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Fix OneDrive sync problems on a Mac

We're sorry that you're having trouble syncing your OneDrive. To help get you syncing again, follow the steps below to unlink and re-link your computer to OneDrive.

Notes: 

  • If you exceed your Microsoft storage, you won’t be able to upload, edit, or sync new files (such as Camera Roll) to your OneDrive. Learn more.

  • No data will be lost by unlinking and re-linking your OneDrive, your local folders are just disconnected from the cloud for a short while. Any changes made while you're unlinked will be synced once re-linking is complete.

1. Unlink your OneDrive account

  1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon up in your Menu bar, click the three dots  to open the menu, and select Preferences.

  2. Go to the Account tab.

  3. Select Unlink this PC.

2. Clear sign in credentials

  1. From Spotlight search type “keychain” and select Keychain Access. If it's not visible in Spotlight, go to the Utilities folder and open Keychain Access from there.

  2. Search for “OneDrive.”

  3. Delete OneDrive Cached Credential.

    Tip: The steps to delete Keychains may vary, an alternative approach is to choose Window > Keychain Access, then choose File > Delete Keychain [OneDrive/Office/MS] and click Delete References.

3. Sign in again to re-link your account

  1. Use Spotlight to search for OneDrive and open it.

  2. When you sign in, OneDrive will prompt you that a folder already exists: select Use this folder.

    Tip: Select Choose new folder if you want to move your OneDrive to a new location.

  3. OneDrive will now sync your files and folders back to your computer. OneDrive won't download all your files, (just their placeholders to save space, learn more), but this will still take some time.

  4. Once your files have re-synced, you can clean up your Computer folder view and choose which folders to sync to your computer.

Still having problems?

Use our guided support troubleshooting tool or follow the steps in the sections below.

Start

ISSUE

This error will appear if you have two versions of OneDrive installed.

WORKAROUND

We do not support running both standalone and App Store versions of OneDrive side by side.

If you want to switch between them, you must first remove the previous installation by running the Reset script inside of the app bundle:

  1. Right-click or CTRL-click the OneDrive app

  2. Select Show package contents then Contents/resources/reset*.command

  3. Install the latest OneDrive for macOS from your preferred source.

ISSUE

After updating to macOS Big Sur, some Mac users may see OneDrive stuck on "Processing changes" for a long time.

RECOMMENDED ACTION 

This is caused by a VolumeID change which happened as part of the OS upgrade.

No action is required - please wait for the changes to complete.

  1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon up in your Menu bar, click the three dots to open the menu.

    Tips: 

    • If you don't see the OneDrive icon, OneDrive might not be running. On a Mac, use Spotlight to search for OneDrive and open it.

    • If you have both OneDrive and OneDrive for work or school set up on your computer, the settings are accessed in the same way, but are unique to each account.

  2. Select View online.

    Note: If you're having problems signing in to OneDrive.com online, check the status of Microsoft Office Online Services at the Service Health portal.

OneDrive and macOS are frequently updated and keeping your computer up to date can help sync problems.

  1. If OneDrive is not installed, you can download the latest version of the app or visit the Mac App Store.

    Note: If you already have the latest version, the installer setup will end automatically. For more information on the latest version, read the release notes.

  2. Use Spotlight to search for OneDrive and then open the app.

  3. When OneDrive Setup starts, enter your email address and password, and then select Sign in to set up your account.

If you see the sync icon stuck for a long period of time, moving some files out of a sync folder can help clear any sync issues.

  1. Open OneDrive settings (select the OneDrive cloud icon in your notification area, and then select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon )

  2. Select Pause syncing.

  3. Choose how long you want to pause OneDrive.

After choosing the time, perform the following:

  1. Select a file from one of your sync folders and move it to a different folder that's not part of OneDrive.

  2. Select OneDrive Help and Settings icon again and select Resume syncing...

  3. Once sync is complete, move the file back again.

Resetting OneDrive can sometimes resolve sync issues. OneDrive will perform a full sync after the reset.

Notes: 

  • Resetting OneDrive disconnects all your existing sync connections (including personal OneDrive and OneDrive for work or school if set up).

  • You won't lose files or data by resetting OneDrive on your computer.

Learn how to Reset OneDrive.

See also

Can't sign in to OneDrive

What do the OneDrive icons mean?

What do the OneDrive error codes mean?

How to cancel or stop sync in OneDrive

More fixes for recent OneDrive issues

Need more help?

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Contact Support
For help with your Microsoft account and subscriptions, visit Account & Billing Help.

For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option.

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Admins should view Help for OneDrive Admins, the OneDrive Tech Community or contact Microsoft 365 for business support.

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