Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (2024)

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SharePoint Server 2016 SharePoint Server 2013 Enterprise SharePoint in Microsoft 365 Office for business Microsoft 365 admin OneDrive (work or school) SharePoint admin center More...Less

Sync errors can occur for several reasons with OneDrive for work or school. Many errors can be fixed by using the Repair option in the OneDrive menu that you can see from the taskbar notification area.

Note:This article applies only to the previous OneDrive for work or schoolsync app (groove.exe). In most cases, we recommend that you use the newer OneDrive sync app (onedrive.exe) instead. Which OneDrive app?

Get started by right-clicking the OneDrive menu icon Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (2) in the taskbar notification area, and then clicking View sync problems.

Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (3)

An error dialog box opens that describes any current sync problems and suggests actions you can take to fix them. Sometimes, you might prefer to just clear all sync errors at once, or you might see this error:

“An error occurred while attempting to synchronize this document library”

In either case, you can run Repair instead of trying to fix each sync error one at a time.

Note:There are many reasons why sync might fail. If this method doesn't fix the problem, check out the links in the Still having sync issues? section of this article.

  1. In the taskbar notification area, right-click or press and hold the OneDrive menu icon Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (4), and then click Repair.

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (5)

  2. In the dialog box, click Repair.

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (6)

    Repair reports your progress until all sync connections are reset.

  3. Click Finish.

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (7)

Important:Don’t restart your computer while Repair is running. If you have a timed auto-restart scheduled for your computer, postpone it until you’re sure Repair is finished.

If repairing your sync connection doesn't solve your problem, see "Method 2: Remove your OneDrive cache" in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: “An error occurred while attempting to synchronize this document library” error in OneDrive for Business

Repair does the following:

  • Disconnects all libraries that were experiencing sync problems.

  • Reconnects these libraries. This means Repair downloads and syncs the current server version of each library, as if you were syncing for the first time.

  • Creates an archive copy of any file that had unsynced changes and places these files in a library folder under C:\users\username\OneDrive archives\.

    If you change where your synced folders are stored, the archive folder may be called \OneDrive -- Unsynced Changes\ when viewed in Explorer. At a CMD or DOS prompt, the folder is called ODBA. In that folder, OneDrive creates subfolders with the current date and time as the folder name, such as \2016-02-16 15-03-09\ to store files that can't be synced.

    When Repair runs, it syncs the folder with the files that aren't causing the problems, and moves the other files into the archive. Repair creates these archive copies in case you had updates that couldn’t be synced to the server before you started Repair. This ensures that you don’t lose any local updates. You can compare file versions in the archive library folder with the reconnected folder to make sure you have the version you want.

When you're done with repair, the notification icon that signals sync problems should be clear. If it's not, click the OneDrive notification icon Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (8), click View sync problems. If there are no more issues to fix, click Dismiss in the OneDrive dialog box.

The Repair command appears in the OneDrive menu only if you're experiencing sync errors.

If you're experiencing sync errors but you still don’t see the Repair command, you might need to update the OneDrive sync app.

There can be a number of different reasons why OneDrive fails to sync, from invalid characters in file names to out dated sync apps. Here are some links to help you troubleshoot OneDrive sync issues:

  • See Sync files with OneDrive in Windows for the correct way to set up OneDrive for Business and sync.

  • Sometimes it's better to stop and reestablish the sync connection again. See the following procedures to stop and restart syncing your library.

Before you can repair a sync issue, you need to stop syncing all folders.

When you stop syncing a folder, the folder is disconnected from its library. All files are retained in the previously synced folder. You can sync the library to your computer again at any time. When you start syncing a library again, it will create a new folder on your computer. If it's using the same name, it will add a number to the end, such as 1, 2, and so on.

  1. Right click the OneDrive icon Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (9) in the Windows notification area at the bottom of your screen, and then click Stop syncing a folder…

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (10)

    Note:If the OneDrive icon Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (11) isn't visible, click the Show hidden icons button Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (12) in the notification tray.

  2. Select the folder you want to stop syncing, and then click Stop syncing.

  3. Click Yes to agree to permanently stop syncing the folder, and then click OK.

You can start syncing your library again. When you start syncing a library again, it will create a new folder on your computer. If it's using the same name, it will add a number to the end, such as 1, 2, and so on.

  1. Sign in to Office 365 or your organization's SharePoint site with your work or school account.

  2. Select OneDrive at the top of the page. Or, select the app launcher Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (13), and then select OneDrive.

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (14)

  3. Select the Sync button.

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (15)

    Note:If you don’t see a Sync button, select the Library tab and then select Sync in the Connect & Export group. (You may need to click Settings Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (16) > Show Ribbon to show the Library tab.)
    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (17)

  4. At the prompt, click Sync Now to start the sync app wizard. The wizard automatically fills in the name and web address of your OneDrive.

  5. Select Sync Now in the wizard to start syncing.

    You can click Show my files… in the wizard to open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer. The folder is listed in your Favorites as either OneDrive - CompanyName or as OneDrive @ CompanyName.

    You might see this in File Explorer...

    Or this...

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (18)

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (19)

    When you're opening or saving an Microsoft 365 document, your screen looks similar to this:

    Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (20)

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Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school (2024)

FAQs

Repair sync connections in OneDrive for work or school? ›

To resolve the conflict, right-click or press and hold the OneDrive for Business icon, and then choose Resolve. You will see the options available for your conflict. If a conflict occurred with an Office file type, you should see the following options: Open to Resolve opens the file in a coauthor view.

