Overview
Syncing your OneDrive connects your computer to your OneDrive so they can communicate in both directions. When syncing is working, any changes you make to a file on your desktop are updated in your OneDrive cloud storage, and changes made in the cloud are reflected on your computer. You can think of OneDrive as the online home for your files and your desktop as a portal for accessing them. If OneDrive is not syncing, that connection has been interrupted, and changes will only be saved locally. The first time you set up OneDrive on your desktop, it syncs automatically; after that, you can check the sync status to ensure the connection is still active.
Considerations
- The syncing process requires a Wi-Fi connection
- You can edit files offline, but files won't sync with the online portal until your computer has access to WiFi.
- The online version of OneDrive is always synced as long as there is an internet connection.
- MacOS and Windows syncing icons look slightly different.
- Most syncing issues occur when a user changes their UWEC password and has the outdated password saved to OneDrive.
Information and Instruction (Windows)
Check Syncing Status
- On the right side of the taskbar, click on the OneDrive icon to open up the OneDrive Quick Access panel.
- The syncing status is found at the top of the panel.
- "Your files are synced" means your OneDrive is properly synced.
Syncing Issues
If OneDrive is not syncing, there will be a red "x" over the OneDrive logo.
- Click on the OneDrive icon with the red "x".
- Follow the prompt to resume or sign in to re-sync your OneDrive.
Information and Instruction (MacOS)
Check Syncing Status
- In the menu bar, found at the top right corner of your screen, click on the OneDrive icon to open up the OneDrive Quick Access panel.
- The syncing status is found at the top of the panel.
- "Your files are synced" means that your OneDrive is properly synced.
Syncing issues
If OneDrive is not syncing, there will be an "x" over the OneDrive logo.
- Click on the OneDrive icon with the "x".
- Follow the prompt to resume or sign in to re-sync your OneDrive.
- If no prompt appears and OneDrive is still not syncing, click on the Help & Settings gear in the top right.
- Select Preferences>Account>Unlink this Mac>Unlink Account.
- You should be prompted to sign in again.
- Follow the sign-in instructions on the screen.
Additional Resources
- Troubleshoot Sync Issues on MacOS (Microsoft Support Guide)
- OneDrive Sync Icons (Microsoft Support Guide)
- OneDrive Sync Troubleshooting (Microsoft Support Guide)
- What do the OneDrive icons mean? (Microsoft Support Guide)