One drive files disappearing, not synching

Question

we use onedrive to backup our files at work so we can go home and access them. This has worked great for the past few years. Over the past week folders were moved, that we didn't move. Files have been deleted that we didn't delete and files that were changed at work are now not changed when we get home. The only changes made have been windows updates. I don't know what's going on.

Please advise

Answer 1

Dear @Pamela Fortunato,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft 365 Q&A Forum Community Support team. I sincerely empathize with the frustration caused by files disappearing or failing to sync between your office and home, especially when you rely on this workflow daily. 

I have investigated your report, and your observation regarding recent Windows updates was spot on. I can confirm that this behavior is related to a recognized service incident tracked under issue title: "Apps might become unresponsive when saving files to cloud-backed storage" 

The issue originated from Windows updates released on January 13, 2026 (KB5074109). It caused applications to become unresponsive or experience "unexpected errors" when saving or opening files on cloud-backed storage like OneDrive. This explains the sync discrepancies and folder movement you observed. 

Microsoft released a specific resolution on January 24, 2026, via update KB5078127. 

Please go to Settings > Windows Update on your devices and select Check for updates to install the latest fixes. This should restore normal sync behavior immediately. 

Please understand that as a Community Support Moderator, I provide guidance, technical documentation, and status updates based on official Microsoft health reports. I do not have the direct technical permissions to modify your cloud data or adjust the backend software code. 

Next Steps for you: If the issue persists after installing the update, I highly recommend contacting your company’s IT Administrator. They can access the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to: 

1. View the full history of your issue under Health > Windows release health. 
2. Report your specific case directly to Microsoft engineers if your files are still not syncing correctly. 
3. Open a formal support ticket to investigate any potential data loss. 

I will continue to monitor the status of this incident and will provide an update as soon as the service is officially declared healthy.  

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Answer 2

It sounds like you're experiencing several issues with OneDrive, including files disappearing, folders being moved, and sync problems. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot these issues:

1. Check for Conflicts: Sometimes, conflicts can occur between local and server copies of files. Look for any sync error notifications in the OneDrive icon in your system tray. If you see an error, right-click the OneDrive icon and select Resolve to see your options.
2. Clear Cached Files: The Microsoft Office Upload Center can sometimes affect OneDrive syncing. Clear the cached files by right-clicking the Upload Center icon in your taskbar, selecting Settings, and then choosing Delete cached files.
3. Check for Hidden or Temporary Files: Hidden and temporary files can also cause syncing issues. Make sure there are no hidden files in your OneDrive folder that could be affecting the sync status. You can show hidden files in File Explorer and remove any unnecessary ones.
4. Resync Libraries: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider stopping and resyncing your libraries. This can help refresh the connection between your local files and OneDrive.
5. Update OneDrive: Ensure that you are using the latest version of OneDrive for work or school. An outdated version can lead to syncing problems.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to check with your IT department or Microsoft support for further assistance.