How do I resolve sync conflicts in OneDrive? ›

To resolve the conflict, right-click or press and hold the OneDrive for Business icon, and then choose Resolve. You will see the options available for your conflict. If a conflict occurred with an Office file type, you should see the following options: Open to Resolve opens the file in a coauthor view.

How do I reset OneDrive sync? ›

To reset the OneDrive desktop sync app in Windows
  1. Press the Windows key and R to open the Run dialog box, enter wsreset.exe, then select OK.
  2. A blank Command Prompt window will open, and after about ten seconds the window will close. ...
  3. If OneDrive is still not syncing, press the Windows key and R again.

How do I merge my OneDrive for home with my OneDrive for work or school? ›

Microsoft OneDrive personal account and a Microsoft 365 work or school account cannot be merged, but they can be used side by side. You may continue to use the two OneDrive accounts side by side, or transfer the files from one account to the other and abandon it. Nothing forces you to use the OneDrive of Microsoft 365.

Why is my OneDrive not syncing with teams? ›

If files stored on your computer aren't syncing with files stored in the Team site, try these options, one at a time to restore the sync. Option 1: Make sure that you are signed in to OneDrive. Option 2: Restart your computer. Option 3: Re-establish the sync.

How do I resolve sync issues? ›

Resolving sync conflicts
  1. Open the Start Menu and select Control Panel. Windows 10. ...
  2. Open Sync Center. Category View. ...
  3. Select View Sync Conflicts from the menu on the left.
  4. Select a conflict from the list.
  5. Click Resolve.
  6. Select file version for sync.

Why does OneDrive always have sync issues? ›

In some cases, the syncing issues are caused by your Microsoft account using OneDrive not being connected to Windows. Open the Settings app (Win + I). Select “Accounts” then “Emails & Accounts.” Look to see if you are signed into a Microsoft account. If not, you can click the button to sign in.

How do I open OneDrive sync settings? ›

Open OneDrive settings (select the OneDrive cloud icon in your notification area, and then select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon then Settings.)

How do I check my OneDrive sync status? ›

Observe the OneDrive icon (the cloud on the right-hand side of your Windows toolbar). This will show as in the image below to indicate it is not syncing. If the OneDrive icon shows as spinning, this indicates it is syncing.

How do I relink OneDrive to my computer? ›

Sign in again to re-link your account
  1. Press the Windows key and type OneDrive.
  2. Select the OneDrive app and sign in when prompted.
  3. When you sign in, OneDrive will prompt you that a folder already exists: select Use this folder. ...
  4. OneDrive will now sync your files and folders back to your computer.

How do I add work or school to OneDrive? ›

Adding a personal or work or school account to OneDrive
  1. Open OneDrive settings (select the OneDrive cloud icon in your notification area, and then select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon then Settings.)
  2. Go to the Account tab.
  3. Select Add an account. Note: You can only have one personal account.

Can I have 2 OneDrive accounts on one computer? ›

If you already have an account signed in to OneDrive and you want to add or remove another account, you'll do that in OneDrive Settings. Important: You can have multiple work or school accounts, but only one personal OneDrive account.

Can I access my work OneDrive from home? ›

When you're constantly on the move, whether working at home or during your commute, saving your files to the cloud in OneDrive for Business lets you access your files from anywhere and on any device. With the Office mobile apps, it's easy to work on files and co-author documents, no matter where you are.

How do I fix Microsoft Teams not connecting? ›

Check your internet connection to make sure it's working by opening a browser and visiting any website. Sign out of Teams by selecting your profile picture at the top right of Teams and then selecting Sign out from the menu options. Once Teams closes, open it again and sign in with your email and password.

How do I sync OneDrive with Teams? ›

Set up syncing
  1. Near the upper left corner of the browser page, select the Microsoft 365 app launcher:
  2. From the menu that opens, select SharePoint or Teams, and then select the site with the files you want to sync.
  3. Select Documents or navigate to the subfolder you want to sync.
  4. Select Sync.

How do I link OneDrive files to Teams? ›

To get a link to a OneDrive file:
  1. Open Microsoft Teams (free).
  2. Tap your profile picture, then select Files.
  3. Tap OneDrive.
  4. Browse to the directory for the file for which you want to get a link. Tip: If you want to preview a file, select the file name to open it. ...
  5. Tap More. next to the file.
  6. Select Copy Link. .

How do I delete conflicts in sync issues? ›

Windows:
  1. Open the 'Sync' folder on your computer.
  2. Search for “-conflict” in the search bar in the top right.
  3. Click 'Home' in the top left.
  4. Click 'Select All' in the top right of the 'Home' menu.
  5. Right-click one of the selected files.
  6. Choose 'Delete' from the pop-up menu.

How do I force OneDrive to sync? ›

Way 1. Force OneDrive Sync via Restart OneDrive
  1. Restart OneDrive Desktop App Manually. Sometimes, restarting can resolve the OneDrive sync issues, and it will restart the OneDrive sync engine, and sync folders correctly. ...
  2. Restart OneDrive using Command Prompt.
Aug 18, 2023

How do I fix error conflict with cloud update? ›

Few users have indicated having similar issue, the profound solution is to delete the Cloud folder in the registry. Go to Edit Registry from your Start Windows and locate the direction below: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Cloud Just delete the Cloud folder, - then reinstall again.

What does sync status files are in conflict mean? ›

A conflict file appears when multiple versions of files or folders attempt to be copied to a single file or folder.

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