OneDrive for Business sync issues
Summary
This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: OneDrive for Business sync issues. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.
Quick Tip: Need immediate assistance? 💻 Open a Ticket
Common Causes
Overview
OneDrive sync issues can prevent your files from being available offline and cause collaboration problems. Follow these steps to get OneDrive syncing again. For additional guidance see OneDrive not syncing.
Quick Fixes (Try These First)
1. Check OneDrive status
Look at the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar:
- Blue cloud: Syncing in progress
- Green checkmark: All files synced
- Red X: Sync error – click for details
- White cloud with arrow: Files pending upload
2. Restart OneDrive
- Right‑click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar and select Quit OneDrive.
- Search for “OneDrive” in the Start menu.
- Open OneDrive to restart it.
3. Check Internet connection
- Ensure you are connected to the internet.
- Open a web page in your browser to verify connectivity.
Detailed Troubleshooting
Before proceeding, verify that you are running the latest OneDrive client and that Windows updates are current. See How to update Windows for instructions.
Fix 1: Unlink and re‑link OneDrive
- Right‑click the OneDrive icon → Settings.
- Open the Account tab.
- Click Unlink this PC.
- Sign back in with your Microsoft 365 credentials.
- Wait for files to re‑sync.
Fix 2: Clear OneDrive cache
- Close OneDrive completely.
- Press
Win + Rto open the Run dialog. - Enter the following command and press Enter:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset - If OneDrive does not restart automatically, launch it from the Start menu.
Fix 3: Check “Choose folders” (Selective Sync) settings
- Right‑click OneDrive → Settings.
- Go to the Account tab and select Choose folders.
- Ensure the folders you need are ticked.
- Click OK.
Fix 4: Run the OneDrive troubleshooter (Windows)
- Download the tool from OneDrive Troubleshooter.
- Run the diagnostic and follow the on‑screen instructions.
Common sync blockers to check:
- File path length longer than 400 characters.
- File names containing unsupported characters (e.g., * ? " < > |).
- Files larger than 250 GB.
- Insufficient OneDrive storage quota – free space via the OneDrive web portal.
Common Error Solutions
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
| “Sync pending” for an extended period | Check file names for special characters and ensure path length is within limits. |
| “File in use” | Close the file in any other programmes before syncing. |
| “Storage limit reached” | Free up OneDrive storage or contact IT for additional quota. |
| “Can’t sync personal vault” | Re‑authenticate your account or see OneDrive file missing for related issues. |
Still Not Working?
If the issue persists, please Open a Ticket and include:
- A screenshot of the OneDrive icon status.
- Any error messages displayed.
- A brief description of what you were doing when the issue started.
Still Having Issues?
Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.
💻 Open a Ticket
💻 Open a Ticket