Below are listed solutions to help OneDrive when it is having sync issues.
Solutions
Solution 1
Download a few files to force OneDrive to start syncing correctly again.
Helps when files will not open and/or OneDrive is causing the computer to crash.
- Click on the OneDrive cloud icon.
- If there is no icon, open the OneDrive app.
- Click Open Folder
- Right-click on a file, then select Always Keep on this Device.
- Try this for two or three files and see if more files start showing that they are syncing.
Solution 2
Pause and resume syncing.
Helps with a variety of syncing issues.
- Click on the OneDrive cloud icon.
- If there is no icon, open the OneDrive app.
- Click the gear icon.
- Choose Pause Syncing (for 2 hours).
- Go back to the gear icon and click resume syncing.
Solution 3
Sign out and back in.
Helps with a variety of syncing issues.
- Click on the OneDrive cloud icon.
- If there is no icon, open the OneDrive app.
- Click the gear icon.
- Choose preferences > Account > Unlink this Mac/PC > Unlink Account.
- Sign back in and follow the prompts.
- Choose "Use This Folder" when signing back in.
Solution 4
Remove Shortcuts.
(Shown by the blue paperclip on a folder).
Helps when the user has too many files syncing at one time. Shortcuts to shared folders can be massive so if these can cause issues with OneDrive syncing correctly, freezing, or other issues. This may also be related to the "Not enough space in OneDrive" error. Make sure to get the user's permission before removing these.
- Click on the OneDrive cloud icon.
- If there is no icon, open the OneDrive app.
- Click "View Online."
- Click the three dots on the shortcut.
- Click "Remove."
Solution 5
Move trouble-files off of OneDrive and then back on.
Helps when some files are not syncing properly for unknown reasons.
- Make note of the location of the files.
- Move files to a location that is not backed up by OneDrive (In a new folder).
- Wait for OneDrive to finish syncing.
- Move them back to their original location.
- If they do not sync after moving them back, an option is to keep them saved locally.