If your OneDrive shows the message “OneDrive can’t sync”, it usually means something went wrong with file syncing, account connection, or local storage. The good news? In most cases, you can fix it quickly—whether you’re on Windows or macOS.
This guide covers the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to get your OneDrive back in sync.
1. Check your internet connection
It might sound obvious, but syncing requires a stable internet connection. Make sure:
- You’re connected to a reliable Wi-Fi or LAN network
- No firewall or VPN is blocking OneDrive
- You can open other websites or cloud services without issues
If the internet is working fine, move on to the next step.
2. Restart OneDrive
Sometimes OneDrive just needs a quick restart.
On Windows
- Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray
- Click Settings > Quit OneDrive
- Search for “OneDrive” in the Start menu and open it again
On macOS
- Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the top menu bar
- Select Quit OneDrive
- Reopen it from the Applications folder or using Spotlight
After restarting, the sync issue may be resolved automatically.
3. Check OneDrive status and error messages
Click the cloud icon and look for any messages like:
- “You don’t have permission to sync this file”
- “Storage is full”
- “Account is disconnected”
These messages often guide you directly to the source of the problem.
4. Verify your OneDrive account
Make sure you’re signed in with the correct account.
- Go to Settings > Account in the OneDrive menu
- Confirm you’re using the right Microsoft account
- If not, sign out and sign in again
- If using OneDrive for Business, confirm your organization hasn’t suspended your account
5. Free up local disk space
If your disk is full, OneDrive won’t be able to sync new files.
- Delete unnecessary files from your device
- Move large files to an external drive
- Use Files On-Demand to keep only cloud versions of files (Windows or macOS)
6. Resolve file name issues
Certain file names or characters can prevent syncing.
Common issues include:
- File names with characters like
* ? / < > | - File paths that are too long (over 400 characters)
- Reserved file names like
CON,PRN, orAUX
Rename or move affected files and wait for sync to resume.
7. Reset OneDrive (last resort)
If none of the above helps, reset the OneDrive app. This clears its cache without deleting your files.
On Windows
Press Windows + R, type:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Press Enter. Then open OneDrive manually from the Start menu.
On macOS
Use Terminal and enter:
~/Library/Application\ Support/OneDrive/OneDrive --reset
This may take a few minutes. Your settings may need to be reconfigured after reset.
8. Update OneDrive and your system
An outdated version of OneDrive or your OS can lead to sync failures.
- Check for Windows/macOS updates
- Update OneDrive from the Microsoft Store (Windows) or App Store (macOS)
- Make sure OneDrive is not blocked by system permissions
Summary
The “OneDrive can’t sync” error is frustrating but often easy to resolve. Begin with basic steps like checking your connection and restarting the app. Then move on to file issues, account verification, and space cleanup. If nothing works, a reset or update usually helps.
Still stuck? Microsoft offers advanced diagnostics via the OneDrive Troubleshooter Tool for Windows users.
