OneDrive is an excellent cloud storage option and is a crucial part of Microsoft’s suite. Microsoft OneDrive, which provides a smooth experience for sharing, syncing, and storing files across several devices, is an essential component of contemporary digital workflows. Due to its compatibility with Windows 10 and 11, users who want to easily manage their files in the cloud usually choose it by default. Even said, OneDrive is not immune to sporadic problems that could interfere with the seamless operation of file synchronization. Thus, when OneDrive fails to sync files accurately for a variety of reasons, users are totally justified in becoming frustrated. Possible forms of this could include error messages, incomplete syncing of files, or sometimes, even complete file failure.

5 Most Common Reasons For OneDrive Sync Issues

The foundation of cloud storage systems such as OneDrive is the synchronisation of its files, in other words, the continuous and harmonious synchronisation of data across numerous devices. Nevertheless, users sometimes experience problems with synchronisation, which interferes with the smooth exchange of data. Sync problems can appear as differences between local and online storage, error messages during syncing efforts, or files that don’t update across devices. Acknowledging these issues is essential to properly addressing them.

• Network Interruptions: File synchronisation can be hampered by unstable or intermittent internet connections, which prevents files from updating across devices.
• Storage Restrictions: Users may need to analyse stored files and maybe delete or relocate them if OneDrive stops syncing because of storage restrictions.
• Battery Saver Mode: When a device goes into battery saver mode, OneDrive may immediately stop syncing, which could affect the synchronisation of important files.
• Outdated Software: Using outdated OneDrive software or running OneDrive on an outdated Windows version can cause compatibility difficulties that can cause sync troubles.
• Configuration errors: Improper configurations or settings in OneDrive options might cause synchronisation across devices to run slowly.

Users will be better equipped to fix Microsoft OneDrive Not Syncing  error efficiently when they are aware of these prevalent causes. OneDrive customers can customise their approach to handle individual concerns by understanding the nuances of synchronisation challenges, which guarantees a more dependable and effective cloud storage experience. We’ll look at some major strategies in the upcoming sections to help you take on these obstacles head-on and use OneDrive’s features to get back to work. So now, let us see all the ways to solve the issue with Microsoft OneDrive not working properly.

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10 Practical Solutions To Fix Microsoft OneDrive Not Syncing Error

Reopening OneDrive App After Closing It

Closing and reopening OneDrive can help fix issues, just like restarting your computer or an app. Sometimes the simplest solution might just work. Here’s how you do it:

• Step 1: On the taskbar, right-click the OneDrive symbol.
• Step 2: After choosing the Gear icon, select “Quit OneDrive.”
• Step 3: Click “Close OneDrive” on the verification prompt to confirm.
• Step 4: Using the Start menu, restart OneDrive.

Restarting Your Windows PC Or Laptop

Another basic troubleshooting tool which always helps, restarting helps with various problems with PCs or computers including the Microsoft OneDrive sync error due to all systems rebooting and starting again. The steps to do it are given below:

• Step 1: Enter the Windows key to open the Start Menu.
• Step 2: After that, look for the power icon in the lower right corner and press it.
• Step 3: In the menu popup that opens, click on restart.

Update Your Windows PC or Laptop

Regular Windows updates are crucial for system stability. This also includes the functionality of the Microsoft OneDrive application. Checking for updates and then installing it makes sure that you are running the latest software and are very unlikely to get any error or issue. Here’s how:

• Step 1: Hit the Windows key to open the Start Menu.
• Step 2: On it, type Settings on the search bar and hit enter when the app shows up.
• Step 3: After the Settings app is open, click on Updates and Security.
• Step 4: Here, find the check for updates option and then click on it.
• Step 5: If there are any updates available, promptly install them.

Check For Network Bandwidth Restrictions

Limited bandwidth can inadvertently restrict OneDrive syncing. Thus it is important to check it and make sure that your network is working as intended. Here is how to do that:

• Step 1: Click the Gear symbol to open OneDrive and go to Settings.
• Step 2: Navigate to the Network tab.
• Step 3: Upload and download speeds should be set to “Don’t limit.”

Analyze OneDrive Error Codes

It is not usual for OneDrive to show the error codes instead of just stating the drive is not syncing. But, in the event that you get an error code, it could be helpful. Microsoft has provided guidelines for error codes, making it easy to understand and troubleshoot your specific situation as per the code. Also, Microsoft has put a section on messages and sync codes. Not all of these might be related to your issue, but it is still worth checking out.

Deactivate Sync Pausing In Battery Saver Mode Feature

Microsoft OneDrive has a feature that it automatically stops syncing files when the Windows Computer or Laptop has low battery, to conserve battery and make the device last longer. However, this could be the reason for your OneDrive not syncing error. Here is how to fix this:

• Step 1: Click the Gear symbol to open OneDrive.
• Step 2: Open the Settings app.
• Step 3: Click the Settings tab.
• Step 4: Remove the option “Automatically pause sync when this device is in battery saver mode.”

Storage Amount Verification

Running out of storage is a common reason for syncing troubles. Here is how you check your storage:

• Step 1: On the taskbar, right-click the OneDrive symbol.
• Step 2: Click the Gear symbol and select “Settings.”
• Step 3: Examine the state of storage.
• Step 4: Move or remove files as necessary, or think about increasing storage.

Keep in mind that the basic version of Microsoft OneDrive only provides 5GB access. If you have reached your limit, you can delete some files or upgrade to the Microsoft 365 plan.

Unlink & Relink Your Microsoft OneDrive Account

There may be an issue with your account being improperly linked or not being linked at all to Microsoft OneDrive, causing the sync errors. Here is how you can relink your Microsoft OneDrive Account:

• Step 1: Open OneDrive, and select Settings by clicking the Gear symbol.
• Step 2: Navigate to the Account tab and select “Unlink this PC.”
• Step 3: To confirm, select “Unlink OneDrive” or “Unlink account.”
• Step 4: Restart OneDrive and enter your Microsoft account details correctly again.

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Pause & Restart OneDrive Syncing

Sometimes your OneDrive may be frozen. But you can pause and then resume your OneDrive synching so that it gets unfrozen. Here is how to do that:

• Step 1: Click on the Gear icon to open OneDrive.
• Step 2: Choose “Pause syncing” and give it two hours.
• Step 3: During the pause, move files out of the sync folder.
• Step 4: Click the Gear icon when OneDrive is open, then choose “Resume syncing.”

Reinstall the OneDrive App

This is the last method to do when everything fails. You can choose to reinstall the OneDrive app if all the other methods fail. Here is how you will do it:

• Step 1: Use Windows button to open ‘Start’ menu
• Step 2: Then, type in Settings in the search bar.
• Step 3: After the Settings app opening, Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Step 4: Here, search for “OneDrive” and uninstall.

To Conclude

Finally, even though Microsoft OneDrive is an essential tool for flawless online file management, sporadic syncing problems might compromise its effectiveness. Users can efficiently handle synchronisation issues by being aware of the nature of these obstacles, which might range from network outages to storage constraints. Ten workable solutions, each with detailed instructions, have been provided in this post to fully resolve OneDrive sync issues. These remedies include a range of situations, such as reopening the app, verifying network bandwidth limitations, and relinking your account. Users may restore the easy-to-use experience that OneDrive offers by following these steps, guaranteeing continuous productivity in their digital processes.