Local OneDrive does not seem to be syncing

Hi BrianDoc770​ ,

This usually points to leftover local state or something blocking OneDrive from creating its folder, not a problem with her account or data. I haven’t seen this exact error tied to a single documented cause, so here is what I’d try, in order:

1. Confirm her data is safe first. Check that everything is on OneDrive on the web before deleting or moving anything locally, especially the folder renamed to “old”. If that folder still contains files marked as online-only, treat it carefully.
2. Check for policy or Known Folder Move settings. Look in the registry under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive for any policy that sets the folder location or restricts the sync client. Also check Intune/MDM policies, because they won’t show in a standard Group Policy report. A policy pointing to a path that doesn’t exist or can’t be written will cause exactly this error.
3. Check the destination folder.
   • It must be on a local NTFS drive (not removable or a network share).
   • The user needs full control of her profile folder.
   • Make sure no leftover folder or junction with the same name still exists, including hidden ones.
   • Check the path length isn’t too long.
4. Clear the per-user OneDrive state, not just reset. Unlink the account in OneDrive settings if it lets you, and close OneDrive completely. Then rename the OneDrive folder under %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive (the settings folder) and remove the stale account entry under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive\Accounts. Then uninstall OneDrive, install the latest version from Microsoft, and sign in again.
5. Check the Cloud Files filter driver. Files On-Demand depends on the Windows Cloud Files Filter driver (cldflt). If it’s disabled or broken, OneDrive can fail to create its folder. Also test with any third-party antivirus or endpoint protection temporarily paused or excluded, as these often interfere.
6. Isolate the problem. Sign in with a different Windows user on the same PC. If it works, the problem is in her profile. If it fails, it’s machine-wide (policy, driver or security software). Testing with a different OneDrive account helps too.
7. Repair Windows components if needed. Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in an elevated prompt.
8. Collect logs if it still fails. The OneDrive logs under %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\logs and the Application log in Event Viewer usually show the real error code behind the generic message. If you post that code, we can narrow it down quickly.

If nothing works, creating a new Windows profile for her and signing in there is a reliable last resort, since all her files are safe on the web.

Hope this helps.

The web account works, but the desktop client cannot finish adding its local OneDrive folder, and resetting it has already failed. That separates this from simply waiting for files to upload, although it does not identify the cause. Preserve the renamed old folder, especially files that never reached the web; do not delete it during troubleshooting. Confirm the desktop sync app is current, restart it, and sign in using the same personal or work/school account that opens the expected web library. If an old account remains linked, use Microsoft’s supported unlink/relink procedure instead of repeatedly renaming folders. Test connectivity through another trusted network without disabling security protections. For an organizational account, ask IT to check service health, sign-in failures, and OneDrive tenant allow/block policies, which can prevent an account being added. Give support the exact error, client version, account type, and failure time; another reset is not a guaranteed fix