OneDrive not syncing

Question

Dear Microsoft Support,

I’m experiencing an ongoing issue with OneDrive on my Windows PC and need assistance restoring normal synchronization.

The problem is as follows:

OneDrive appears to be installed on my computer.

The OneDrive cloud icon is not appearing in the system tray.

When I try to open OneDrive, it shows “Sign in” and remains stuck on “Loading” indefinitely.

Some of the files inside my OneDrive folders are displaying a small brown box icon/overlay on top of the file icons.

I attempted to reset OneDrive using onedrive.exe /reset, but Windows could not initially locate the executable.

I also tried the reset command using the Local AppData path, but Windows could not find OneDrive there either.

Using the OneDrive executable under Program Files allowed the reset process to begin.

After the reset, I received the following error: “We can’t sync your ‘OneDrive’ folder. Sorry, we can’t add your ‘OneDrive’ folder right now.”

Windows then displayed “Set up OneDrive,” but attempting to set it up results in OneDrive remaining stuck on Loading.

I already uninstalled OneDrive, restarted my PC, and installed OneDrive again, but the issue is still the same.

OneDrive currently appears under Installed Apps, but synchronization does not seem to be running.

I have confirmed through OneDrive.com that my account and cloud content are accessible, so the issue appears to be with the OneDrive application or its local configuration on this PC.

Could you please advise me on how to fully repair the OneDrive installation and reconnect my account so synchronization works normally again?

Since I have already uninstalled and reinstalled OneDrive without success, I would also appreciate instructions on whether there are any remaining local configuration files, cached settings, credentials, or OneDrive folders that need to be reset or repaired, and what the brown box icon on the files indicates.

Thank you for your assistance.

Best regards, Wendy

Answer 1

Hi, Wendy Viscaino Crocilla

The endless Loading screen usually means the local OneDrive identity or configuration remains corrupted after reinstallation. The brown overlay is generally a stale File Explorer status caused by OneDrive not being properly connected, rather than proof that the cloud files are damaged.

Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try: 

Close OneDrive completely in Task Manager, including every OneDrive.exe process.

Open Credential Manager > Windows Credentials and remove entries containing OneDrive Cached Credential.

Press Windows key + R, open %localappdata%\Microsoft, then rename the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders by adding .old to their names. These folders will be recreated automatically.

Open Registry Editor, back up the registry, then rename HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive to OneDrive.old. Restart Windows and open OneDrive again. This has resolved the same persistent Loading behavior after reset and reinstall.

Disclaimer: Generally, modifying registry subkeys or work group is intended for advanced users, administrators, and IT Professionals. It can help fix some problems, however, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For further protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click How to back up and restore the registry in Windows - Microsoft Support to view the article.  

During setup, select Choose new folder and use an empty folder instead of the existing OneDrive folder. After synchronization starts normally, compare the old local folder with OneDrive.com before removing anything.

Do not delete the existing local folder until all cloud files have been verified.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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Answer 2

The behavior points to a local OneDrive app or configuration problem on the PC rather than an account problem, since OneDrive on the web is accessible.

Try this repair path in order:

1. Reset OneDrive again using the installed app path.
   • Press Windows key + R.
   • Run: C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
   • If Windows cannot find that path, try: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
   • Then manually restart OneDrive: open Start, type OneDrive, and launch the OneDrive desktop app.
   • A reset does not delete files, but it disconnects sync connections and OneDrive performs a full sync again.
2. Check whether OneDrive is blocked from starting by policy.
   • This is relevant because OneDrive is stuck on loading and the tray icon is missing.
   • Open the registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive
   • Check DisableFileSyncNGSC.
   • For OneDrive to start, that value must be removed or set to 0.
   • Warning: editing the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems. Back up the registry first.
   • If the value is enforced by Group Policy, the policy must be removed or it will return after restart or sign-in.
3. Check for hidden or temporary files in the OneDrive folder.
   • Hidden or temporary files can make files appear to be syncing incorrectly.
   • In File Explorer, show hidden files and folders.
   • Remove hidden files and folders that are not associated with files currently being edited.
   • If temporary Office files are involved, close open Office files and clear the Office document cache.
   • If a file is not temporary and cannot be removed safely, move it out of the OneDrive folder and check whether sync behavior changes.
   • Warning: deleting temporary Office files can cause data loss if the files are still needed.
4. If files are stuck on processing changes, check the common causes.
   • Close any OneDrive file that is still open.
   • If a large upload is in progress, allow time for sync to complete.
   • If very large files such as ZIP archives, videos, or Outlook PST/OST files are in OneDrive, move them out of the OneDrive folder or stop syncing folders that contain them.
   • If OneDrive is not signed in, sign in again.
5. If the app still does not recover, stop and reestablish sync.
   • Right-click the OneDrive icon in the notification area. If it is hidden, use Show hidden icons.
   • Select Stop syncing a folder…
   • Choose the folder and select Stop syncing.
   • Confirm with Yes and OK.
   • Then set up sync again.
   • Stopping sync disconnects the folder from the library, but files remain on the PC. When syncing is started again, OneDrive may create a new folder name with a number suffix.
6. If the tray icon still does not appear after reset and reinstall, use the OneDrive sync troubleshooter or unlink/relink.
   • The documented next steps for persistent sync issues are to try unlinking and relinking the account or start the guided troubleshooter.

About the brown box overlay:

• The available context does not define that specific brown box icon.
• What is supported is that hidden or temporary files, file locks, or incorrect cached status in Windows Search can cause misleading sync overlays or files to appear as if they are still syncing.

Because uninstall and reinstall already did not help, the most relevant next checks are:

• confirm the app starts after a reset from Program Files,
• verify DisableFileSyncNGSC is not blocking startup,
• inspect the local OneDrive folder for hidden or temporary files,
• then unlink/relink or use the troubleshooter if the app still hangs on loading.

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References:

• Reset OneDrive
• OneDrive won't start
• The OneDrive sync status icon incorrectly shows "syncing" in File Explorer
• Troubleshoot OneDrive Sync Issues: Stuck on "Processing Changes"
• Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school
• Fix OneDrive sync problems