Forum Discussion
OneDrive Takes Excessively Long to Complete
I am experiencing a recurring issue with Microsoft OneDrive synchronization. When syncing files, the process often gets stuck on the last or second-to-last file. Specifically, it seems to hang indefinitely during the final bytes of the file. After a delay of approximately 4 to 5 minutes, the synchronization does eventually complete successfully.
This prolonged delay impacts the efficiency of the syncing process, especially when working with time-sensitive files. I would appreciate it if this issue could be investigated and resolved.
- NikolinoDEGold Contributor
When OneDrive takes an excessive amount of time to complete synchronization, especially if it consistently hangs on the last or second-to-last file, there are several potential causes and solutions to explore:
Common Causes of Delayed OneDrive Synchronization:
- Large Files or Network Congestion: Large files or a slow internet connection can significantly impact sync speed.
- File Locking or Open Files: If the file being synced is currently open or locked by another program, it may cause delays.
- Antivirus or Firewall Interference: Security software may inspect data being transferred, which can slow down the syncing process.
- File Cache Issues: Accumulated cache or temporary files can interfere with smooth syncing.
- Outdated OneDrive Client: An older version of the OneDrive application may not perform optimally.
- Corrupt or Unsupported File Types: Files that have corrupted metadata or unsupported attributes can cause issues during sync.
Solutions to Try:
1. Check File Size and Internet Speed:
- Ensure that the files being synced aren't excessively large, or split large files into smaller parts if possible.
- Confirm that your internet connection is stable and sufficient for the upload/download speed required.
2. Close Any Open Files:
- Verify that the file(s) in question are not currently open in another program or locked by an ongoing process.
3. Review Antivirus/Firewall Settings:
- Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus or firewall software and check if this resolves the issue. If it does, consider adding OneDrive to the exclusion list of the antivirus program.
- Ensure that the Windows Defender Firewall allows OneDrive to communicate freely.
4. Clear the OneDrive Cache:
- Go to Settings > OneDrive, click on Account, and select Unlink this PC. Reconnect your account afterward.
- You can also manually clear the cache:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive.
- Delete any temporary cache files present.
5. Update OneDrive Client:
- Ensure you are using the latest version of OneDrive:
- Open Microsoft Store (if using the UWP version) or go to the OneDrive download page and download the latest client.
- Updates can address known bugs and performance issues.
6. Reset OneDrive:
- If the issue persists, resetting OneDrive can often help:
- Press Windows + R, type onedrive.exe /reset, and press Enter.
- This will reset OneDrive and re-sync all files, which can clear underlying issues.
- If OneDrive does not start automatically, run onedrive.exe from the search bar.
7. Check for Unsupported Characters or Files:
- Ensure that the file names do not contain unsupported characters (e.g., |, <, >, *, ?, /, \).
Additional Considerations:
- Review Network Settings: If you are on a restricted or managed network (e.g., corporate), certain bandwidth or access limitations could impact sync speed.
- File Permissions: If files are stored in a shared folder, ensure the appropriate permissions are in place to allow full access. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
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- fjtsa_wCopper Contributor
NikolinoDEDid you generate this answer with ChatGPT or something?
- NikolinoDEGold Contributor
As I already informed you in my previous text, the text and the steps were edited/generated with the help of AI. The AI answer was generated because there were too many sources of error in the questions.
A lot of additional information was also missing, such as OneDrive version (Home, Business, etc.), which file extension do the two or one file have that slows down OneDrive at the end? Have all updates been carried out?
The digital environment was not mentioned in detail so that one could rule out one thing right from the start. Please keep in mind that troubleshooting is based on exclusions.
However, if the information helps you, I'm happy, if not, please ignore it.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.