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OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11: How to Fix

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the OneDrive not syncing issues on your Windows 11 PC. When it comes to file hosting service providers, then it’s the offering from the Redmond giants that has managed to capture a major share of the userbase. The fact that it comes baked in with the OS plays a major role, that isn’t the only factor. Its slew of nifty features has also played a role in pushing it towards the epitome of this domain. However, in spite of all the goodies attached, it isn’t free from its fair share of issues either.

OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11

As of now, various users have voiced their concern that the app isn’t working along the expected lines in the latest iteration of the OS. For some users, the app icon isn’t visible whereas for others, the issue is even more concerning and they aren’t able to sync any files. If you are also in the same boat, then this guide shall help you out. In this tutorial, we will make you aware of various methods to fix the OneDrive not syncing issues in Windows 11. Follow along.

How to Fix OneDrive Not Syncing in Windows 11

OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11

Do note that there’s no universal fix as such. You will have to try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and see which one works best in your favor. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Restart OneDrive

Your first course of action should be to restart OneDrive. Doing so will refresh its underlying processes and will give them a fresh instance to work upon. This in turn could resolve the sync issues. So let’s put it to the test and check out the results

  1. To begin with, right-click on the OneDrive icon present in the action center.
  2. Then select Close OneDrive from the menu that appears.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  3. After that, head over to the Start Menu, search OneDrive and open it.
  4. Check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issues in Windows 11.

FIX 2: Use Network Troubleshooter

Next up, verify whether the network is working well and good. For that, it’s better to use the built-in tool provided by Microsoft for this very purpose. So refer to the below instructions to test it out:

  1. Bring up the Settings Menu via the Windows+I shortcut keys
  2. Then select System from the left menu bar and go to Troubleshoot.
  3. After that, go to Other Troubleshooters and click Run next to Internet Connections.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  4. The tool will now run and look for network-related issues.
  5. Likewise, it will bring up the associated fixes as well. Just click on a fix to implement it.
  6. Check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issues in Windows 11.

FIX 3: Use OneDrive Troubleshooter

There is a specific troubleshooter for OneDrive developed by Micorosft that scans for issues with this cloud service and subsequently brings up the associate fixes. So let’s give this app a shot and see if it works out in our favor or not [UPDATE: No longer works with Windows February update KB 5010474].

  1. To begin with, download the Troubleshooter app.
  2. Then launch it and let it carry out its scan.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  3. Once done, implement the fix that it recommends.
  4. Check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issues in Windows 11.

FIX 4: Relink your Account

Removing and then relinking your OneDrvie account will refresh its underlying settings and would force restart the sync process. So proceed with the below instruction steps to give it a try:

  1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon present in the action center.
  2. Then go to Settings > Accounts and click on Unlink this PC.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  3. After that, click on Unlink Account in the confirmation dialog box.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  4. Once then, re-sign in with your Microsoft Account.
  5. Check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issues in Windows 11.

FIX 5: Resync Folders

In some instances, the issue might be with the app’s automatic sync functionality. Therefore, you should consider manually syncing all the required files and folders over to the servers. Here’s how it could be done:

  1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon present in the action center.
  2. Then go to Settings > Accounts and click on Choose Folders.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  3. Now uncheck and recheck all the folders that you want to sync and wait for the process to complete.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  4. Once done, see if OneDrive sync issues have been fixed or not on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 6: Disable Battery Saver

If you have put any restrictive battery measures in place, then it might limit most of the background activities. including OneDrive’s ability to carry out the sync. So you should consider disabling the battery saver on your PC and then check out the results.

  1. To do so, click on the Battery icon present in the taskbar.
  2. Then turn off Battery Saver from the menu that appears.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  3. Check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issues in Windows 11.

FIX 7: Add OneDrive to Firewall Whitelist

In some instances, the Firewall might act a little bit overprotective and could red flag the data exchange being taken place between your PC and the Microsoft Servers via OneDrive. So you should consider adding OneDrive to the Firewall’s exclusion list, using the instructions given below:

  1. Launch Windows Defender Firewall from the Start menu.
  2. Then click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  3. After that, click on Change Settings > Allow Another App.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  4. Now navigate to the below location (replace username accordingly), select the OneDrive.exe file, and click Open:
    C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive

    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11

  5. Now click on Add. The app will be added to the exclusion list [make sure to checkmark both the Public and Private sections].
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  6. Once done, check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issues on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 8: Disable Proxy Server

