. Depending on the condition of the Windows component store and your system, this may take some time.

After DISM finishes, run SFC again:

sfc /scannow

Then restart Windows and check whether error 0x80071128 has disappeared.

4. Reset OneDrive

If the affected file or folder is inside your OneDrive directory, OneDrive synchronization may be involved.

Resetting OneDrive rebuilds parts of its local configuration and can resolve synchronization-related problems without deleting your files stored in the cloud.

Reset OneDrive from Run

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset

3. Press Enter.
4. Wait a few moments.

If OneDrive doesn’t restart automatically, open Start, search for OneDrive, and launch it manually.

If the reset command doesn’t work

Try:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe

If OneDrive is installed in a different location on your PC, you may need to launch it from its installed location instead.

Important: Resetting OneDrive does not mean deleting your OneDrive account or cloud files. However, avoid manually deleting OneDrive folders while troubleshooting unless you know exactly which files are local-only and which are synchronized.

5. Check Whether the Problem Is Limited to OneDrive

If the error occurs only with files inside OneDrive, test a normal local folder.

For example, create a new folder on your Desktop and copy a small test file into it.

If the local file works normally but the OneDrive file produces 0x80071128, this points more strongly toward a OneDrive synchronization or reparse-point issue rather than a general Windows file-system problem.

You can also pause OneDrive synchronization temporarily and check whether the behavior changes.

6. Check the Drive for File-System Problems

If the problem occurs with many files and folders—not just OneDrive content—the storage drive itself may need attention.

Open Windows Terminal as administrator and run:

chkdsk C: /scan

Unlike a repair scan, /scan performs an online scan of the NTFS file system and can help determine whether Windows detects file-system problems.

If errors are found, you can then use:

chkdsk C: /f

Windows may require a restart before it can repair the system drive.

7. Avoid Random Reparse-Point Removal Tools

You may find third-party utilities claiming to repair or remove broken reparse points.

Be careful with these programs.

A reparse point isn’t necessarily something that should simply be deleted. Removing one incorrectly can interfere with OneDrive, junctions, symbolic links, or applications that rely on it.

Before using a third-party utility:

• Back up important files.
• Download software only from a trustworthy source.
• Scan downloaded files with Windows Security.
• Avoid utilities that ask for unnecessary administrator permissions.
• Don’t delete reparse points unless you understand what they belong to.

8. Back Up Important Files Before Making Advanced Changes

If the problematic folder contains important documents, photos, or other irreplaceable files, create a backup before attempting advanced file-system repairs.

This is especially important when:

• CHKDSK reports disk errors.
• The drive is making unusual noises.
• Files are becoming inaccessible.
• Multiple folders are showing similar errors.
• The problem started after an unexpected shutdown or system crash.

If the drive appears to be failing physically, prioritize recovering your important data rather than repeatedly running repair utilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Windows Error 0x80071128 mean?

Error 0x80071128 means Windows encountered invalid data in a reparse-point buffer. Reparse points are used by Windows and applications for several file-system features, including certain cloud-storage and file-linking functions.

Can CHKDSK fix error 0x80071128?

CHKDSK can fix underlying file-system problems that may cause the error. Start with chkdsk C: /f and use the /r option only when a deeper disk scan is appropriate.

Can OneDrive cause error 0x80071128?

Yes. If the error appears specifically when accessing files inside a OneDrive-synchronized folder, OneDrive synchronization or a problematic reparse point may be involved. Resetting OneDrive is therefore worth trying.

Will resetting OneDrive delete my files?

Resetting the OneDrive application is not the same as deleting your OneDrive account or cloud data. However, you should still avoid deleting local OneDrive files manually during troubleshooting unless you understand their synchronization status.

Conclusion

Windows 11 error 0x80071128 usually indicates a problem involving a file-system reparse point. The most appropriate fix depends on where the error occurs.

Start by checking the affected location and, if necessary, run CHKDSK to look for file-system errors. Follow that with SFC and DISM if Windows system-file corruption is suspected. If the affected files are stored in OneDrive, resetting OneDrive can also resolve synchronization-related problems.

If the error continues across multiple folders or is accompanied by other disk-related problems, back up your important data and investigate the health of the storage drive before attempting more aggressive repairs.