Microsoft 365 features that help users manage their subscriptions, account settings, and billing information.
For the one PC that is lagging, use this troubleshooting path:
- Check that OneDrive is fully running and not paused.
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
- If sync is paused, select More > Resume syncing.
- Expected result: status returns to normal syncing instead of delayed upload/download.
- Pause and resume sync once.
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon.
- Select More > Pause syncing... and choose a time.
- Then select More > Resume syncing.
- This can help when sync is stuck or processing slowly.
- Check whether that PC is syncing too many files.
- Open File Explorer.
- Right-click the OneDrive folder and select Properties.
- If the Contains count is over 300,000 files, sync can take a long time and cause lag.
- If so, reduce the number of files being synced on that PC.
- Check for file or folder issues that can keep sync from finishing.
Common causes include:
- file size limits
- invalid characters in file or folder names
- broken links inside files
- not enough local disk space
- path length limits
- Expected result: after the problematic file is corrected, sync should complete normally.
- If the problem is with shared notebooks in OneNote on that PC, force a manual sync.
- In OneNote, go to File > Info > View Sync Status.
- Select Sync All or Sync Now for the affected notebook.
- Make sure Microsoft 365 apps on that PC are up to date.
- Installing available Office updates is a recommended first step for sync issues.
- If the issue is only that one family member still shows 5 GB instead of 1 TB OneDrive storage after accepting sharing, verify the invitation was accepted and wait up to 2 hours, then go to Manage storage and Refresh.
- If that PC still uploads and downloads only after a delay, the practical workaround is to avoid relying on that device for real-time collaboration until sync is stable. Real-time collaboration depends on the file being properly synced through OneDrive.
If the issue continues after these steps, use Contact us at the bottom of the Microsoft support page.