OneDrive won't sync − How to fix OneDrive sync issues (Mac OS)

If OneDrive doesn't sync, it is possible that it is temporarily blocked by another process running in the background of your operating system, or the connection simply froze on its own. In order to fix this issue, restart your device, a course of action which will restart all the processes and hardware components of your device, among which is the Wi-Fi module. 

A reason for OneDrive not syncing may be that the desktop app itself is frozen. In order to unfreeze it, you will need to restart the OneDrive app.

In order to restart the app, follow the steps below:

1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon, and select Close OneDrive.
2. Reopen the app and check if syncing will work.
   

   

Another common reason for OneDrive sync issues is the Internet connection itself. Temporary downtimes, repair works done by the ISP near your area, the router, and many similar scenarios can cause sync issues.

The most common ways to fix and improve the speed and stability of the Internet connection are:

• Positioning the router closer to the devices where possible;
• Buying a signal booster;
• Buying a stronger router;
• Upgrading the current Internet plan;
• Subscribing to a different provider.
  
  

Feel free to check the following solutions, which can help you resolve issues related to the Internet connection:

- No Internet connection
- Slow internet connection

If your allowed storage limit is 250 GB and you try to sync a 300 GB file, you will fail because you wouldn't have enough storage space. In this case, what you need to do is to reduce the file size.

Some ways to resolve this issue, after you have verified your maximum allowed file-size upload limit includes:

• Compressing files with tools like WinZip, WinRAR, etc. (feel free to check the how to compress a file guide for more information);
• Upgrading the storage capacity via OneDrive;
• Breaking down the big file into smaller files and uploading them in a group.

Maybe the file or the folder is being synced from two different locations at the same time, e.g. from a website and the OneDrive app. Verify that it hasn't been synced already, by logging in to the OneDrive website.

Note: You can try to rename the file or folder, and sync it again.

It is possible that the OneDrive app itself is the reason behind the issue, especially if it's outdated. Outdated apps have trouble communicating with the servers due to compatibility issues.

Check if an update is available in the store, and if it is available, install it. Then, open the app and check if syncing works.

Maybe the reason why there is a sync issue is that the OneDrive app is not running. Maybe you accidentally closed it, or it didn't start when you turned on your computer. 

Check if you can see a cloud icon, which is a clear-cut indicator that the app is running. If it wasn't running, then just open the app and check if syncing works.

Maybe files won't sync to OneDrive because you are out of storage space. If this is the case, then all you need to do is to free up space, in order to resolve sync issues.

If you can't afford to remove the files you have on your OneDrive account, consider upgrading your storage plan to one that offers a greater storage capacity.

If your OneDrive account has over 250 GB of files and other documents, but your device has only 10 GB of free space, syncing won't work. In this case, you need to select all the files on your device that you don't need, and remove them. Alternatively, you can back them up on another storage media (e.g. external hard drive) and move them away off your device.

Note: The Running out of disk space / no space left reveals ways of how to free up space. Check it out.

OneDrive allows for selected folders to be synced, granting you greater control over space management. Maybe the folder and files related to the folder won't sync because you haven't approved the folder to be synced.

Access the Choose folder option found in settings, and make sure that the list of allowed folders matches your preference.

Another reason for sync issues are stuck files that won't sync. They will also cause other files to get stuck, thus paralyzing OneDrive. What you need to do in this case is to cut and paste those files away from a folder OneDrive is allowed to sync, and restart OneDrive. Once you open it again, syncing should resume in normal working order.