Why Is OneDrive Not Syncing on Windows PC? Answers and Fixes Are Here!

Don't worry if you find that OneDrive is not syncing files. On this page, you'll learn the causes and specific solutions to get rid of the OneDrive not syncing error on Windows devices without losing any files. Check the state of onedrive on your computer and follow the right fixes to make OneDrive sync files again.

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Tracy King

Updated on Feb 26, 2024

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Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Move Files Out Click OneDrive icon and select "Help & Settings" > "Settings"...Full steps
Fix 2. Check Filenames and file types

File is larger than 20GB. The file name and its entire path are more than 400 characters...Full steps

Fix 3. Turn Off Necessary Components

Click OneDrive icon, select "Help & Settings" > "Settings".Go to the Office tab...Full steps

Fix 4. Reset OneDrive Press Windows + R keys, type this path in the Run dialog, and...Full steps

OneDrive, a professional cloud storage service provider, owns a huge number of users, including personal and business users, around the world.

OneDrive is not syncing error

While enjoying the convenient storage services provided by OneDrive, many users also come across many problems. One of the issues is OneDrive not syncing. If you are having the same issue, follow the respective guide and fix the OneDrive not syncing error on Windows computers now.

Causes - Why Is OneDrive Not Syncing

Accordingly, many reasons may block your OneDrive from syncing files between your device and the cloud. Here is a list of common causes that'll explain why is OneDrive not syncing your files:

  • OneDrive Sync Error 
  • OneDrive displaying with Red "X" sync error
  • OneDrive processing changes
  • OneDrive paused
  • OneDrive account nearly full
  • OneDrive account full, blocked, or frozen 
  • OneDrive not signed in

If the OneDrive syncing error that you are having is not included in the list, check the specific OneDrive sync error and get official help from Microsoft here. 

Let's get started to fix OneDrive syncing error on your own now.

How Do I Fix OneDrive Not Syncing on Windows 10/8/7 [8 Fixes Available]

In this part, you'll learn some tips that will make sure that OneDrive is running correctly so that you can access and sync files. Also, remember to try the quick fixes first.

Quick Fixes for OneDrive Not Syncing Detailed Steps
1. Check if You Can Access OneDrive Online
  • Check: Click OneDrive icon on PC > Help & Settings > Settings > View online.
  • If not, check the status of Microsoft Office OnlineServices at the Service Health portal
2. Update OneDrive to the Latest Version 
  • Download the latest version of OneDrive and install it. 
  • Press Windows + S to search for OneDrive, click to open the OneDrive desktop app.
  • Sign in with your Microsoft account email address and set up the account.
3. Upgrade OneDrive Account Storage
  • Buy more storage.
  • Download files to backup, and delete them from the OneDrive account. 
  • Reduce files to sync.
4. Unlink OneDrive & Run OneDrive Setup Again
  • Click OneDrive icon, select "Help & Settings > Settings".
  • Click "Unlink this PC".
  • Set up OneDrive with the steps in the Welcome to OneDrive wizard.

After trying the fixes above, if OneDrive works in syncing files again, stop here. If nothing worked, move to follow the tutorial guide below and let it help.

Fix 1. Move Files Out of the Sync Folder

Step 1. Click OneDrive icon and select "Help & Settings" > "Settings".

Open OneDrive settings

Step 2. Click "Pause syncing..." and select "2 hours".

Pause OneDrive sync

Step 3. Select a file from the sync folder and move it to another folder, such as C:\users\.

Step 4. Select "Help & Settings" > "Resume syncing...".

When the syncing process completes, move the file back to its original location again.

Fix 2. Check & Make Sure Filenames and file types are supported

Note that OneDrive won't work when the target file exceeds its constraints in file size and file names. So check if the files that you need to sync don't contain one of the following features:

  • File is larger than 20GB.
  • File name and its entire path are more than 400 characters.
  • File contains illegal or characters, like <, >, :, ", |, ?, *, /, \.

So how to fix this error? Here are the steps:

Step 1. Reduce the size of the file that you need to sync by zipping or compressing it.

Step 2. Shorten the file name or save the file in a subfolder that is closer to the top-level folder.

Step 3. Rename the file and remove illegal characters, set the file in a normal file extension.

Fix 3. Turn Off Necessary Components - Office Upload, Proxy Settings, Antivirus, and Firewall

#1. Turn Off Office Upload

Step 1. Click OneDrive icon, select "Help & Settings" > "Settings".

Step 2. Go to the Office tab, uncheck "Use Office applications to sync Office files that I open" or "Use Office 2016 to sync Office files that I open". 

Step 3. Click "OK" to confirm.

Turn off onedrive upload

#2. Turn Off Proxy Settings - Temporarily

In Microsoft Edge:

  • Click the Windows icon and select the Settings icon.
  • Click "Network & Internet" > "Proxy".
  • At the Automatic proxy setup section, slide "Automatically detect settings" and "Use setup script" to its opposite side: On to Off, or Off to On.
  • At the Manual proxy setup section, slide "Use a proxy server" to its opposite side: On to Off, or Off to On.

Turn off Proxy settings

In Internet Explorer 11/10/9/8/7:

In IE, click "Tools" > "Internet Options" > "Connections" > "LAN settings" > Uncheck or clear "Use a proxy server for your LAN" > "Apply" and "OK".

