Troubleshooting Guide: OneDrive Is Not Syncing? Here's How to Fix It

OneDrive is capable of unexpectedly ceasing to operate without warning, despite its exceptional features. The problem of OneDrive is not syncing can be especially annoying when dealing with sensitive personal or professional files. But don't worry! Today, we’ll cover some common causes of OneDrive syncing issues and offer potential solutions so that you can get up and running again with confidence. We’ll also go over strategies for avoiding OneDrive sync problems in the future so as to prevent them from occurring again. Keep reading if you want to improve your understanding of OneDrive and ensure all of your content is properly synced moving forward!

Why OneDrive Is not Syncing?

If you're experiencing trouble with OneDrive, specifically with files not syncing, there could be a few different factors at play. To get to the root of the issue, it's helpful to look at some common causes for this problem.

1. Your internet connection:

This is one of the most common reasons why OneDrive may not be syncing. Without a stable and strong connection, OneDrive won't be able to communicate with the cloud servers, resulting in syncing issues.

2. Storage space:

If your OneDrive account has reached its storage limit, you won't be able to sync any more files to it. In this scenario, you'll need to either delete some of your existing files or upgrade your storage plan.

3. File size limitations:

OneDrive sets limits on the size of files that can be uploaded and synced. For instance, the maximum file size for uploads through the OneDrive website is 15GB.

4. File permissions:

If you're trying to sync files from a networked location or an external drive, there may be permission issues that are preventing OneDrive from accessing and syncing those files.

5. Outdated OneDrive version:

If you haven't updated your OneDrive app or client in some time, syncing issues may arise due to compatibility issues with newer versions of the app or cloud servers.

6. Firewall or antivirus software:

In some cases, firewall or antivirus software may be preventing OneDrive from communicating with the cloud servers and syncing your files. In this scenario, you may need to adjust the settings or temporarily disable the software to allow OneDrive to sync your files.

How to Fix the Problem of OneDrive Not Synchronizing?

Here are some easy steps to fix the OneDrive not syncing problem:

Check the Error Icon

If you're experiencing sync issues with OneDrive, it's always good to start by checking for any error icons or messages on the official guidelines provided by Microsoft. Different errors may require different fixes. And remember, using these fixes won't delete any files that are already synced through the OneDrive app.

Close and Reopen the OneDrive App

Sometimes all it takes is a simple restart to get things working again. Just like restarting an app or your PC can solve certain problems, closing and reopening OneDrive might resolve any OneDrive not synchronising issue as well.

In the following steps, you will learn how to do it:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar.

2. Select the Gear icon on the top-right corner and click "Quit OneDrive".

3. Upon receiving the verification message, click "Close OneDrive."

4. Restart OneDrive from the Start menu.

Now check if your files are syncing properly.

Pause Syncing and Resume

Another quick fix for OneDrive sync problem is pausing syncing for a while and then resuming it again later.

The steps are as follows:

1. The OneDrive cloud icon can be selected by right-clicking in the notification area.

2. If not finding a shortcut, click “Show Hidden Icons”

3. Choose the pause option Syncing Will get paused until paused manually.

After pausing synchronization temporarily, you just need to resume from the same place or system tray.

Link Your OneDrive Account Again

Sometimes, linking your account again can help in fixing sync problems. To accomplish this, you must disconnect and then link your account.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Right-click the cloud icon of OneDrive from the system tray.

2. Then choose "Settings > Account".

3. Choose to disconnect your account.

4. Restart your system and launch OneDrive again.

5. Provide your account details and link it again.

Update Windows

If you're running an older version of Windows or haven't updated it in a while, it can cause compatibility issues with OneDrive. Keeping your Windows updated is important for various reasons including fixing OneDrive is not syncing Windows 10.

Let's update our windows by following these steps:

1. Open System’s Setting

2. Click on Update & Security Button

3. Check For any available updates on that screen (It takes only a few minutes)

4. If there are any pending updates, simply download those Updates.

Now wait for the updates to get installed completely before checking if the OneDrive not syncing problem has been resolved.

Switch off Office Upload

One potential issue causing a disruption in file syncing through OneDrive is having office upload activated automatically. If you've encountered a problem where files aren't being synced properly, try disabling this feature within the settings of Microsoft Office itself.

Follow these steps:

1: In the case of OneDrive not syncing between devices, then visit its Settings and click on the “Office” tab.

2. Uncheck “Use Office to sync Office files that I open” and click the “Ok” button.

3. Restart the drive again to fix this issue.

Check File Path Length

Did you know that according to guidelines given by Microsoft, file paths should not exceed 255 characters? Having multiple sub-folders or unnecessarily long path names, it might cause your OneDrive don't sync folder.

Follow these steps to check and rename any long file paths:

1. Go to the folders stored in your OneDrive directory.

2. Find any files or sub-folders with long names that exceed 255 characters.

3. Rename them to maintain a shorter file path (less than 255 characters).

Disable Sync Pausing in Battery Saver Mode

Are you facing synchronization issues while using your device in battery saver mode? It's possible that OneDrive automatically pauses syncing when your battery is low. When OneDrive sync is paused in battery saver mode, you can disable it by following the steps below:

1: Initiate OneDrive by navigating to the taskbar and selecting the Gear option. Click Settings in the menu.

2: Navigate to the Settings app, after which proceed to deselect the Automatic Sync Pause button found within the Power Save settings.

Note that this functionality will allow OneDrive synchronization even in battery-saving mode.

Check Network Bandwidth Restrictions

Using a limited bandwidth connection, OneDrive may have been restricted without you realizing it. The limitations on your OneDrive storage will remain in place only until the sync is done. To disable OneDrive's bandwidth restrictions, follow these steps:

1: Starting with the taskbar, open OneDrive by clicking its icon, then proceed to the Gear icon and click it for settings.

2: Upon accessing the Settings menu, locate and select the Network option situated towards the top of the screen.

3: Change the upload and download rate’s to Don’t Limit.

With increasing file storage on OneDrive, you may notice that the platform's features are more prominent. After synchronizing your files, revert the upload and download rates to their previous levels.

Use an Alternative Backup:

If you've exhausted all the troubleshooting steps and the OneDrive synchronization issue persists, it's possible that the problem lies with OneDrive itself. In such cases, it's prudent to ensure the safety of your data by considering alternative backup solutions. These could involve utilizing external hard drives, exploring cloud services other than OneDrive, or employing third-party backup software. For those seeking a simple yet reliable way to safeguard their data, the HONOR X Series devices offer an excellent backup experience. With seamless integration with Google Drive, HONOR smartphones streamline the backup process, providing users with a hassle-free way to secure their valuable information.

Conclusion

The issues caused by OneDrive not syncing can be compounded by a number of factors such as an interrupted sync process, incompatible or too long file paths, network bandwidth restrictions and others. Fortunately, our step-by-step guide has provided some easy solutions to help you fix OneDrive is not sync issues. In big picture understanding and recognizing what the issue is that is stopping the sync process from completing successfully becomes incredibly important. Time is of the essence in situations like this so taking advantage of external backup applications can be essential for further critical data protection. With the right proactive approach, we hope that you are now better prepared for potential OneDrive not Syncing issues and have the necessary steps to tackle them swiftly.

Source: HONOR Club