SharePoint and OneDrive provide seamless file synchronization across devices. However, users often encounter the “files not syncing” issue where changes to SharePoint document libraries don’t sync with their local OneDrive sync client.
In this article, we’ll cover:
✅ What causes sync issues
✅ Troubleshooting steps
✅ Best practices to avoid sync problems
🔎 Symptoms
- Files in SharePoint document libraries are not updating in the OneDrive sync folder.
- Sync status shows “Sync pending”, “Processing changes”, or “Error”.
- Files stuck with a red “X” or “exclamation” icon in Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder.
- OneDrive app may display a notification: “There was a problem syncing your files”.
📌 Common Causes
1️⃣ Outdated OneDrive Sync Client
Using an older version of OneDrive can cause compatibility and sync issues.
2️⃣ File Name/Path Issues
- Invalid characters in filenames (e.g., *, <, >, |) or exceeding the path limit (~400 characters).
3️⃣ Insufficient Permissions
Users may not have the required permissions to sync the SharePoint document library.
4️⃣ Large File Sizes or Limits
OneDrive has file size limits (up to 250 GB per file) and overall storage quotas.
5️⃣ Conflicting Files
Files edited simultaneously by multiple users may create conflicts.
6️⃣ Network Connectivity Issues
Poor or intermittent internet connections can interrupt sync.
🛠 Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
🔧 1. Update OneDrive Sync Client
- Check the current OneDrive version: Click the OneDrive icon > Settings > About.
- Download and install the latest version from OneDrive Download.
🔧 2. Check File and Path Names
- Rename files with invalid characters or reduce the length of nested folder paths.
- Avoid using restricted characters:
\ / : * ? " < > | # % &.
🔧 3. Verify User Permissions
- In SharePoint, ensure the user has at least Read/Write permissions for the library.
- Go to Library Settings > Permissions and check group assignments.
🔧 4. Resolve Sync Conflicts
- Open the OneDrive sync folder and look for conflicting files.
- Rename, merge, or delete conflicting versions as needed.
🔧 5. Restart OneDrive Sync
- Right-click the OneDrive icon > Pause syncing, wait a few minutes, then Resume syncing.
- If needed, unlink and re-link the SharePoint library:
- Settings > Account > Stop sync.
- Re-add the library from SharePoint.
🔧 6. Check Storage Limits
- In SharePoint/OneDrive, verify you haven’t exceeded storage quotas.
- Check OneDrive app Settings > Account for space usage.
🔧 7. Check Network Connection
- Ensure a stable internet connection.
- Switch to a wired connection or a different Wi-Fi network if possible.
💡 Best Practices to Avoid Sync Issues
- Keep OneDrive updated to the latest version.
- Avoid using unsupported characters or deep folder structures.
- Regularly monitor sync status and resolve errors promptly.
- Use the OneDrive Web app as a fallback if syncing issues persist.
📚 Conclusion
File sync issues in SharePoint and OneDrive are common but usually solvable. By updating the OneDrive client, resolving file name conflicts, verifying permissions, and ensuring a stable connection, users can restore sync functionality and avoid data loss.
Author: Ramprasad Mandal (26th May’2025)