How to Identify and Resolve OneDrive Sync Errors
If your onedrive is not syncing your files, you are not alone. You might see this in onedrive for work or school, too. Start by checking these common issues:
Too many files in onedrive (over 300,000) slow or stop sync.
Long file paths or strange characters in file names block uploads.
A weak internet connection makes onedrive for work or school fail to sync.
Shared folders in onedrive for work or school may not sync due to a known bug.
Outdated software or wrong account settings interrupt sync.
Before you try to Troubleshoot Sync Issues, always back up your important files. Most onedrive sync problems have simple fixes if you follow the right steps.
Key Takeaways
Look at the OneDrive icon and error messages to find sync problems fast before you fix them.
Restart or reset the OneDrive app to fix small problems and bigger sync errors safely.
Pause and start syncing again or unlink and relink your account to refresh connections and fix tough problems.
Keep OneDrive and Windows updated, have a strong internet connection, and make sure you have enough storage space for smooth syncing.
Do not use unsupported file names, long paths, or open files while syncing to stop common file errors.
Check Sync Status
Before you dive into fixing sync problems, you should always check the current status of your OneDrive. This step helps you spot issues early and saves you time.
OneDrive Taskbar Icons
Take a look at the OneDrive icon in your taskbar. This small icon tells you a lot about what’s happening with your files. You might see a cloud symbol, arrows, or even a green check mark. Each one means something different. For example, arrows show that sync is in progress, while a green check mark means your files are up to date. If you see a blue circle with an 'i', OneDrive wants your attention. A cloud with an exclamation mark means there’s a sync error notification. Sometimes, the icon may not update right away. Restarting your computer or the explorer.exe process can help refresh it. These icons work the same way in onedrive for work or school, so you can use them to spot issues there too.
Error Messages
When OneDrive runs into trouble, it usually tells you with an error message. Some common messages include “This file can’t be synced,” which means you need to fix something with that file. If you see “Can’t open file,” OneDrive might not be running right. Another message, “You do not have access permissions to the item,” means you need to check your file’s security settings. You might also notice different icons:
Red circle with a white cross: File or folder can’t be synced.
Gray cloud with a line: Not signed in or setup not finished.
Paused icon: Syncing is paused.
Circular arrows: Sync is happening now.
Red icon with a white bar: Account is blocked.
Yellow exclamation mark: Account needs your attention.
Recent Activity
You can also check recent activity to find out what’s going on. OneDrive keeps logs that show which files you or others have viewed, edited, or synced. These logs help you see if a device, app, or even someone else changed your files. If you use onedrive for work or school, your admin can check activity reports in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. These reports help you spot sync problems caused by device conflicts, malware, or even account issues. If you notice something strange, you can pause and resume sync or reset the app to fix the problem.
Troubleshoot Sync Issues
When you run into problems with OneDrive, you can troubleshoot sync issues using a few simple methods. These steps work for both personal accounts and OneDrive for work or school. Let’s walk through each method together.
Restart OneDrive App
Restarting the OneDrive app is often the quickest way to fix minor sync problems. You don’t need to worry about losing your files with a simple restart. Here’s how you can do it on Windows:
Find the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar.
Right-click the icon and select "Close OneDrive" or "Exit."
Open the Start menu and search for "OneDrive."
Click the app to open it again.
If you use a Mac, click the OneDrive icon, go to "Preferences," then choose "Quit OneDrive." Open the app again from your Applications folder.
Tip: Restarting the app does not delete your files or settings. It just refreshes the connection and can clear up small glitches.
If restarting doesn’t help, you might need to reset OneDrive. Resetting is a stronger step and can fix deeper sync issues, but it comes with risks. Before you reset, make sure all your files are backed up. Unsynced files stored only on your device could be lost if you reset without syncing them first.
Press
Win + Rto open the Run dialog.Type
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /resetand press Enter.Wait about 30 seconds. If OneDrive doesn’t restart, open it from the Start menu.
On a Mac:
Click the OneDrive icon, go to "Preferences," and choose "Quit OneDrive."
Open Applications, right-click OneDrive, and select "Show Package Contents."
Go to Contents > Resources and double-click
ResetOneDriveApp.command.Start OneDrive again.
Warning: Resetting OneDrive removes your account and settings from the app. If you have files that haven’t synced to the cloud, back them up first to avoid losing important data.
Pause and Resume Sync
Sometimes, you just need to pause and resume sync to get things moving again. This method acts like a quick refresh for the sync process. Here’s how you do it:
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar.
Select "Pause syncing" and choose a time (2, 8, or 24 hours).
Wait a few seconds, then click the icon again and select "Resume syncing."
This trick works for both personal and OneDrive for work or school accounts. Pausing and resuming can help with minor or timing-related issues. It’s not a fix for bigger problems, but it’s a good first step when you troubleshoot sync issues.
