Monitoring OneDrive Sync Progress & Troubleshooting
Please note that this guide will only work with Microsoft Windows. If you have a Macintosh computer please contact the HelpDesk at ext. 5555 for assistance.
Introduction
Once you have your OneDrive files and folders synced to your PC you can then open, edit, add and delete as you normally would. Each time that you edit, add, or remove a folder or file in your personal OneDrive folder on your PC it will sync the changes to the cloud with the OneDrive app. You can track the sync progress and confirm that it is done (and in the cloud) using the method below.
Once your edits, additions or deletions are synced you can view the changes on the OneDrive website.
Checking the OneDrive Sync Status
Watching the OneDrive Status Icons
You can look at the OneDrive Status icons in the file explorer window to see sync status (See image below) and verify sync completion for each file or folder. See OneDrive Status Icons for a detailed explanation of each icon.
Once all of the status icons are either green check marks or blue cloud icons you will know your file or folder is synced to the cloud. Here is an example of a completed sync.
OneDrive Status Icons
The blue circular arrows mean that the sync is in progress. This includes when you are uploading files, or OneDrive is syncing new files from the cloud to your PC. | |
A red circle with a white cross means that a file or folder cannot be synced. You'll see this in File Explorer or on the OneDrive notification area icons. Click the blue or white OneDrive icon in the notification area to learn more about the problem. For more help, go to Fixing Sync Errors. | |
The blue cloud icon means that the file is synced and in the cloud but not downloaded to your device yet. Online-only files don’t take up space on your computer. You can’t open online-only files when your device isn’t connected to the Internet. Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand | |
A green check mark by a file means that it is locally available as well as synced to the cloud. When you open an online-only file, it downloads to your device and becomes a locally available file. You can open a locally available file anytime, even without Internet access. If you need more space, you can change the file back to online only. Just right-click the file and select “Free up space.” Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand | |
Files that you mark as "Always keep on this device" have the green circle with the white check mark. These files are synced to the cloud and and downloaded to your device. These always available files download to your device and take up space, but they’re always there for you even when you’re offline. Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand |
Checking the OneDrive app for sync completion
Once the sync is completed you will also see a confirmation in the OneDrive app itself. To view the app click on the small blue cloud icon in the bottom right of your taskbar (see below). Once you have clicked on the app icon you will see a window showing your sync status. If the sync is completed then it will show OneDrive is up to date.
If you see sync errors please proceed to Fixing Sync Errors.
Fixing Sync Errors
When syncing files to SPO you may see sync errors appear in the OneDrive app. Here is some information for remedying those errors.
File Size
You cannot upload a file with a size larger than 100GB. If your file is too large you can try compressing or zipping the file.
Naming Restrictions
Make sure that your file doesn't contain any illegal or characters (such as <, >, :, ", |, ?, *, /, \) or that the folder includes any unsupported file types. Learn more about Restrictions and limitations when you sync files and folders.
File Path Size
Make sure the entire file path, including the file name, contains fewer than 400 characters. An example of a file path is: C:\Users\<UserName>\Pictures\Saved\2017\December\Holiday\NewYears\Family…
To resolve this error, shorten the name of your file or the name of subfolders in OneDrive, or select a sub-folder that's closer to the top-level folder.
Give us a call
If all else fails give the HelpDesk a call at ext. 5555. We are happy to help!