When OneDrive fails to sync, you can no longer back up files from your computer and access them across different devices. This setback is usually related to the desktop client, and it can halt important work and waste valuable time.

But you mustn’t panic, as the issue is 100% fixable. And you don’t have to call Microsoft Support just yet. 

This article will show different ways to fix the “OneDrive not syncing on Windows 11 and 10” issue.

Also Read: Windows 10 Backup Guide: Backing Up to an External Hard Drive

One of the common causes of the problem is a faulty internet connection. Since the service relies on the Internet to sync your files, it will malfunction when you have network issues.

It’s natural to panic when your internet connection is fine and the app still refuses to synchronize your files. In this case, the issue may result from software conflicts, incorrect configurations, problematic file parameters, account problems, and an outdated OneDrive desktop client or operating system.

There are different ways to fix the syncing issue because there are different root causes. We’ll walk you through the various solutions, from the basic fixes to the more complex ones.

It’s completely normal to notice that OneDrive is not syncing on Windows 10 or 11 when your internet connection is down.

The issue will be resolved immediately after you get the connection back up.

Many things can disconnect your PC from the web, from DNS and network adapter issues to IP address conflicts and ISP downtime. You can follow our guide on fixing internet problems on Windows to pinpoint and resolve the issue.

Also Read: Boost Internet on Your PC: Tips on How to Speed Up Your Internet Connection

Your OneDrive syncing problems could be due to your system’s lack of essential updates. In such a scenario, it is recommended to update Windows manually.

If you’re running a Windows version below Windows 10, we recommend upgrading immediately. Microsoft only supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, as all other versions have reached their end-of-life. 

Now, we’ll show you how to update Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows 10:

Windows 11:

We hope your OneDrive not syncing issues are no more.

Also Read: How to Reset Windows Update: Fixing Update Problems

The “OneDrive not syncing on Windows 10 and 11” issue may occur because the desktop app is not allowed to run at startup. Many Windows users disable startup programs to improve Windows’ boot speed. 

While such settings are effective, they may impact some apps. You can use other means to make your computer boot faster and enhance performance.

Follow these steps to allow Microsoft OneDrive to start when your PC boots:

Whatever caused the “OneDrive won’t sync issue,” syncing it back again can fix things. Doing this is as simple as closing the app and starting it again. Here’s how:

Many users have reported that resetting OneDrive eliminates its syncing issues, so let’s try this fix out.First, start with resetting the Microsoft Store and check if that resolves the problem. Here’s how to do that:

Also Read: How to Reinstall Microsoft Store on Windows 10?

Now, follow these steps to reset the OneDrive app:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

Or 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

Follow these steps if you use the OneDrive store desktop app:

If you rely on the OneDrive app you downloaded from the Microsoft Store, we recommend also using the OneDrive web application.

Go to the OneDrive website, log into your account, and install the web application. You can install the app by clicking the app icon in the address bar. Note the icon may be different for different web browsers.

This application allows you to download and upload synced files and folders instead of syncing them directly from your computer.

If you notice OneDrive is not syncing on Windows 11, your files and folders may be violating one or more OneDrive restrictions and limitations. 

OneDrive prohibits syncing files and folders with specific sizes, names, and characters. Also, you cannot sync some file types and files from certain locations.

File Size

The max single file upload limit on a premium OneDrive plan is 250 GB. So if the individual files or folders in question are that size or bigger, automatic sync won’t work.

You can get around this by compressing the file or folder. You can do this with the native Windows compressor on Windows 10 and 11.

You can now upload the compressed file to OneDrive or let the program sync the file automatically.

Also Read: Disk Cleanup Tips: How to Compress a Drive to Save Disk Space in Windows 10

File or Folder Path

You should also ensure that the file’s or folder’s entire path is less than 400 characters. If it is equal to or more than that, change the file’s or folder’s location so it has a shorter path. A typical file path looks like this: 

C:\Users\Sam\AppData\Local\EADesktop\cache\qmlcache

File of Folder Names

OneDrive also prohibits using certain characters it refers to as invalid or illegal. These characters include:

| / < * \ : > ?

Starting or ending the file name with a space is also prohibited.

Additionally, OneDrive will not sync files and folders with the following names:

You should know that OneDrive cannot sync everything on your computer. This is simply impossible due to cloud storage constraints. To make the app’s job easier, you can manually choose the folders OneDrive should sync. Here’s how to do it on Windows 10 and 11:

You can also add the folder to the OneDrive folder on your PC. Launch a File Explorer window and drag and drop the file or folder you want to sync to the OneDrive folder.

OneDrive will no longer sync your files once you reach your plan’s storage limit. Every account has a free 5 GB allocation, but users must pay for more storage. So, it is time to upgrade if you notice that you have been syncing many files.You can follow these steps to confirm your storage details:

You can also delete unneeded files from your OneDrive cloud account to free up space for important uploads.

You can reconnect your Microsoft account to your Windows computer and check if that fixes the issue. Please try to use the same Microsoft account as the OneDrive account logged into the desktop client.

Follow these steps if you’re on Windows 10:

Follow these steps if you run Windows 11:

Hopefully, this trick has proved helpful.

If OneDrive is still struggling to sync your files, you should check your security software – the thing is, it might be overreacting.Third-party antivirus and firewall tools often interfere with OneDrive settings, so chances are you have run into this very issue. To check if that is your case, turn off your non-Microsoft solution and see what happens.

If your syncing problem vanishes after you turn off the tool, report the problem to its manufacturer. If there is no way to configure the software not to block the OneDrive functionality, consider switching to another product.

For instance, the powerful and reliable Auslogics Anti-Malware tool is designed not to tamper with other programs, so you will have neither malware items nor software conflicts in your system.

The next solution involves starting Windows in a clean state. It helps you confirm software conflicts from third-party applications that may be preventing OneDrive from syncing.

You’ll be preventing third-party startup services and programs from launching when Windows boots. If OneDrive starts syncing your files after the reboot, a software conflict is responsible for the issue.

You can find the conflicting program by reactivating the startup apps one after the other until the issue reoccurs.

You should now be able to sync your files through OneDrive without issues. Ensure your files and folders don’t break OneDrive’s restriction rules, and always maintain a stable internet connection to prevent future issues.