onedrive sync stops working

Question

onedrive sync stops working saying its trying to upload 93 files but stays like that for days. I've tried a reset, re-install including removing the onedrive folder from app data local. When I open the folder, it shows all directories with a green status. How can I find which files are causing the problem?

Answer 1

Use OneDrive’s error details and then narrow down by common sync blockers.

1. Check OneDrive’s action center
   1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
   2. In the panel that opens, look for any files listed with errors or warnings. OneDrive often shows the exact files it is trying to upload and why they fail (name restrictions, size, permissions, etc.).
2. Look for files that never finish syncing Continuous “uploading” usually means one or more files hit a restriction or limitation:
   • Too many items in a folder
   • File too large
   • Invalid characters in the name
   • Path too long
   • Broken links inside Office files
   Review the items in the affected OneDrive folders and compare with the restrictions described in Restrictions and limitations when you sync files and folders (linked from the context articles).
3. Use the “move out, sync, move back” method to isolate bad files
   1. Pause syncing from the OneDrive menu.
   2. In File Explorer, move a subset of files (for example, half of the suspected folder) out of the OneDrive folder to a temporary location (like Desktop).
   3. Resume syncing and watch the OneDrive icon:
      • If the upload count drops or completes, the problematic files are likely in the group that was moved out.
      • If it still hangs, repeat with a different subset until the problematic group is isolated.
   4. Once narrowed down, move files back in smaller batches until the exact files that cause the stall are identified.
4. Check for hidden or temporary files Some hidden or temporary files can show as “syncing” indefinitely:
   1. Enable viewing hidden files in File Explorer.
   2. In the OneDrive folder, remove hidden or temporary files that are not needed.
   3. For Office files, close all Office apps and clear the Office document cache as described in the context, then try syncing again.
5. Verify there is enough local disk space Lack of local disk space can prevent OneDrive from finishing uploads. Ensure there is sufficient free space on the drive hosting the OneDrive folder.
6. If still stuck, repair or re‑establish sync If the same 93 files remain blocked after checking the above, stop syncing the affected library/folder and set it up again so OneDrive creates a fresh local folder, then copy content into it in batches to see which files fail.

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References:

• Troubleshoot file upload issues with OneDrive
• A OneDrive file or folder never finishes synchronization
• Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school
• The OneDrive sync status icon incorrectly shows "syncing" in File Explorer
• Fix OneDrive sync problems on Mac

Answer 2

Hello Martin White

Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft Q&A forum

Since Q&A assist already provided several troubleshooting methods, I would like to also add some additional methods to help you resolve this issue with OneDrive sync:

You should check for “silent blockers” such as invalid names, characters, trailing spaces or path too long:

• File/folder names containing: " * : < > ? / \ |
• Leading or trailing spaces in file/folder names
• Very deep folder nesting / very long paths
• In the OneDrive folder, use File Explorer search for characters like : or * (some characters can’t be searched directly), and also visually check recently created/renamed folders.
• You should also pay attention to folders created by apps/games or download tools these often generate files that OneDrive can’t handle cleanly.

If the OneDrive tray doesn’t reveal the filenames, you can still identify them by isolating where the 93 files:

• Pause syncing from the OneDrive tray.
• Move half of your OneDrive content (start with the biggest/top-level folders) to a temporary folder outside OneDrive.
• Resume sync and see if the “uploading 93 files” count drops or the issue clears.
• If it clears, the culprit is in the half you moved out; if not, it’s in the half still in OneDrive.
• Repeat by halving again until you narrow down to a specific folder, then a specific file.

Feel free reply back to this post if you need further assistance, I'll be happy to help.