How to Fix OneDrive There Is a Sync Problem Banner

The OneDrive sync problem banner appears in File Explorer and the notification area. This banner displays the message “There is a sync problem” with a yellow warning icon. The banner means OneDrive cannot synchronize one or more files or folders with the cloud.

This problem occurs when OneDrive encounters a conflict, a file that violates sync rules, or a corrupted sync database. Network interruptions, insufficient permissions, or storage limits can also trigger this banner.

This article explains the root causes of the OneDrive sync problem banner. You will learn how to identify the specific file causing the issue, how to resolve common sync conflicts, and how to reset OneDrive when the banner persists.

Why the OneDrive Sync Problem Banner Appears

The sync problem banner is a notification from the OneDrive sync engine. The engine compares file versions on your local drive with versions stored on Microsoft 365 servers. When it detects a mismatch, a conflict, or an error, it raises the banner.

Common root causes include:

• File name or path violations: OneDrive cannot sync files with names that exceed 400 characters or contain characters like \ / : ? " < > |. Files with a tilde (~) in the name may also fail.
• File lock by another application: A file open in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint will not sync until the application releases the lock. The banner appears if the file remains locked for more than a few minutes.
• Storage quota exceeded: When your OneDrive account reaches its storage limit, the sync engine stops uploading new or changed files. The banner shows the storage status.
• Conflict with another sync client: Running both OneDrive and the older Groove or SharePoint sync client on the same library can cause the banner to appear.
• Corrupted sync database: The local database that tracks file versions can become damaged after a power loss, disk error, or incomplete shutdown. A corrupted database causes the sync engine to report all files as problematic.

The banner itself does not delete your files. It only indicates that the sync engine stopped processing changes for one or more items. You must resolve the underlying issue to clear the banner.

Steps to Fix the OneDrive Sync Problem Banner

Follow these steps in order. Stop after each step and check if the banner disappears. If it does, you do not need to continue.

1. Open the sync problem list
   Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area of the taskbar. Select View sync problems. A window opens listing every file that failed to sync. The list shows the file name, the error message, and the date of the failure. Read each error message to identify the exact cause.
2. Resolve file name violations
   If the error message says “File name contains invalid characters” or “File path is too long,” rename the file. Remove any character from the set \ / : ? " < > |. Shorten the full path to under 400 characters. Move the file to a folder closer to the root of your OneDrive directory if needed. After renaming, OneDrive will retry the sync automatically.
3. Close locked files
   If the error says “File is in use” or “File is locked,” close the file in all applications. Wait 30 seconds. The sync engine should retry and clear the error. If the file is shared with other people, ask them to close the file too. A file locked by another user shows the message “File is checked out or locked by another user.”
4. Free up storage space
   Check your OneDrive storage at https://onedrive.live.com by selecting Settings > Manage storage. If your storage is full, delete files from the OneDrive recycle bin or move files to a different location. You can also purchase additional storage from the Microsoft 365 admin center. After freeing space, right-click the OneDrive icon and select Resume syncing.
5. Stop the other sync client
   If you use the SharePoint sync client or Groove, open Task Manager. Look for processes named Groove.exe or SharePoint.exe. Select each process and click End task. Then restart OneDrive by right-clicking the OneDrive icon and selecting Close OneDrive. Open OneDrive from the Start menu again.
6. Reset OneDrive sync
   Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter. A command window opens briefly. Wait 30 seconds. Press the Windows key, type OneDrive, and press Enter to restart the sync engine. This command clears the sync database without deleting your local files. The banner should disappear after the reset completes.
7. Unlink and relink your account
   If the banner persists after the reset, right-click the OneDrive icon and select Settings. Go to the Account tab. Click Unlink this PC. Confirm the action. OneDrive stops syncing. Sign in again with your work or school account. Select the folders you want to sync. OneDrive rebuilds the sync database from the cloud. This step resolves most persistent banner issues.

If OneDrive Still Shows the Sync Problem Banner

Some issues require additional steps beyond the main fix sequence.

OneDrive Shows a Sync Problem After a File Rename or Move

Renaming or moving a file while it is syncing can cause a conflict. OneDrive creates a conflict copy with the computer name appended. For example, Report (COMPUTER-NAME's conflicted copy).docx. Open the original file and the conflict copy. Merge your changes into the original file. Delete the conflict copy. The banner clears after the next sync cycle.

OneDrive Sync Problem Banner Appears After a Windows Update

A Windows update can reset OneDrive registry settings or disable the sync engine. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Locate Microsoft OneDrive. Click the three dots and select Repair. After the repair, restart your computer. The repair reinstalls the sync engine without affecting your files.

OneDrive Sync Problem Banner for a Specific File Type

OneDrive blocks certain file types by default. These include executable files (.exe, .msi), script files (.ps1, .vbs), and archive files (.zip with password protection). If you see a sync problem for these file types, move them to a folder that is not synced with OneDrive. Alternatively, compress the file into a .zip without a password and sync the .zip file.

OneDrive Sync Problem Banner on a Shared Folder

When someone shares a folder with you, OneDrive adds it to your sync list. If the folder owner deletes or renames the folder, OneDrive shows a sync problem. Open the sync problem list. Right-click the affected folder and select Stop syncing. The banner disappears. You can re-add the folder if the owner restores it.

OneDrive Sync Problem Banner vs Other Sync Errors: Key Differences

Item	Sync Problem Banner	Sync Paused Banner	Red X on File Icon
Description	Yellow warning icon with message “There is a sync problem”	Pause icon with message “Sync is paused”	Red X overlay on a specific file or folder icon
Cause	File conflict, invalid name, lock, storage full, or database corruption	Manual pause, battery saver mode, or metered network setting	File cannot sync due to a specific error like permission or path length
Scope	Affects all files in the sync relationship	Affects all files until sync is resumed	Affects only the individual file or folder
Resolution	Identify the problem file via sync problem list and resolve the error	Click the OneDrive icon and select Resume syncing	Right-click the file and check the error message in Properties

The sync problem banner is the most common notification. It requires investigation because the cause varies by file. The other two notifications have single-step fixes.

You can now identify the exact file causing the OneDrive sync problem banner. Open the sync problem list, resolve the specific error, and the banner will clear. If the banner returns, check for file name violations or locked files first. For a persistent banner, use the reset command %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset. This command clears the sync database without affecting your local files. After the reset, the sync engine starts fresh and the banner should not reappear.