#3. Turn Off Antivirus or Firewall - Temporarily

Step 1. Click the Windows Start icon > "Settings" > "Update & Security".

Step 2. Select Update Security > Open Windows Defender Security Center.

Step 3. Select to disable or turn off "Virus & threat protection" and "Firewall & network protection". 

Turn off antivirus and firewall

Fix 4. Reset OneDrive

  • Press Windows + R keys, and type this path in the Run dialog, and hit Enter:

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

  • If you see the "Windows cannot find..." message, type this path in the Run dialog instead: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
  • If this doesn't work, you can reinstall or update Office to fix OneDrive not syncing error.

Start a live chat with an EaseUS Expert to tailor an enterprise backup solution specific to your requirements. We are here to assist you with the following as well:

  • Commence a free trial
  • Obtain a quotation
  • Arrange a free demonstration

Extended: OneDrive Sync vs OneDrive Backup, Which Is Better?

As you know that OneDrive is a cloud storage service that makes sharing and editing files anytime and anywhere. Besides file syncing, OneDrive also works as a terminal for local computer file backup. 

So what's the difference between OneDrive Sync and OneDrive Backup? Which is better? When to use file syncing and when to use file backup? Check the answers here.

Which Is Better OneDrive Sync OneDrive Backup
Pros
  • Sync files and folders immediately across different devices.
  • Free up local hard drive space.
  • Sharing files, work with colleagues anytime and anywhere.
  • Real-time collaboration with Office applications.
  • Free up local hard drive space
  • Back up all types of files to OneDrive, including Documents, Downloads, Desktop, everything on the computer, even include the OS.
  • File deletion on a local disk won't remove the backup.
  • File backup takes smaller space than file syncing with professional file backup software
  • More secure than file syncing.
Cons
  • File syncing takes huge space on OneDrive, the account gets full easily.
  • Deleting a file or folder inside the OneDrive folder on PC will also delete it online. 
  • OneDrive only sync files that were saved inside the OneDrive folder. OneDrive cannot sync Documents, Pictures, or Desktop folders. 
  • Slower than file syncing.

So which is better, and when to use OneDrive sync or OneDrive backup? According to the comparison, as shown above, you may have answers. And here is Editor's suggestions, hopefully, it will be helpful to you:

  • To quickly share files with your colleagues, friends, or families, OneDrive Sync is better.
  • To free up space on your local computer disk, back up all valuable files, use OneDrive backup.

So how to securely back up files to OneDrive? Check this out.

Bonus Tip: How Do I Backup Files to OneDrive Instead of Syncing? Your Reliable Tool Is Here

When it comes to backup files to OneDrive, you have two options: 

  1. 1. Manually upload files to OneDrive one by one.
  2. 2. Back up all files to OneDrive at one time. 

If you prefer the manual way, follow Microsoft to upload and save files to OneDrive. But if you prefer an all-in-one backup tool, EaseUS file backup software - Todo Backup is here to help.

With it, you can back up anything on your computer drive to OneDrive. If you ever feel like backup your current OS to OneDrive, the workstation version of EaseUS Todo Backup can help.

Let's see how to fully backup all data on your computer to OneDrive one time:

Step 1. To begin the backup process, click the Select backup contents button.

create file backup step1

Step 2. Four data backup categories are listed: File, Disk, OS, and Mail.

create file backup step2

Step 3. Lists of both local and network files are shown on the left-hand side of the screen. Expanding the directory so that you can choose the files to back up.

File backup

Step 4. Follow the guidance on the screen and choose the place where you want to store the back up.

File backup step4

Make sure that the backup is encrypted and set the backup schedule by clicking Options in Backup Options. You can also choose to start the backup at a certain time in Backup Scheme by clicking Options. There are many other customizable options that you can look into.

Backup options

Step 5. You can store the backup file either on your computer, in EaseUS's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage device (NAS).

file backup step4

Step 6. EaseUS Todo Backup enables customers store backup copies of their files on a third-party cloud drive or on the company's own cloud storage.

If you want to back up your data on a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive and scroll down to add Cloud Device. Then fill in your account information.

Backup to cloud
Click EaseUS Cloud, then sign up and log in with your EaseUS account if you wish to store backup files to EaseUS' own cloud storage service.

backup to easeus cloud

Step 7. Click on Backup Now to start a backup.  When the backup process is done, it will display as a card on the left-hand side of the screen. A right-click will let you see more about how to handle the backup job in more depth.

File backup step7

Don't Worry When OneDrive Is Not Syncing Files, Follow to Fix It Now

On this page, we collected all possible reasons that may block OneDrive from syncing files on your computer. And we also collected 8 fixes to help you resolve this issue, making OneDrive sync files again.

However, there is one thing that you cannot ignore that OneDrive sync has its constraints that you can't expect using this feature to backup and protect your local computer data. If you need a OneDrive file backup solution, it's wise that you turn to reliable backup software. Here, EaseUS Todo Backup with its file backup to OneDrive feature is countable.

EaseUS Todo Backup

EaseUS Todo Backup is a dependable and professional data backup solution capable of backing up files, folders, drives, APP data and creating a system image. It also makes it easy to clone HDD/SSD, transfer the system to different hardware, and create bootable WinPE bootable disks.

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  • Written by

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