Forum Discussion
Onedrive status icon folder stuck on Sync Pending in file explorer
Per Ove SandhålandCould you tell us if your users using another cloud storage SAS like Google Drive, Dropbox, ... on the same computer?
Few OneDrive icons issue comes when there are other cloud storage client installed on the same computer.
And if someone have an workaround for this issue, you'r welcome. :)
I can confirm that some of my clients have dropbox installed.
But I can also confirm that a fresh, and updated Windows 10 with updated onedrive and applications and no other software like dropbox, has the same issues.
So I do not believe it is related to other software.
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.
- That’s how it works with those files that sync in real time. But most likely you just have the odd bug with the files that I’ve seen happen as well. But if those files in fact are opened by you or someone the sync icon is intended behavior.
ChrisWebbTech Thanks but if that were the case, why does file explorer show the correct sync statsus i.e all up to date where as the file browser in an app shows a different status?
- Are you sure these office files aren't open by someone? Anytime files are opened in 365 with auto save etc. they will sit as sync icons.
Kevin1988Have just encountered the problem. Upgraded to Windows 1903. In explorer all Onedrive files show ticked as synced. One drive states all files up to date but if I browse the same folders in an app, say Word or Excel then the folders show the syncing icon. Annoying that no-one can offer a fix. Spoke to Microsoft tech. They said they will pass my screenshots to support but support will NOT come back to me with a fix!. What was the point of that?
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
- Nope, and I can't find a solution anywhere, MS support is ignoring this completely.
Anyone figure this out? I'm seeing this issue with someone using Windows 10 1803 and the latest OneDrive sync client. Thanks.
