Reasons for OneDrive Sync Issues on Windows 11 and How to Fix Them

OneDrive is one of Microsoft's most popular cloud storage services, allowing users to share and synchronize files across multiple devices. It offers 5 GB of free cloud storage and also provides various paid storage plans, such as 100 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, and more. After downloading, it sets up a local folder on your device, which automatically syncs its contents with the OneDrive cloud.

However, some users have encountered issues with OneDrive not syncing on their computers while using Windows 11, as their files seem to be not showing online in OneDrive. If you're experiencing this, don't worry; this guide will explain the reasons and show you how to fix the problem of OneDrive not syncing on Windows 11. Keep reading to find your solution.

[[1] Cause] Reasons for OneDrive Sync Issues on Windows 11

There are a few reasons why your files might not be syncing in Windows 11:

• Inconsistent or disconnected internet connection: Your internet connection on your computer is unstable or disconnected.
• OneDrive storage quota exceeded: You have exceeded your OneDrive storage limit.
• File name contains unsupported characters: OneDrive doesn't sync files with special characters in their names, including <, :, ", |, ?, *, /, \, and others.
• Limited device storage: Your computer's storage space is full.
• Battery Saver mode in Windows 11: OneDrive will stop syncing when the battery is low.

All these issues can lead to OneDrive not syncing on Windows 11, so if you encountered any of them, continue reading to find a solution.

OneDrive Files Not Showing on Another Computer

You may encounter issues like OneDrive files not showing on another computer. Learn the reasons behind it and seven simple solutions to fix it with OneDrive.

[Fixed] How to Fix OneDrive Not Syncing Issue on Windows 11

• Solution 1: Check your network connection
• Solution 2: Restart the OneDrive app
• Solution 3: Buy more OneDrive storage
• Solution 4: Reset OneDrive
• Solution 5: Disable Battery Saver mode
• Solution 6: Remove unsupported characters from file names
• Solution 7: Uninstall and reinstall the OneDrive app

Solution 1: Check your internet connection

If you have a poor or unstable internet connection, OneDrive may sync slowly or stop altogether on Windows 11. To ensure your device has a proper network connection, you can check and reconnect to the internet. Here's how: 1. **Check Internet Connection**: - Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (near the clock) to view available networks. - Make sure you're connected to the correct network, and if not, select it and enter the password. 2. **Restart Your Router/Modem**: - Unplug your router or modem from the power source. - Wait for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. - Wait for it to fully boot up before proceeding. 3. **Refresh Network Settings**: - Press `Win + I` to open Settings. - Click on `Network & Internet`. - On the left pane, select `Status`. - Click on `Network reset` under the "Advanced network settings" section. - Confirm the reset when prompted; this will restart your PC. 4. **Run Network Troubleshooter**: - In the `Network & Internet` settings, click on `Troubleshoot` in the left pane. - Select `Internet Connections`, then click `Run the troubleshooter`. - Follow the on-screen instructions to diagnose and fix issues. 5. **Restart Your Device**: - Shut down your computer completely. - Wait a few moments, then turn it back on. 6. **Check OneDrive Settings**: - Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and choose `Settings`. - Go to the `Account` tab and ensure `Save space and download files as you use them` is checked. - If you want to prioritize syncing, go to the `Sync settings` tab and select `Sync all files and folders in this OneDrive`. After trying these steps, OneDrive should sync normally on your Windows 11 device. If the issue persists, consider reaching out to your internet service provider or Microsoft support for further assistance.

• Restart your router or modem.
• Make sure your firewall isn't blocking OneDrive.
• If possible, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network.

Related reads: Dropbox not syncing on Windows 11 | Google Drive not syncing on Windows 10

Solution 2: Restart the OneDrive app

You can also try closing and restarting the OneDrive app, which can resolve most OneDrive errors on Windows 11. Here's how:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the bottom right corner of your desktop; 2. Click the Settings icon in the upper right corner, then choose "Exit OneDrive" from the pop-up menu; 3. A window will appear asking if you're sure you want to close OneDrive. Click "Close OneDrive"; 4. Double-click the OneDrive application icon on your desktop to restart it and check if file syncing is now working.

