How to Fix OneDrive Not Syncing with SharePoint (12 Solutions)

If you’ve ever faced the issue of OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint, you’ll understand how irritating it can be, especially when you have to delay all your tasks to handle this problem. Both OneDrive and SharePoint are critical tools for seamless collaboration and document management in a work environment. When these tools fail to sync, it can hinder productivity and efficiency. This article will guide you through proven solutions to fix this issue.

TL;DR?

Not enough time for a full read? Here’s a rundown of the common causes and solutions to resolve the OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint problem.

Understanding How OneDrive and SharePoint Sync

When OneDrive and SharePoint sync properly, changes made to files in either platform get automatically updated in the other. However, there may be times when you notice that changes made in OneDrive aren’t reflected in SharePoint, or vice versa – a clear sign of OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint.

There are several reasons why this problem might occur, such as outdated versions of OneDrive or SharePoint, poor internet connectivity, insufficient storage space on your device, or incorrect user permissions.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Repair OneDrive Not Syncing with SharePoint

1. Update OneDrive and SharePoint

Microsoft regularly releases updates for OneDrive and SharePoint to fix bugs and improve performance. If you are experiencing problems syncing OneDrive with SharePoint, it is possible that the issue is caused by an outdated version of either software. Updating to the latest versions of both OneDrive and SharePoint can often resolve sync problems.

Follow these steps to update OneDrive:

1. Open the OneDrive app.
2. Click the settings gear icon.
3. Click Check for updates.

Follow these steps to update SharePoint:

1. Open a web browser and go to the SharePoint site.
2. Click on the gear icon in the top right corner.
3. Click on Check for updates.

If updates are available, install them and then try syncing OneDrive with SharePoint again. This may resolve the problem.

2. Restart your computer

Turning your PC off and turning it on again can fix OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint by clearing up any temporary glitches or errors preventing the sync. This action can also refresh the OneDrive sync client and free up system resources.

Here are the steps on how to restart your computer:

1. On your keyboard, press Windows+X at the same time.
2. Select Shut down or Sign out.
3. Select Restart.

3. Check your internet connection

OneDrive and SharePoint are both cloud-based services, which means they rely on an internet connection to sync files. If your internet connection is unstable or slow, it can prevent OneDrive from syncing with SharePoint.

To check your internet connection, you can try the following:

• Run a speed test: Many websites offer free speed tests, such as Fast and Speedtest. You can run a speed test to see how fast your internet connection is.
• Check your network settings: Make sure that your network settings are correct. You can check your network settings by going to the Control Panel and opening the Network and Sharing Center.
• Restart your router: Rebooting your router can often resolve Wi-Fi problems.

4. Clear OneDrive cache

OneDrive stores some of its data in cache files on your computer. If these cache files are outdated or become corrupted, it can prevent OneDrive from syncing correctly. Emptying the cache files can help to resolve this issue.

Here are the steps on how to clear OneDrive cache:

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows+R.
2. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter.
3. OneDrive will close and then restart. Once restarted, check to see if the sync problem is resolved.

5. Check file size and type limitations

OneDrive and SharePoint have a maximum file size limit of 250Gb per file. The sync operation will fail if you try to sync a file larger than this limit.

Additionally, certain file types are unsupported or have limitations when synced between OneDrive and SharePoint. For example, Outlook PST and OneNote files not already stored in OneDrive or SharePoint can’t be synced. If you try to sync unsupported file types, the sync operation may fail.

Here’s how to check the file size and type limitations for OneDrive:

1. Open the OneDrive app.
2. Click the settings gear icon.
3. Click Help & feedback and select Troubleshoot.
4. In the troubleshooter, click File size and type limitations.

Follow these steps to verify file size and type restrictions for SharePoint:

1. Open a web browser and go to the SharePoint site.
2. Click the gear icon in the top right corner.
3. Click Settings.
4. Click Advanced.
5. Scroll down to the File size and type limitations section.

If you are trying to sync a file that is larger than the file size limitation or is not a supported file type, you will need to either reduce the size of the file or convert the file to a supported file type.

6. Check files for invalid characters or file names

OneDrive and SharePoint have limitations regarding invalid characters and file names, including file paths exceeding 400 characters. If files you try to sync contain invalid characters such as ” * : < > ? / \ |, a file path over 400 characters or file or folder names such as .lock, CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, COM0 – COM9, LPT0 – LPT9, _vti_ or desktop.ini, you might encounter the OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint issue.