Note: If your sync problems come from network issues or other apps, pausing and resuming might not solve them. Try other troubleshooting steps if this doesn’t work.
Use OneDrive Repair
OneDrive has built-in repair tools that can help you troubleshoot onedrive when basic steps don’t work. On Windows, you can use the "Repair" option in the app settings. Here’s what you do:
Right-click the OneDrive icon and select "Settings."
Go to the "Account" tab.
Click "Unlink this PC" (don’t worry, your files in the cloud stay safe).
Sign in again to reconnect your account.
This process refreshes your connection and can clear up sync errors. If you use OneDrive for work or school, your IT admin might have extra tools or permissions to help repair your account.
Tip: Always check that your files are fully synced before you unlink or repair your account. Look for the green check marks on your files.
If you want more help, Microsoft’s official support page has step-by-step guides and troubleshooting tools for OneDrive. These resources are reliable and up to date.
Unlink and Relink Account
If you still have problems, you might need to unlink and relink your OneDrive account. This step can fix stubborn sync errors, especially if you use multiple accounts or have changed your password.
Follow these steps to safely unlink and relink your account:
Click the OneDrive icon and open "Settings."
Go to the "Account" tab and select "Unlink this PC" (or Mac).
Before you continue, make sure all your files are synced. Check for green check marks or copy your files to a backup folder.
After unlinking, sign in again with your account.
When asked about the existing OneDrive folder, choose "Use this folder" to keep your files.
Let OneDrive resync your files. You can pick which folders to sync to your device.
Warning: If you don’t back up your files before unlinking, you could lose unsynced data. Always double-check that your files are safe before making big changes.
Some common mistakes that cause persistent sync errors include using multiple cloud storage apps at once, syncing two OneDrive accounts to the same folder, or keeping old cache files. If you run into these problems, unlinking and relinking your account can help you start fresh.
If you need more help, check out Microsoft’s official OneDrive support page. They have detailed troubleshooting steps and extra tools for advanced issues.
Fix OneDrive Sync Problem
If you have a onedrive sync problem, you might get upset. But you can fix it. There are some easy steps you can try. Let’s look at the most important ones.
Update OneDrive and Windows
You should always update your OneDrive app and Windows. Updates add new features and fix bugs. They help your files sync better. If you use onedrive for work or school, your IT team may do updates. But you should still check for them.
Here is how to update OneDrive and Windows:
Open the OneDrive app. Check for update messages.
Go to the Microsoft Store or OneDrive website. Download the newest version.
For Windows, open Settings. Go to Update & Security. Click “Check for updates.”
Restart your computer after updates finish.
Tip: Updates can fix hidden problems that cause sync errors. If you have not updated in a while, this step might fix your onedrive sync problem fast.
Check Internet and Account
You need a strong internet connection and correct account settings. These are important for syncing files. If you use onedrive for work or school, slow internet or account issues can cause more errors.
Try these steps to check your internet and account:
Look at the OneDrive icon in your system tray. If you see a warning, something is wrong.
Visit the OneDrive service status page. This page shows if there are outages.
Test your internet by opening websites. If they are slow, restart your router.
Make sure you have the latest OneDrive and Windows. Old software can cause problems.
Check your computer’s disk space and your OneDrive storage. Not enough space can stop syncing.
Look at your OneDrive sync settings. Make sure you picked the right folders. Turn on Files On-Demand if you need it.
If nothing works, try the OneDrive reset option as a last step.
If you use onedrive for work or school, your account may have special settings. Ask your IT admin for help if you see errors or cannot sign in.
Verify Storage Space
Not enough storage space can cause a onedrive sync problem. You need space on your computer and in your OneDrive cloud. Even small files may not sync if your disk is almost full.
Here is what users found:
Try to keep at least 10 GB of free space on your computer. If you use onedrive for work or school, check your cloud storage too. Delete old files or move them if you need more space.
📝 Note: If you run out of space, OneDrive will stop syncing new files. Free up space and restart the app to fix the onedrive sync problem.
By following these steps, you can fix the onedrive sync problem and keep your files safe. If you still have trouble, the next part will show more advanced solutions.
File and Folder Issues
When you use onedrive or onedrive for work or school, you might run into problems with certain files or folders. These issues can stop your files from syncing. Let’s look at the most common problems and how you can fix them.
Unsupported Files
Some files just won’t sync with onedrive or onedrive for work or school. You might see error codes like 0x80c80205 or 0x8007007b. These usually mean your file name has unsupported characters or the file type is not allowed. Here are some things that can cause trouble:
File names longer than 400 characters
Folders with names like .lock, CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, COM0–COM9, LPT0–LPT9, vti, desktop.ini, or names starting with ~$
Files encrypted with NTFS EFS
Some executable files, depending on your settings
Tip: If you see a sync error, try renaming the file or folder. Remove any strange characters or use a shorter name. Uploading the file through the onedrive web client can also help.
