Forum Discussion
Onedrive status icon folder stuck on Sync Pending in file explorer
We had the same issue with some users when we started to migrated their desktop/documents/pictures to OneDrive.
We found that the folder sits on "sync pending" as there are hidden files that wont sync. These files all start with "~" and seems to be old auto save or lock files.
We unticked "hide protected operating system files (recommended)" in windows explorer settings, this then allowed us to see those files and remove them.
We run Windows 1809 and OneDrive 19.103
Hope this helps
James
Hi there,
There is a simple solution for this problem. Just follow the below steps:
- Open your OneDrive folder on your local machine
- Go to View Ribbon > Check the "Hidden items" checkbox
- Go to View Ribbon > Options > Change Folder and Search Options
- Go to View Tab and check the "Show hidden files, folders, and drives"
- Click Apply
- Now, you can see files that are starting with "~" (without the double quotes) that has their sync status pending. These files are normally created as a result of editing a file but the application used to edit the file did not perform proper clean up upon closure. It should be safe to delete these files; however, pay attention not to delete important file. I prefer moving them to other folder before deleting.
- Now, your folder should start syncing and sync should get completed.
- Repeat the same to all other folders.
Enjoy
- It's insane that such critical issue isn't solved even in 2021. This might cause loss of important data. Microsoft's development workflow is prehistoric if they can't spot such bugs. Also ignorance and serving dumb help tutorials which never work should be a punishable act.
JeffVial Thanks. This fixed it for me. I had a spattering of files starting with '~' in various directories. Changed the setting to see the Protected OS files, deleted them and everything is showing as sync'ing.
Many thanks.
That worked for me! Thank you so much! Seems like only 1 computer out of 9 I had to migrate from Dropbox over to Onedrive gave me this sync error on some folders... I deleted the temp files as you explained. That worked but is something Microsoft needs to sort out... I can't imagine doing this for dozens or hundreds of computers at enterprise level jaymzwood
This worked for me also and gave the abilty to chase the sync pending symbols to the offending files with system files in. Thanks for this.
- The suggestion by rolandadmin worked for me, nothing else in this thread had worked. I followed these steps:
- In File Explorer click View
- Click Options (far right) > Change folder and search options
- Click View
- Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" - dialogue comes up, click Yes
- Apply, OK
- There should now be tmp files displayed in the folder in question, delete these
- Folder sync status should no longer be pending jaymzwood Thanks for this tip. After I un-hid protected operating system files, I found these folders contained tmp files. After I deleted these files the sync icons were back to check marks.
