How to fix OneDrive/SharePoint Upload issues when the only workaround is restarting your PC?

Question

Hello! We recently started implementing SharePoint in our organization, and synced SharePoint folders to our computers through OneDrive for efficiency. Unfortunately, two of my coworkers are having issues uploading files this way. When they save a file to one of the synced SharePoint folders through OneDrive, it either (a) sits in upload pending mode or (b) says Upload Failed - EXCEPT, we learned that if they reboot/restart their PC, then their files are uploaded automatically, and the rest of us can see their new files on our end. Since constantly rebooting after saving a file is unproductive, we're having them use SharePoint via browser in the meantime. However, I'd like to get this OneDrive syncing issue corrected if possible.
Here are the things we tried:

1. Checking Windows Updates and settings (defragmentation, storage sense)
2. Running Office Updates (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/update-the-onedrive-for-work-or-school-sync-app-49771c73-e7ad-4d26-bff1-50bb12a83817)
3. Resetting OneDrive via the Run dialog (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/reset-onedrive-34701e00-bf7b-42db-b960-84905399050c)

Any ideas on what we should try next?

Answer 1

Dear @Alexis Vigil,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

What you’re seeing, files stuck in Upload pending or Upload failed until a reboot, is a known pattern we’ve seen in the field, and there are a few fixes that typically resolve it without restarting the PC. I’ve ordered the steps so your teammates can try them one by one while waiting for further investigating:

Step 1: Temporarily turn off Files On‑Demand (then turn it back on later)

In OneDrive Settings > Sync & backup, turn Files On‑Demand off. This forces full local copies and often clears uploads stuck on placeholders. You can re‑enable it after the queue clears.

For more detailed instruction and information, please follow the Microsoft Official Guide here: Save disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows

Step 2: Unlink and re‑link the PC

• Click on the OneDrive icon > Settings > Settings > Account > Unlink this PC
• Sign out of the affected user account and log in using another local administrator account.
• Open File Explorer > This PC > Navigate to the affected user’s folder (e.g., C:\Users\abc). Check all subfolders and delete any folders associated with OneDrive.
• Log Back in as the Affected User Account
• Set Up OneDrive Again > Launch OneDrive > Sign in when prompted. A new OneDrive folder will be created > Wait for the sync to complete.

Step 3: Clear Cache

• Press the Windows key + R to open a "Run" dialog.
• Enter the path %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings and select OK.
• Delete the PreSignInSettingsConfig.json file.

Step 4: Uninstall and reinstall

If these workarounds don't resolve the issue, please try to uninstall and reinstall OneDrive: Download for Windows

Step 5: Network & Proxy Check

Test on a different network (e.g., mobile hotspot).

Ensure Microsoft endpoints aren’t blocked by firewall or VPN.

Step 6: Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)

• The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) is a tool designed to help troubleshoot and diagnose issues with various Microsoft applications, including Office, Office 365, Outlook, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, and Skype.
• It works by running tests to identify problems and offers the best solutions for the identified issues. You can download and use the tool to address software problems and even Windows activation issues.
• You can download it here: Enterprise Version of Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

I'm looking forward for your reply.

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Answer 2

Dear @Alexis Vigil,

Thank you for your patience and for switching to SharePoint in the browser so work could continue while we troubleshoot. Therefore, I would make a brief summary of this post so that other forum members could easily find useful information here:  

Issue Description: 

• Files stuck in Upload pending or showing Upload failed.
• Uploads only complete after a full PC reboot.

Solution Completed

1/ Updated Windows and Office, reset OneDrive, cleared cache, reinstalled the OneDrive client, and checked network/proxy.

2/ Also unlinked and re‑linked OneDrive. After that, some folders began showing “Upload blocked.” This typically happens when the Office app account doesn’t match OneDrive (Microsoft documents this behavior for “Upload blocked” saves).

Therefore, I recommend you try these solutions following the Microsoft Official Guide here: "UPLOAD BLOCKED" error when you save OneDrive-synced files in Microsoft 365 apps

If the issue still persists (files remain in Upload pending or show Upload failed until a reboot), at this point, the most effective path is to escalate to Microsoft Support so they can review the OneDrive sync diagnostics and tenant policies with tools we don’t have. Please follow the Microsoft Official Page here:

• Get support - Contact Microsoft Support
• Get support for Microsoft 365 for business

The technical support there has more resources and permission than we do here in the community and then can collect the logs to investigate this issue from the back end and they can also go on remote session with you to navigate your set up. This will be the most efficient way of handling your issue.

Note: Please understand that as forum moderator, I don’t have access to the backend systems to troubleshoot this effectively due to privacy and security constraints. I am just organizing use cases and collecting data, including from you, on a daily basis and will continue to monitor the progress of this issue. 

Current Workaround:

Until Microsoft Support resolves the underlying sync issue, the most reliable way to keep files accessible and up to date is:

• Use SharePoint in the browser for saving and editing files in company folders.
• If you must work locally and upload later:
  • Save files to your local folder.
  • Upload them manually to SharePoint via the browser when finished.

Curren Update:

If any updates or announcements are made regarding this case, I will make sure to share them with you as soon as possible.

Note: Please be reassured that you are not alone, I’ll continue to monitor this case and will reach out to you with any new updates as soon as possible.

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.

If you have any further questions or stuck on any step, please feel free to reach out. I'm looking forward for your reply.

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Answer 3

Hey Alexis,

Here is what you can do on the problematic machines one at a time.

Click Settings --> Account --> Unlink this PC

Now login with another local admin account

Once done --> Open File Explorer --> This PC --> C: --> Users --> Go to the affected user --> e.g. C:\users\abc --> Then check all the folders and delete all the folders which show as One Drive.

Now login with the affected user --> Launch one drive --> It will ask you to sign in and this time it will create a new one drive folder.

Wait for the sync to be completed.

Now try to delete. See if it works.

Let me know if you have any issues.