OneDrive and SharePoint files not syncing?

1. Protect changes that have not uploaded

If a file has recent edits that are missing online, save a separate copy outside the synced folder before troubleshooting. Do not delete the local folder or assume the cloud version contains your latest work.

2. Compare the browser and the computer

1. Open OneDrive or the SharePoint library in your browser using the correct work account.
2. Check whether the expected file is present and up to date. If you cannot open the library online, ask the owner or administrator to check access.
3. Select the OneDrive cloud icon on your computer and read the actual warning. Note the account, affected file and error.
4. If sync is paused, resume it. Check internet access and available space on both the device and your cloud storage.

3. Files stuck on “sync pending”

Save and close the affected document and allow queued uploads time to finish. Look for a specific blocked file or conflict in OneDrive. Check the file name and path against Microsoft’s current restrictions, rather than repeatedly renaming whole folders.

If only one file is affected, investigate that file first. If everything is affected, check account sign-in, storage and the sync client. Avoid repeated reset attempts.

4. When a SharePoint library is affected

Confirm you can open the same library in a browser and that your permissions have not changed. Identify whether the local folder was added using Sync or Add shortcut to OneDrive; do not add a second connection to the same content while diagnosing the first.

An administrator may need to review library settings or organisational policies. Unlinking, removing shortcuts or resetting OneDrive should follow a check that local changes are safely preserved.

When to ask for help

Contact Bluewall if several staff are affected, versions conflict, files appear to have disappeared or you cannot establish which copy is current. Provide the error, affected account, library name and whether browser access works.

Get OneDrive and SharePoint support · Recover deleted OneDrive files

Further guidance

Microsoft: fixing OneDrive sync problems