Forum Discussion
Multiple synchronizaton issues
Hi,
Synchronization issues across multiple computers.
I am updating spreadsheets and PDF's on one computer, and then try to pick it up on another computer and it is not downloading the most recent copy from the server.
I will double-click the file that is supposedly up to date, and then it downloads/opens a version that is several days old.
Then I try to update again accordingly and then save and then it says "MERGE CONFLICT BLAH BLAH BLAH"
I try downloading a copy from the server to my downloads folder (by logging into OneDrive via web browser), replace it with the existing old file locally and then open it again and try to save and then says "UPLOAD BLOCKED" blah blah blah.
It seems I am in a no-win situation here. I have tried un-linking the machine and then re-downloading all the files but it just does not fetch the most recent version of whatever few recent files I worked on.
I am running into a synchronization nightmare, please advise.
What changed in the last month or so when all these problems are coming up for me? Never had this nonsense before.
Thanks,
Emile
Here are some tips for faster help.
Share your macOS version.
Are you using Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) or an Intel Mac?
Do you have Files On-Demand enabled? (Check OneDrive settings > Settings > Files On-Demand).
Without precise information, one can only guess and I don't think anyone here wants to. That is usually the main reason why no one takes up the topic, as it is time-consuming to even understand in which digital environment the issue arises, or even to suggest a solution.
Nevertheless, here is an attempt to provide some possible solutions that might help you.
Force a Full Sync
Click the OneDrive icon in the Mac menu bar (top right).
Click Help & Settings > Pause Syncing (select “2 hours”).
Quit OneDrive (Command + Q).
Relaunch OneDrive from Applications.
Click Help & Settings > Resume Syncing.
Manually Force a Download (For Urgent Files)
Go to OneDrive Web (onedrive.com) and confirm the latest version is there.
Right-click the file and choose Download.
Save it somewhere safe (e.g., Desktop), then open it outside of OneDrive.
If you must edit it, do NOT save it back to OneDrive yet. We’ll fix syncing first.
Check for Stuck Uploads
Click the OneDrive icon.
Look for any files showing "Processing changes" or errors.
If you see an error, pause syncing, rename the affected file (add _OLD or similar), and try again.
Check OneDrive's File Version History
Sometimes, OneDrive gets stuck serving an older file version.
Go to OneDrive Web.
Right-click the file > Version History.
Restore the most recent version if needed.
IF THE ISSUE PERSISTS (Should be used with caution, possibly back up files beforehand.)
Reset OneDrive Completely
Quit OneDrive (Command + Q).
Open Terminal (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
Run this command to reset OneDrive:
onedrive –reset
Restart your Mac.
Relaunch OneDrive and sign in again.
This forces OneDrive to rebuild its sync database.
Possible Reasons for Recent Problems
Some files stay offline until you open them, leading to old versions appearing.
More aggressive file conflict detection is causing more merge conflicts.
If you updated your Mac, OneDrive might need new permissions.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
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