What to do if…
your cloud documents are read-only because your storage quota is full

What to do now

1. Secure the work you cannot lose today.

   • Download or export the specific documents you need, such as DOCX, PDF, spreadsheet, or plain text copies.
   • Save them to your device.
   • If possible, save a second copy somewhere separate, such as an external drive, USB stick, or another account you control.

2. Check whether this is really a quota problem.

   • Open the storage or usage page for the account that owns the files.
   • Check that you are in the right account, especially if you have both personal and work or school accounts.
   • If only some documents are read-only, check whether the owner or administrator changed your edit access.

3. Use the provider’s storage breakdown before deleting anything.

   • Look for the largest files, backups, photos, videos, or emails using the most space.
   • Delete only one or two items you are confident you do not need.
   • If you are unsure, download a copy first, then delete the cloud copy.

4. Free space where it actually counts.

   • Empty only the relevant bin, trash, spam, or recently deleted area after copying anything you may need.
   • Check whether the same quota is shared across drive storage, email, photos, backups, or app data.
   • If the biggest usage is email or photos rather than documents, clear space there instead of deleting document folders.

5. Use the web interface if apps are failing.

   • Try the provider’s website from a browser, because it may show clearer storage information than a phone or desktop sync app.
   • Avoid making the same change in several places at once.
   • Refresh the storage page after deleting, but allow for the provider’s update delay.

6. Consider a short-term upgrade only if you need fast access.

   • A temporary storage upgrade may restore editing or syncing, but it may not show immediately.
   • Keep screenshots of the plan, price, renewal date, and any confirmation email.
   • After access returns, finish the urgent work before doing a wider cleanup.

7. Pause syncing while you stabilise the account.

   • Pause sync on devices showing errors until the account is back under quota.
   • If you must keep working, work in the downloaded copy only.
   • When syncing is normal again, compare file names and modified times before replacing any cloud version.

8. Keep a simple record for support.

   • Screenshot the quota exceeded or read-only message.
   • Screenshot the storage breakdown and any plan, renewal, payment, or failed billing notice.
   • Write down when you first saw the issue and what changed recently, such as a new backup, photo upload, shared folder, expired plan, or work account policy change.

9. Use the right support route.

   • For a work or school account, contact your IT team or administrator; they may control quotas, retention settings, shared folders, and recycle bins.
   • For a personal paid plan, contact the provider’s official billing or support route and share your screenshots and timeline.
   • If the problem involves misuse, insecurity, or mishandling of your personal data, complain to the organisation first; if you are unhappy with the response or they do not respond, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.