OneDrive Not Syncing on Mac

If OneDrive isn’t syncing on your Mac, first confirm the app is running and fully updated. Restart both OneDrive and your Mac to clear temporary glitches. Then check your internet connection, storage availability, and macOS version. If syncing still fails, reset OneDrive, clear its cache, or re-sign into your Microsoft account to restore proper synchronization.

Why OneDrive is not syncing on macOS?

When OneDrive isn't syncing on macOS, it usually comes down to a few simple culprits, such as a poor internet connection, outdated software, or a lack of storage. Sometimes, permissions or corrupted cache files are to blame. From our experience, a quick update, cache reset, or permission check often gets syncing back on track.

A note from our experts: 

 

We've found that when OneDrive stops syncing on macOS, users often waste hours trying random fixes without addressing the actual problem. With MacKeeper's Premium Services, you can skip the guesswork entirely. Our certified Mac technicians analyze your system, detect what's blocking OneDrive, and restore smooth syncing in one session. MacKeeper is optimized for macOS, so every fix is handled safely and efficiently.

 

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1. Download and install MacKeeper from the official website.
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How to fix OneDrive sync issues on Mac?

To fix OneDrive sync issues on your Mac, start by ensuring your internet connection is stable and both macOS and OneDrive are updated. Restart OneDrive or your Mac to refresh processes. If syncing still fails, clear the OneDrive cache, check available storage, review file permissions, and reinstall the app to restore smooth and consistent synchronization.

1. Restart OneDrive and your Mac

Restarting helps refresh background processes and clear temporary sync glitches, especially after system updates or when you notice Finder not responding on your Mac. We often recommend it first because it’s simple, fast, and usually restores stable performance.

Steps to follow:

1. Click the OneDrive icon, open Help & Settings, and choose Quit OneDrive.
2. Go to the Apple menu and select Restart.
3. Once your Mac reboots, open OneDrive from the Applications folder.

2. Pause and resume OneDrive syncing

Pausing and resuming syncing forces OneDrive to reconnect with Microsoft's servers. It's best used when uploads stall or the sync icon stays stuck.

Here's how to do it:

1. Click the OneDrive icon, go to Help & Settings, and choose Pause syncing for 2 hours.
2. Wait for about a minute.
3. Go back to Help & Settings and select Resume syncing.
4. Check that your files start updating properly again.

3. Update OneDrive app and macOS

Based on our experience, updating both OneDrive and macOS fixes most issues quickly. If OneDrive still acts up afterward, it may be time to remove OneDrive from your Mac and reinstall the latest version from Microsoft's site.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the App Store, go to Updates, and install any available OneDrive updates.
2. Click the Apple menu, choose System Settings, then Software Update to check for macOS updates.
3. Restart your Mac after installation to apply changes.
4. Open OneDrive again and test syncing.

4. Unlink and re‑link your OneDrive account

Unlinking resets your connection to Microsoft's servers and can fix account token errors or mismatched folders.

Here's what to do:

1. Open the OneDrive icon, go to Help & Settings, then Preferences.
2. In the Account tab, select Unlink this Mac, then confirm.
3. Relaunch OneDrive from Applications and sign back in.
4. Choose your folders to sync and verify everything works smoothly.

5. Check internet connection

A slow or unstable internet connection is one of the most overlooked reasons for syncing failures.

Here's how to check it properly:

1. Turn your Wi-Fi off and on from the top menu bar.
2. Restart your router or switch to another network.
3. Open Safari or Chrome and load any webpage to test speed.
4. If the issue persists, try connecting via an Ethernet cable for a more stable link.

6. Check file and folder name compatibility

Sometimes, the problem isn't with OneDrive itself but with what you're asking it to sync. Files that include unsupported symbols, excessive length, or hidden system data can trigger repeated sync errors.

Follow these quick steps:

1. Review files in your OneDrive folder and shorten names to fewer than 400 characters.
2. Remove special characters like ?, /, |, <, or *.
3. Check for duplicate names in different folders.
4. Save the changes and reopen OneDrive to confirm that syncing usually resumes.

7. Investigate local and cloud storage space

Running low on storage—either on your Mac or in OneDrive—can silently block syncing. We often find that users with large photo libraries or old project folders hit their limits without noticing. Interestingly, it's the same root cause behind why iCloud photos aren’t syncing on Mac—insufficient free space.

Try these steps to verify:

1. Go to the OneDrive icon → Help & Settings → Manage Storage.
2. Remove unneeded files or upgrade your OneDrive plan.
3. On your Mac, open the Apple menu → About This Mac → Storage to review disk space.
4. Clear temporary files or move large folders to external storage.

8. Contact Microsoft Support if the issue persists

If none of the fixes work, it's time to get professional help. We always encourage users to contact support before trying risky manual tweaks or Terminal commands.

To do it safely:

1. Open OneDrive, click the Help & Settings icon, and select Get Help.
2. Attach screenshots or logs if available.
3. Follow Microsoft's guided troubleshooting or request a callback from their technical support.

Conclusion

Most OneDrive syncing problems on Mac can be fixed through quick updates, cache clearing, or account resets. Following these methods restores smooth operation and keeps your files safe. For faster results, try MacKeeper's Premium Services—the Apple-notarized macOS utility software trusted by millions of users for reliable performance monitoring and expert assistance.