Check out this Microsoft support page for more information on restrictions and limitations.

7. Resolve file conflicts

When multiple individuals have access to the same files in a collaborative platform like OneDrive or SharePoint, there is a chance that two or more users might attempt to modify the same file simultaneously. In this situation, a conflict can occur, disrupting the synchronization process. The system struggles to determine which changes to save and which document version is the most current.

When a conflict occurs, OneDrive or SharePoint typically creates a “conflicted copy” of the file. This will have a similar name to the original but with the user’s name and a timestamp appended to the file name to differentiate it.

Here’s how to resolve file conflicts and fix OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint:

1. Identify the conflicted copies: Look for files with your username and a timestamp in the filename. These are likely the conflicted copies created when a sync conflict occurred.
2. Review changes: Open the conflicted copy and the original file to review the changes made in each file. If applicable, you might need to consult with the person who made the changes to the other copy.
3. Merge changes: If both document versions contain important changes, you might need to manually combine the changes into a single document. This process will depend on the type of file and the nature of the changes.
4. Save and delete: After creating a merged version of the file with the necessary changes, save this as the main version of the document. These can be deleted after making sure you don’t need the conflicted copies anymore.
5. Re-sync: After resolving the conflict, let OneDrive or SharePoint attempt to sync again. The sync process should now be successful, as the conflict causing the disruption has been resolved.

To avoid such conflicts in the future, consider using the co-authoring feature offered by Microsoft Office tools. This allows multiple users to work on a document simultaneously, merging changes automatically in real time.

8. Reset the OneDrive sync client

Resetting the OneDrive sync client can handle several underlying issues that may cause the OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint problem, such as clearing any errors or corruption that may have accumulated in the sync client, re-establishing the connection between OneDrive and SharePoint, and resetting sync settings to default.

To reset the OneDrive sync client, you can follow these steps:

1. Close all open instances of the OneDrive app.
2. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter.
4. OneDrive will close and then restart, so try syncing your files again.

9. Repair corrupted files

OneDrive uses a file synchronization protocol that relies on the integrity of the files being synced. If a file is corrupted, it can cause the OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint problem. This can lead to errors, such as the file not syncing at all, or the file syncing incorrectly.

Repairing corrupted files can fix OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint because it can restore the integrity of the files. This allows OneDrive to sync the files correctly and resolve the errors.

Here’s how to use OneDrive’s built-in repair tool:

1. Open the OneDrive app.
2. Click the settings gear icon.
3. Click Help & feedback and select Troubleshoot.
4. In the troubleshooter, click Repair corrupted files and follow the on-screen prompts.

10. Repair Office installation

The Office suite installation can sometimes get corrupted due to software clashes, system updates or other technical issues. This can lead to several problems, including OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint.

To repair the Office installation:

1. Navigate to the Control Panel on your Windows PC.
2. Select Programs and Features.
3. Scroll down and right-click on your Microsoft Office product, then click Change.
4. A dialogue box will open. Select Quick Repair or Online Repair.
   • Quick Repair fixes most issues quickly but uses your existing Office installation files.
   • Online Repair takes longer but will reinstall Office entirely, resolving more problems.
   • Running either repair process will fix any corrupted files within the Office suite, which may resolve the syncing issue.

11. Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) is a tool developed by Microsoft to troubleshoot and fix issues with various Microsoft products, including OneDrive and SharePoint. SaRA can automate many complex troubleshooting steps, which could potentially solve the sync issue.

Here’s how to use SaRA to fix OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint:

1. Download SaRA from the official Microsoft website and install it.
2. Launch SaRA and select OneDrive.
3. SaRA will ask you a series of questions about the specific issue you’re experiencing and might also perform some diagnostic tests. Follow the instructions provided by the tool to fix the issue.

12. Restore OneDrive files to a previous version

OneDrive keeps versions of your files for 30 days. If a recent change or update to OneDrive or SharePoint is causing the sync issue, you can try restoring OneDrive to a previous version.

To restore a OneDrive file to a previous version:

1. Right-click on the file in OneDrive.
2. Click Version history.
3. A pane will appear on the right side showing the file’s version history. Click on the ellipsis (…) next to the version you want to restore and click Restore. This will replace the current version of the file with the previous version.

Conclusion

To review, the issue of OneDrive not syncing with SharePoint can be a nuisance, but the steps outlined above should help you troubleshoot and fix the problem. If you’re keen to explore further about this software application’s features and its overall performance, consider checking out our Microsoft OneDrive review.