Solution 3: Purchase More OneDrive Storage Space If you've exhausted your free OneDrive storage, consider purchasing additional space. Microsoft offers various paid plans to cater to different user needs. Follow these steps: 1. Sign in to your OneDrive account: Visit the [OneDrive website](https://onedrive.live.com/), and log in using your Microsoft account credentials. 2. Go to "Settings": Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner and select "OneDrive settings." 3. Choose the "Account" tab: In the settings window, locate the "Account" section. 4. Expand your storage: In the "Storage" area, you'll see a "Manage storage" or "Upgrade" button. Click it, and then follow the wizard to select a suitable paid storage plan. 5. Complete the purchase: Enter your payment information as prompted on-screen and confirm the purchase. Once completed, your OneDrive storage will be increased immediately. Please note that prices and available plans may vary depending on your region and promotional offers. Be sure to check the current pricing and options before making a purchase.

OneDrive comes with 5 GB of free cloud storage, and you can purchase additional OneDrive storage plans if you need more space. If you exceed your OneDrive storage quota, it will stop syncing.

To fix this, you'll need to move some files to free up space, or get more OneDrive storage.

Solution 4: Reset OneDrive

Resetting OneDrive is a way to restore it to a previous working state. You can try resetting it to resolve issues with OneDrive not syncing on Windows 11. Here's how to do it on Windows 11: 1. **Open File Explorer**: Click on the folder icon in the taskbar or press `Win + E` to launch File Explorer. 2. **Access OneDrive Settings**: In File Explorer, navigate to `This PC` and locate the OneDrive folder. Right-click on the OneDrive icon and select `OneDrive settings` from the context menu. 3. **Unlink OneDrive**: In the OneDrive window that opens, click on the `Settings` button at the bottom left corner. Then, in the OneDrive Settings dialog, go to the `Account` tab and click on `Unlink this PC`. 4. **Close and Restart OneDrive**: After unlinking, close the OneDrive window and any instances of the OneDrive app running in the background. You can do this by pressing `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager, then right-click on OneDrive processes and choose `End Task`. Make sure all related processes are closed. 5. **Reinstall OneDrive**: To reinstall OneDrive, visit the Microsoft Store by searching for "Microsoft Store" in the Start menu or pressing `Win + S`, then type "OneDrive" in the search bar, and hit Enter. Find OneDrive in the results, click on it, and then click on `Get` or `Install` to reinstall. 6. **Sign in and Sync**: Once the reinstallation is complete, open OneDrive again, sign in with your Microsoft account, and follow the setup process. This should start the sync process afresh. If the issue persists after resetting and reinstalling OneDrive, there might be other factors at play, such as network connectivity problems, conflicting apps, or incorrect settings. In such cases, you may need to troubleshoot further or seek additional support.

Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to open the "Run" dialog box. Type "%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset" in the text field, then click "OK." After that, wait for the reset process to finish.

Solution 5: Turn Off Low Power Mode

If your computer has very low battery, it might automatically stop syncing to save power. If this happens, you can turn off Low Power Mode:

Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar. Click the gear icon, then select Settings. Find and uncheck the option that says "Pause syncing when this device is in power-saving mode."

Fix 6: Remove unsupported characters from the file name

As we mentioned in the Reasons section, these special characters are not allowed in file names by OneDrive, so it doesn't sync them to the cloud on Windows 11.

If you use these characters, remove them before uploading.

Solution 7: Uninstall and reinstall the OneDrive app

If none of the above solutions work on your computer, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the latest version of OneDrive on your device. You can do this on Windows 11 by following these steps:

1. Right-click on "Start" and select "Apps & Features"; 2. Find "Microsoft OneDrive" in the list, and click on the three dots next to OneDrive; 3. In the pop-up window, click "Uninstall"; 4. Download and reinstall the latest version of OneDrive from the official website; 5. Afterwards, sign back into OneDrive on your device and check if it can sync files on Windows 11.

We've shown you all the possible solutions to fix OneDrive not syncing on Windows 11. If you're still having issues, it's also a good idea to turn to other ways of saving files to OneDrive without syncing. Keep reading, and we'll introduce you to a OneDrive syncing alternative – backup, to save your files to OneDrive without losing any data.

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【Additional Tip】Backing Up Files to OneDrive Without Synchronization

Indeed, OneDrive Sync does provide a convenient way to save and share files in the cloud. However, as shown in the post, OneDrive sync issues, such as OneDrive not syncing on Windows 11, can cause trouble, affect productivity, and even lead to file loss. To prevent such issues, you can use a professional Windows backup software - Todo Backup tool, to back up your files to OneDrive without any delay.

