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If OneDrive is not syncing your files, start by selecting its cloud icon in the Windows notification area or Mac menu bar. The icon can show whether syncing is paused, OneDrive is signed out, files are still processing, or an action is needed. Match the fix to that status before resetting the app or changing account settings.
These steps apply to personal and work or school accounts, but some controls and restrictions vary by platform and organization. If you see “This file can’t be synced,” begin with the file-specific checks below; if nothing in OneDrive is accessible, check Microsoft service health before troubleshooting your computer.
1. Read the OneDrive status icon
Select the cloud icon in the Windows notification area or Mac menu bar. Microsoft’s status icons indicate sign-in state, whether syncing is paused, file availability, and whether action is needed. A gray icon with a line can mean you are not signed in or setup is incomplete; a pause symbol means syncing has stopped until resumed. Microsoft explains the OneDrive icons.
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2. Resume syncing or reopen OneDrive
If the icon shows syncing is paused, select it and resume syncing. If you quit OneDrive, reopen it from Windows Start or Mac Finder. Pausing may have been intentional, so check this before changing account settings. Microsoft’s pause and resume instructions cover the controls.
3. Sign in again if OneDrive is disconnected
A changed password, incomplete setup, or account mismatch can leave OneDrive disconnected. Complete sign-in with the intended personal or work or school account, then check whether the original message clears. If an error code appears, use Microsoft’s OneDrive sync error guidance for its specific meaning. For error 0x80010007, Microsoft directs users to unlink the account and run setup again; cloud files remain accessible online.
4. Check whether Microsoft 365 has a service issue
If OneDrive itself cannot be accessed, check Microsoft 365 service health before changing local settings. Service incidents vary by time and tenant, so an inability to sync on one device does not establish that Microsoft is experiencing an outage. Microsoft’s recent OneDrive issues page also directs users to service health.
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5. Make sure the missing folder is selected
If a particular folder does not appear or sync, check OneDrive’s folder-selection controls in settings. A folder that is not selected for syncing will not show up as expected on that device. Microsoft’s folder backup and sync guidance includes this check.
6. Check available storage
When a OneDrive account is over its Microsoft storage allowance, Microsoft says it cannot upload, edit, or sync new files. Check the account’s storage usage, then remove files you no longer need or review available storage options if the quota is the cause. Microsoft explains storage-related account restrictions.
7. Check the file name and path
OneDrive restricts certain names, characters, file types, and paths. Microsoft’s folder-backup guidance says names cannot start with a space or contain these characters: : / * ? < > " |. Rename the item or move it to a permitted path, following the current OneDrive and SharePoint restrictions.
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8. Verify file size and type
Microsoft’s folder-backup guidance says OneDrive cannot sync files larger than 250GB. For work or school accounts, an administrator can also block particular file types. Check the current size and file restrictions and, for a managed account, ask IT whether policy blocks the type before treating this as an app failure. Microsoft’s sync error guidance describes blocked types as one possible cause.
9. Close the file if another app is using it
A document being edited, an image being processed, or an Outlook data file may be unavailable to OneDrive while open. Save your work and close the file or the app using it, then give OneDrive time to sync. This is a good first fix for “This file can’t be synced” when the error is limited to an item in use. Microsoft’s file sync troubleshooting covers files that cannot be synced.
10. Check read and write permissions
If OneDrive reports a file permission problem on Windows, right-click the file and choose Properties → Security. Confirm that your account has both Read and Write permissions. On a work- or school-managed device, an administrator may control these permissions. Follow Microsoft’s Windows permission troubleshooting steps for the specific error.
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11. Give “Processing changes” time when the cause is legitimate
“Processing changes” can be expected after sign-in, a computer update, or a OneDrive update, and while the app handles many new files or a very large file. An open OneDrive file can also hold up processing. Close finished work and allow a large first sync to run; a slow internet connection can make it take longer. If the status persists after the relevant activity has ended, continue with the more targeted checks below. Microsoft lists these causes in its “Processing changes” guidance.
12. Inspect pending and hidden files before deleting anything
Unknown or hidden files can contribute to a processing or pending status. Review OneDrive activity and the related file guidance before removing anything. Microsoft says aria-debug log files can be safely deleted in the scenario described in its processing troubleshooting article; do not assume other unfamiliar files are disposable.
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13. Retry a file-specific error by moving the file out and back
Use this targeted retry only when the error is tied to a particular file and simpler checks have not worked:
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- Close OneDrive.
- Move the affected file outside the OneDrive folder.
- Restart OneDrive and wait until it reports “Up to date.”
- Copy the file back into the OneDrive folder and check its sync status.
Microsoft describes this procedure in its file-specific sync troubleshooting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.14. Unlink and relink only for persistent connection trouble
Unlinking and relinking is a later connection repair, not a first response to one blocked file. Microsoft’s Windows and Mac steps differ, so use the instructions for your platform in its unlink and relink guide. Microsoft says local folders are temporarily disconnected during the process; changes made while unlinked sync after relinking. You may need to configure folder choices again.
15. Reset OneDrive or contact support
Reset can resolve some sync issues, but it disconnects existing sync connections and causes a full sync. Try the status, file, quota, and connection checks that match your symptom first. If a reset is warranted, follow Microsoft’s current platform-specific OneDrive reset instructions.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor a work or school account, contact your IT helpdesk when organization policy, blocked file types, or permissions may be involved. Otherwise, contact Microsoft support with the exact error message, your platform, and whether the problem affects one file or the whole account. Microsoft’s recent issues page provides a route to support and service-status information.
Quickly match the symptom to the next step
| What you see | Start here | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Pause symbol on the cloud icon | Resume syncing | Sync state on this device |
| Gray icon or sign-in prompt | Complete setup or sign in again | Account connection |
| “This file can’t be synced” for one item | Close the file; check name, path, type, size, and permissions | One file or folder |
| “Processing changes” | Check for open files, a large first sync, recent updates, or pending files | Current sync activity |
| New files will not upload | Check storage usage | Account quota |
| OneDrive is inaccessible | Check Microsoft 365 service health | Service or tenant |
| Connection trouble persists after narrower checks | Unlink and relink; consider reset only afterward | Account or app connection |
Microsoft’s April 22, 2026 rollout notice describes syncing up to 1,000,000 items, but that figure applies to the rollout as described and should not be assumed for every account. See Microsoft’s dated rollout notice for its terms.
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