Home Knowledgebase KB-034

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.

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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:

2. Restart OneDrive

  1. Right‑click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar and select Quit OneDrive.
  2. Search for “OneDrive” in the Start menu.
  3. Open OneDrive to restart it.

3. Check Internet connection


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

  1. Right‑click the OneDrive icon → Settings.
  2. Open the Account tab.
  3. Click Unlink this PC.
  4. Sign back in with your Microsoft 365 credentials.
  5. Wait for files to re‑sync.

Fix 2: Clear OneDrive cache

  1. Close OneDrive completely.
  2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  3. Enter the following command and press Enter:
    %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset
  4. If OneDrive does not restart automatically, launch it from the Start menu.

Fix 3: Check “Choose folders” (Selective Sync) settings

  1. Right‑click OneDrive → Settings.
  2. Go to the Account tab and select Choose folders.
  3. Ensure the folders you need are ticked.
  4. Click OK.

Fix 4: Run the OneDrive troubleshooter (Windows)

  1. Download the tool from OneDrive Troubleshooter.
  2. 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:

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