Forum Discussion
OneDrive stuck on "getting in sync" icons
Not sure if this is still an issue for some users but I recently had this happen for one of my clients. I realized after some testing that if I renamed one of the folders showing the "Getting in Sync" status, created a new folder, then copied over all the items from that folder, the issue would subside. When I proceeded to delete the original folder, it prompted me if I wanted to remove a temp system file.
This helped me realize that the folders in question that would not sync all had locked/corrupt temp system files (which are hidden by default) and are not meant to sync with the OneDrive Client. This included temp files for word docs, thumbnail/icon database files, etc.
Moving forward I temporarily changed the folder options as follows (Windows 10):
1. In File Explorer > View Tab > Options (All the way to the right)
2. View Tab
3. Select the radio button for "Show hidden files, folders, and drives"
4. Finally uncheck the box that shows "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"
Once that was done, I could browse through each folder and remove all locked/corrupted temp files and the folder would show as synced after that.
Note: Remember to undo the folder options mentioned above when done.
This may not be the end all solution for everyone but it helped in my situation.
Not sure if this is still an issue for some users but I recently had this happen for one of my clients. I realized after some testing that if I renamed one of the folders showing the "Getting in Sync" status, created a new folder, then copied over all the items from that folder, the issue would subside. When I proceeded to delete the original folder, it prompted me if I wanted to remove a temp system file.
This helped me realize that the folders in question that would not sync all had locked/corrupt temp system files (which are hidden by default) and are not meant to sync with the OneDrive Client. This included temp files for word docs, thumbnail/icon database files, etc.
Moving forward I temporarily changed the folder options as follows (Windows 10):
1. In File Explorer > View Tab > Options (All the way to the right)
2. View Tab
3. Select the radio button for "Show hidden files, folders, and drives"
4. Finally uncheck the box that shows "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"
Once that was done, I could browse through each folder and remove all locked/corrupted temp files and the folder would show as synced after that.
Note: Remember to undo the folder options mentioned above when done.
This may not be the end all solution for everyone but it helped in my situation.
- It works for me, thank you! I found some temporary files that I just deleted. The problem is gone.
I attempted to use David Lodge 's solution to no avail. However, I didn't find any temporary files or hidden files keeping things locked up, and nothing within the folders showing out of sync.
However, I also am running Google Backup & Sync (two clouds are better than one, eh?) and when I clicked on the icon for that, I was given notice about removing several items from Google's servers that I had deleted locally at some point recently. When I confirmed I wanted to remove them from the cloud, the icons updated almost instantly on my desktop. Hope this helps somebody!
- Worked for me - thanks David Lodge
David Lodge, thanks for sharing your fault-finding method and results. The information you provided was very helpful. I found by opening each folder with the 'synching' status and deleting temp files all icons now correctly display their 'synched' status.
Oops, I spoke too soon. The 'synching' icons are back
Thank you very much for this suggestion, just saved me a massive headache. I was losing my mind trying to figure out why several of a client's folders were not syncing in a maze of 69 SharePoint document libraries synced to his computer. This fixed everything, the incorrect syncing icons as well as a problem where files in his Document libraries would download if others made changes but would not upload if he made changes and any new files that were placed in the synced libraries on his computer would not upload. ALL FIXED. Thank you very much.
- Thank you David.
Your solution solved something that has been annoying me for months.
Your post should be marked as the answer to this topic. Thanks David - your workaround worked for all my stuck "sync pending" folders EXCEPT my "Pictures" folder and the multitude of sub-folders beneath it. In the Picture folder there are no obvious corrupted system files, so must be another issue for them.
The 2018-08 CU for Windows 10 (KB4343909) solved this for me.
- Thanks for the reply Rene. My Win10 is up to date so I assume I received that update. I resolved issue for documents by deleting temporary files. For pictures I dropped automatic sync and I do it manually.