Naming problems happen a lot. Even if you restart or reinstall onedrive, these errors can stick around because the app remembers the bad file names. You may need to unlink your account or clear your cache if the problem keeps coming back.
File Size and Path Limits
You might not know that onedrive and onedrive for work or school have limits on file size and path length. If you go over these limits, your files won’t sync. Here’s a quick look:
If you try to sync a huge library or very long file paths, you might see slow performance or errors. Try to keep your folder names short and avoid deep folder structures.
Files in Use
Sometimes, onedrive or onedrive for work or school can’t sync a file because it’s open in another program. If you have a Word document open, onedrive can’t upload the changes until you close the file. This also happens if someone else edits the same file at the same time. You might see a sync conflict or even lose changes.
To fix this, close any files you’re working on before you let onedrive sync. If you see a conflict, check both copies and keep the one you want.
📝 Note: If you edit files offline and then reconnect, you might get duplicate files or conflicts. Always check your files after syncing.
By watching out for these file and folder issues, you can keep your onedrive and onedrive for work or school running smoothly.
Advanced Solutions for Sync Problems with OneDrive
If you still have sync problems with onedrive after trying easy fixes, you may need to try harder steps. These advanced steps can help you fix tough problems, especially if you use onedrive for work or school. Here are some things you can do.
Antivirus and Firewall Settings
Sometimes, antivirus or firewall programs stop onedrive from syncing. This happens a lot with programs like Avast, AVG, Norton, or McAfee. Here is how you can fix this:
Remove any third-party antivirus software. Use the company’s cleanup tool to get rid of leftover files.
Restart your computer. Windows Defender will turn on. It works well with onedrive and causes fewer problems.
Open Windows Defender and Firewall settings. Check that nothing blocks onedrive.
Turn off the firewall for a short time to see if syncing works. If it does, add onedrive to the allowed list in the firewall.
Turn off VPNs and proxy settings. These can block onedrive for work or school.
Make sure TLS protocols are turned on in Internet Properties for safe syncing.
🛡️ Tip: Security programs sometimes think onedrive is a threat. If you use onedrive for work or school, ask your IT team to check network rules.
Use Microsoft SaRa Tool
The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRa) tool can help find and fix many sync problems. Here is how you use it:
Download SaRa from Microsoft’s website.
Install and open the tool. Agree to the terms.
Pick onedrive as the app and choose your sync problem.
Follow the steps SaRa gives you. It checks for things like expired passwords, network problems, or account issues.
If SaRa cannot fix the problem, it helps you contact Microsoft support.
SaRa works well for onedrive for work or school. It shows you each step, so you do not have to guess.
Reset OneDrive App
If the sync problem does not go away, you may need to reset the onedrive app. Resetting signs you out and refreshes the app, but it does not remove onedrive from Windows. Here is what you do:
On Windows, run the reset command. Wait for the alert that says onedrive is resetting. Open the app again and sign in.
On Android or iPhone, delete the app, restart your device, and reinstall onedrive. Sign in and set up your account.
⚠️ Warning: Always back up your files before you reset. If you sign in with a different email, you might lose access to your onedrive for work or school files.
Backup and Restore Data
Before you try advanced fixes, make sure your files are safe. Here are some ways to back up and restore your files:
🔄 Note: Test your backups often. Keep copies in another place to protect against ransomware or disasters. If you use onedrive for work or school, ask your IT team about backup rules.
If you still have sync problems after these steps, you should contact Microsoft support. They can help with hard problems that need expert help.
You can fix most sync problems with onedrive or onedrive for work or school by following a few key steps:
Clear cached files and resync if needed.
Confirm your account details and repair or reinstall onedrive.
Reset settings only as a last resort.
Before you make big changes, always back up your files. If onedrive for work or school keeps having issues, reach out to Microsoft support. Keep your apps updated and check sync status often. This helps you avoid future problems and keeps your files safe.
FAQ
Why does OneDrive say my files are up to date, but I can’t see them on another device?
You might have a slow internet connection or paused sync. Try restarting OneDrive and check your internet. Make sure you use the same account on both devices.
Can I recover files that OneDrive failed to sync?
Yes! Go to the OneDrive website. Check the Recycle Bin for missing files. If you backed up your files, restore them from your backup.
What should I do if OneDrive keeps asking me to sign in?
This usually means your session expired or your password changed. Sign in again. If you keep getting this message, reset your password and update OneDrive.
How do I stop OneDrive from syncing certain folders?
You can choose which folders to sync. Click the OneDrive icon, go to Settings, then select "Choose folders." Uncheck the folders you don’t want to sync.
Does uninstalling OneDrive delete my files?
No, uninstalling OneDrive removes the app from your computer. Your files stay safe in the cloud. You can always reinstall OneDrive and sign in to get your files back.