One Drive Sync Issues

Question

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Hello,

Hope you're all having a great day.

Can someone please assist me with the below issue? I have synced my SharePoint site from OneDrive to File Explorer with zero sync errors or warning messages and for some reason the folder has a red cross next to it. I can see within the folder that everything is showing as synced, I have cleared the folders and resynced the site however I am still having the same problem : (

Answer 1

Hello @William Denton,

Thank you for your message and for providing the details. I understand how confusing it can be when folders appear to be fully synced but still show a red cross icon.

As a next step, I kindly recommend unlinking and then re‑linking your computer to OneDrive. This process often refreshes the local sync configuration and clears hidden cache or status inconsistencies that can cause sync indicators to remain stuck. Microsoft provides a detailed, step‑by‑step guide for this process here, which walks you through signing out, unlinking the device, and reconnecting it safely: Fix OneDrive sync problems - Microsoft Support

Please follow the instructions carefully, then allow OneDrive some time to complete the re‑sync after reconnecting your account.

If the issue still persists after re‑linking, you may also want to review other common OneDrive sync conditions and scenarios referenced in the following Microsoft article. It covers additional causes such as cache issues, sync state delays, and folder‑level metadata conflicts: Fix OneDrive sync problems - Microsoft Support

 

I appreciate your patience while troubleshooting this. Please feel free to let me know how it goes or if you need any further assistance.

Warm regards,

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Answer 2

The red circle with the white cross on a OneDrive/SharePoint folder means at least one item in that folder cannot be synced, even if most files show as synced.

Use these steps to identify and fix the problem item(s):

1. In the Windows notification area, select the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon.
2. In the OneDrive action center that opens, look for any listed sync errors. OneDrive will usually show which file or folder is failing and why.
3. If the error mentions invalid or unsupported characters in the file name (or other OneDrive restrictions), rename the file to remove the unsupported characters/strings, then let it sync again. See the guidance in “Restrictions and limitations when you sync files and folders” linked from the upload-troubleshooting article.
4. If a specific file still will not sync and you do not need it in the library, move it out of the synced OneDrive/SharePoint folder (for example, to Desktop). After confirming the red cross disappears and everything else is syncing, move the file back and see if it syncs.

The red cross will remain on the top-level folder as long as any item inside that folder has a sync problem, even if most items show as up to date.

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References:

• What do the OneDrive icons mean?
• "Invalid characters" error when you sync files from Windows Explorer to OneDrive
• Troubleshoot file upload issues with OneDrive