Apart from hiding your actual IP Address and giving you the ability to access geo-restricted contents, a proxy server also acts as a firewall and web filter. However, in some instances, the data packets might not be able to get past these many network layers and instead are lost midway during the exchange process. So to avoid that from happening, you should disable proxy on your PC:

  1. Bring up the Settings menu vis Windows+I shortcut keys.
  2. Then select Network and Internet from the left menu bar and go to Proxy.
  3. After that, click on Use a Proxy Server.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  4. Now turn off the toggle next to it.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  5. Check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issues on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 9: Use Default DNS

Domain Name Server is like a phonebook that stores the IP Address for the websites. Web browsers don’t understand the URL in plain text format, rather they need the website’s associated IP Address, and for that, they look up in the DNS record book.

In this regard, many users might use a third-party DNS such as the one from Google, OpenDNS, or Cloudflare. However, in some instances, they might create an issue or two when it comes to the file syncing process. Therefore, you should consider reverting to the stock DNS, using the instructions given below:

  1. To begin with, head over to the Start Menu, search Control Panel, and open it.
  2. Then change the View by type to Large Icons from the top-right menu and click on Network and Sharing Center.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  3. After that, click on the Change adapter settings option from the left menu bar.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  4. Now right-click on your currently connected network and select Properties.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  5. Scroll to the Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) and double-click on it to open its Properties.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  6. After that, select Obtain DNS Server address automatically.OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  7. Once done, check if the OneDrive not syncing issue in Windows 11 has been fixed or not.

FIX 10: Use Registry Editor Tweak

Some users have voiced their concern that the OneDrive icon is missing from their PC. As a result of which, they aren’t able to access this service. If that is the case with you as well, then the below registry tweak shall help you out.

  1. Search Registry Editor from the Start Menu and open it.
  2. Then copy-paste the below location in its address bar:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive

    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11

  3. Now double click on the DisableFileSyncNGSC from the right-hand side and change its value to 0.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  4. Likewise, also change the value of DisableFileSync to 0.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  5. Once done, the OneDrive icon will be visible once again on your Windows 11 PC.

FIX 11: Check Group Policy Settings

There is a local group policy editor setting that, when enabled, would prevent the files to be uploaded over to OneDrive. What is even more intriguing is there have been a few instances when a third-party app or service seems to have enabled this toggle. So let’s verify that isn’t the case this time around, and if that is the case, then let’s disable that setting right away. Follow along.

  1. To begin with, enable Group Policy Editor on your Windows 11 PC.
  2. Then bring up the Run dialog box via Windows+R shortcut keys.
  3. After that, type in the below command and hit Enter to open Group Policy Editor.
    gpedit.msc
  4. Now go to the following location from the left-hand menu bar:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive

    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11

  5. Now double click on the “Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage” from the right-hand side.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  6. Select Disabled from the top left and then click Apply > OK to save.OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  7. Finally, restart your PC for the policy to be implemented. Check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issue in Windows 11.

FIX 12: Reset OneDrive

If none of the aforementioned methods managed to spell out success for you, then you will have to take the nuclear route of resetting OneDrive. This will revert the app and its settings to its factory default state and could rectify the underlying issue as well.

  1. To begin with, bring up the Run dialog box via the Windows+R shortcut.
  2. Then copy-paste any one of the following three commands, depending on the location where OneDrive is installed on your PC.
  3. If you aren’t sure of the same, you may execute all these commands (one will work while the other two will give out the error message).
    %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
    C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11

  4. Once the app has been reset, relaunch it and sign in with your Microsoft account. Check if it fixes the OneDrive not syncing issue in Windows 11.

FIX 13: Reinstall OneDrive

If the issue persists even after a reset, then the problem is with the app’s configuration and setting files getting corrupted. So the only way out is to completely remove OneDrive from your PC and reinstall its latest build. Here’s how it could be done:

  1. Head over to Start Menu, search OneDrive, and click on the Uninstall button.
  2. It will now take you to Control Panel. Select OneDrive, right-click on it and select Uninstall.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  3. Once the app has been removed, download its latest version from the official site.
  4. Now launch the setup and proceed with the onscreen instructions to install it.
    OneDrive not Syncing in Windows 11
  5. Once done, launch the app and sign in with your Microsoft Account.
  6. That’s it. The underlying issue should now have been resolved.

So with this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the OneDrive not syncing issues on your Windows 11 PC. We have listed thirteen different methods for the same. Do let us know in the comments which one spelled out success for you. Likewise, all your queries are welcomed in the comments section below.

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