My one drive does not sync with my other computer

Question

My one drive on my laptop does not sync with my office desktop

Answer 1

Hello Victor,

Try this troubleshooting steps

1. Verify Account and Sign-In

Same Account on Both Devices: Ensure that both your laptop and office desktop are signed in with the same OneDrive account. It’s not uncommon to have multiple accounts and accidentally use a different one.

License and Storage Check: Confirm that your account is active and has sufficient storage available. A nearly full OneDrive can stop syncing new files.

2. Check Network and Connectivity

Stable Internet Connection: Make sure both devices have a stable internet connection. If one of the devices is on a restricted or metered network, syncing might be paused or delayed.

Firewall/Antivirus Settings: Check if your firewall or antivirus settings could be interfering with OneDrive’s connectivity. Temporarily disabling them (if safe) can help you isolate this issue.

3. Examine OneDrive App Status

Review the OneDrive Icon: Look at the OneDrive icon in your system tray (notification area).

A blue cloud with arrows indicates things are syncing properly.

  A red "x" or a paused icon may indicate an error.
  
  **Click the OneDrive Icon**: This often reveals more details about the syncing status, error messages, or specific files that might be causing issues.
  

4. Check Folder Settings and File Locations

Correct Folder Initialization: Ensure that the files you expect to sync are saved in your local OneDrive folder. Sometimes users inadvertently save files outside this folder.

File Naming Conventions: Check that your folder and file names don’t include any unsupported characters (e.g., *, :, <, >, ?, /, \, |). Such names can block the sync process.

File Size and Type Restrictions: Verify that your files are within OneDrive’s allowed sizes and supported types.

5. Force a Manual Sync

Right-Click Refresh: Sometimes, initiating a manual sync can jump-start the process. Right-click the OneDrive icon and select "Sync now" or "Resume syncing" if available.

Restart OneDrive: Consider closing OneDrive completely (right-click the icon and select Exit) and restarting it. This can help clear temporary issues.

6. Reset OneDrive (If Needed)

If you suspect the issue might be due to a mismatch or a stuck state, resetting OneDrive can often help:

Exit OneDrive: Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and choose Exit.

Run the Reset Command:

Press Windows + R, type:

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

and press Enter.

  (Note: On some systems, you might need to run this command from Command Prompt as Administrator.)
  
  **Restart OneDrive**: If it doesn’t restart automatically after a minute or so, manually start it from the Start Menu or by running:
  
  ```yaml
  %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe
  ```
  

7. Update OneDrive

Check for Latest Version: Ensure that both devices are running the most updated version of OneDrive. Sometimes, bugs are fixed in newer releases that could be affecting the sync.

Windows Update: Running Windows Update can also ensure that all OneDrive components are up to date.

8. Advanced Troubleshooting

If issues persist after a reset:

• Check Sync Conflicts: Look for any files that may be causing conflicts. OneDrive might create duplicate files (with names like "filename-conflict") if it detects issues.
• Log Out and Back In: Sign out from OneDrive entirely and then sign back in. This forces the app to refresh its connection to the cloud.
• Review Event Logs: For a deeper dive, check Windows Event Viewer for any OneDrive-related warnings or errors.
  1. Verify Account and Sign-In
  • Same Account on Both Devices: Ensure that both your laptop and office desktop are signed in with the same OneDrive account. It’s not uncommon to have multiple accounts and accidentally use a different one.
  • License and Storage Check: Confirm that your account is active and has sufficient storage available. A nearly full OneDrive can stop syncing new files.
  2. Check Network and Connectivity
  • Stable Internet Connection: Make sure both devices have a stable internet connection. If one of the devices is on a restricted or metered network, syncing might be paused or delayed.
  • Firewall/Antivirus Settings: Check if your firewall or antivirus settings could be interfering with OneDrive’s connectivity. Temporarily disabling them (if safe) can help you isolate this issue.
  3. Examine OneDrive App Status
  • Review the OneDrive Icon: Look at the OneDrive icon in your system tray (notification area).
    • A blue cloud with arrows indicates things are syncing properly.
    • A red "x" or a paused icon may indicate an error.
  • Click the OneDrive Icon: This often reveals more details about the syncing status, error messages, or specific files that might be causing issues.
  4. Check Folder Settings and File Locations
  • Correct Folder Initialization: Ensure that the files you expect to sync are saved in your local OneDrive folder. Sometimes users inadvertently save files outside this folder.
  • File Naming Conventions: Check that your folder and file names don’t include any unsupported characters (e.g., *, :, <, >, ?, /, \, |). Such names can block the sync process.
  • File Size and Type Restrictions: Verify that your files are within OneDrive’s allowed sizes and supported types.
  5. Force a Manual Sync
  • Right-Click Refresh: Sometimes, initiating a manual sync can jump-start the process. Right-click the OneDrive icon and select "Sync now" or "Resume syncing" if available.
  • Restart OneDrive: Consider closing OneDrive completely (right-click the icon and select Exit) and restarting it. This can help clear temporary issues.
  6. Reset OneDrive (If Needed)
  If you suspect the issue might be due to a mismatch or a stuck state, resetting OneDrive can often help:
  1. Exit OneDrive: Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and choose Exit.
  2. Run the Reset Command:
     • Press Windows + R, type:

               %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
       

       and press Enter.
     • (Note: On some systems, you might need to run this command from Command Prompt as Administrator.)
  3. Restart OneDrive: If it doesn’t restart automatically after a minute or so, manually start it from the Start Menu or by running:

          %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe
     

  4. Update OneDrive
  • Check for Latest Version: Ensure that both devices are running the most updated version of OneDrive. Sometimes, bugs are fixed in newer releases that could be affecting the sync.
  • Windows Update: Running Windows Update can also ensure that all OneDrive components are up to date.
  8. Advanced Troubleshooting
  If issues persist after a reset:
  • Check Sync Conflicts: Look for any files that may be causing conflicts. OneDrive might create duplicate files (with names like "filename-conflict") if it detects issues.
  • Log Out and Back In: Sign out from OneDrive entirely and then sign back in. This forces the app to refresh its connection to the cloud.
  • Review Event Logs: For a deeper dive, check Windows Event Viewer for any OneDrive-related warnings or errors.

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