Rather than syncing, it creates an incremental mirror backup of your files on OneDrive. Once the backup is done, you can forget about it – your OneDrive data will be safe forever.

Todo Backup is a reliable tool for backing up files, disks, systems, and application data, supporting backup to cloud services, including OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive. You can set up scheduled backups, which will automatically back up specified files to the cloud, ensuring your data is safe from loss.

It takes only a few mouse clicks. Here are the simple steps to back up a file to OneDrive:

Tap Select Backup Content to start the backup.

There are four types of backups: files, disk, system, and email.

Step 3: On the left, you'll see a list of local and networked files. Expand the folders to select the ones you want to back up.

File Backup

Step 4: Choose where you want to save your backup, following the on-screen instructions.

Under Backup Options, click Options to encrypt your backup with a password, set up a backup schedule, and choose whether to start a backup on specific events in the Backup Policy. There are various customizable features for you to explore, allowing you to tailor the backup process according to your specific needs.

Step Five: The backup can be stored on a local disk, the tool's cloud service, or a network-attached storage (NAS) device.

Step Six: Todo Backup lets users back up their data to a third-party cloud-storage drive or to the company's own cloud storage.

If you want to back up data to a third-party cloud drive, select “Local Disk,” scroll down, add a cloud device, and enter your account information.

You can also utilize the tool's built-in cloud storage service. Just click on 'Tool Cloud,' sign up with your Tool Account, and then log in to your account.

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Step 7. To kick off a backup, choose Backup Now. Once the backup finishes successfully, it'll show up as a card on the left panel. Give it a right-click for more detailed backup management options.

Bottom line

If your OneDrive isn't syncing on Windows 11, try the above seven solutions to fix this issue. If you're looking for a more reliable way to save your files to OneDrive without data loss, backing up files to OneDrive with a Todo Backup tool is also a good choice. Try it now and keep your OneDrive data safe forever.

Frequently Asked Questions about OneDrive Sync Issues on Windows 11

How do I force OneDrive to sync in Windows 11?

You can force OneDrive to sync on Windows 11 by resetting it, removing unsupported characters from filenames, and reinstalling the OneDrive app.

How to fix OneDrive sync issues in Windows 11? To resolve OneDrive sync issues on Windows 11, try the following steps: 1. **Check your network connection**: Ensure your device is connected to the internet and has a stable connection. 2. **Restart OneDrive**: - Open Task Manager by pressing `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` or right-clicking the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager." - In the "Processes" tab, find Microsoft OneDrive, click it, and choose "End Task." - Wait a few seconds, then restart OneDrive. You can search for it in the Start menu and open it. 3. **Run the OneDrive troubleshooter**: - Press `Win + I` to open Settings. - Go to "Update & Security" > "Troubleshoot." - In the "Additional troubleshooters" section, look for and run "OneDrive." - Follow the wizard's instructions to see if it resolves the issue. 4. **Login and account settings**: - Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar and select "Settings." - Click the "Account" tab and ensure you're signed in with the correct Microsoft account. - If needed, click "Change account" to switch or add an account. 5. **Sync settings**: - In OneDrive settings, go to the "Choose folders" tab. - Make sure the folders you want to sync are checked. If you have issues with a specific folder, try unchecking and re-checking it. 6. **Update OneDrive**: - Visit the Microsoft Store, search for, and update OneDrive to the latest version. 7. **Reset OneDrive**: - In OneDrive settings, go to "Help & Settings" > "Reset." - Note that this will delete local OneDrive cache files but won't affect your data in the cloud. 8. **Run Command Prompt**: - Search for "cmd," run Command Prompt as an administrator. - Type `net stop Onedrive` and press Enter to stop the OneDrive service. - Then type `%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\Update\onedrive.exe /reset` and press Enter to reset OneDrive. - Finally, type `net start Onedrive` and press Enter to start the OneDrive service. If none of these solutions work, consider contacting the Microsoft support team for further assistance.

To resolve OneDrive sync issues on your Windows 11 computer, you can try resetting OneDrive on Windows 11, removing unsupported characters from file names, purchasing more storage, disabling battery saver mode, or reinstalling the OneDrive app on your device.

Why isn't OneDrive working properly on Windows 11?

Issues with OneDrive not functioning properly on Windows 11 can be caused by various errors, such as unsupported characters in file names, insufficient OneDrive storage space, unstable network connections, and more.