When OneDrive stops syncing files on macOS, your local files and cloud storage fall out of sync, risking data availability and disrupting daily work. Fixing this issue doesn't require mysterious hacks; it requires systematic troubleshooting of macOS permissions, background process states, and app configurations.
Here is the direct answer: OneDrive for Mac usually stops syncing because of corrupted app caches, restricted macOS disk permissions, signed-out credentials, or files exceeding path length and size limits. Resetting the OneDrive app or clearing its cache clears the vast majority of these stalls immediately.
1. Verify Account Connection and Status
Before altering system files or reinstalling software, check whether your Microsoft account is actually connected to the local client.
- Look at your Mac's menu bar for the OneDrive cloud icon. A slashed icon, a pause symbol, or a greyed-out state points directly to a connection or authentication drop.
- Click the icon to open the activity center. If you see a prompt asking you to sign in, enter your credentials again.
- If your password changed recently on another device, the local sync token becomes invalid. Re-authenticating fixes authorization rejections instantly.
2. Restart and Reset the OneDrive App
Background processes on macOS occasionally hang, preventing the sync engine from polling changes. Restarting the application forces a fresh initialization of the sync daemon. Similar insight on the subject has been provided by BBC.
- Quit OneDrive by clicking the menu bar icon, opening Help & Settings, and selecting Quit OneDrive.
- Open your Applications folder or use Spotlight to launch OneDrive again.
- If restarting fails, reset the app completely. Press Command + Space, type
Terminal, and open the application. - Enter this exact command to reset the app package:
%userprofile%/AppData/Local/Microsoft/OneDrive/OneDrive.exe /reset
(Note: For macOS, use the native terminal path or locate the reset script inside the OneDrive app contents via /Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Resources/ResetOneDriveApp.command)
Double-click the ResetOneDriveApp.command file in Finder, enter your Mac login password when prompted, and let the script clear corrupted configuration plists.
3. Check macOS Disk Permissions and Privacy Settings
Apple's security architecture requires explicit permissions for apps trying to read and write across user directories. If OneDrive lacks full disk access, background file observation fails silently.
- Open System Settings on your Mac.
- Navigate to Privacy & Security and select Files and Folders.
- Locate OneDrive in the list and ensure that permissions for Desktop, Documents, or removable volumes are enabled.
- If files are stored on an external drive formatted in an incompatible file system (such as NTFS without write drivers), OneDrive cannot sync changes properly. Reformat external volumes to APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
4. Identify Problematic Files and Invalid Characters
OneDrive enforces strict naming conventions and file size limits. If a single file violates these rules, the entire sync queue can stall behind it.
- Look for error notifications in the OneDrive activity center pointing to specific file names.
- Avoid using characters like
*,:,<,>,?,",|, or leading/trailing spaces in file or folder names. - Ensure files are under the maximum size limit (currently 250 GB for individual files in Microsoft 365).
- Check for excessively long file paths. The combined path and file name length must stay under 400 characters. Move nested folders closer to the root OneDrive directory if necessary.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Deleting the local OneDrive folder without unlinking: This triggers massive re-downloads or accidental cloud deletions. Always unlink the account from settings first.
- Ignoring macOS updates: Outdated operating system versions often introduce background daemon conflicts with cloud synchronization software. Keep your macOS updated.
- Using third-party cache cleaners blindly: Automated cleanup tools often delete active OneDrive session databases, causing infinite sync loops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive show a processing change loop?
This happens when OneDrive gets stuck indexing a large batch of temporary files or hidden items (like .DS_Store). Restarting the app or pausing and resuming sync clears the loop.
Does pausing sync delete my local files?
No. Pausing sync simply halts uploading and downloading activity. Your local files remain intact and editable on your Mac.
How do I know if files are syncing correctly?
Green checkmarks appear next to file icons in Finder when files are fully synced. Blue circular arrows indicate that sync activity is currently underway.
Can I choose specific folders to sync on my Mac?
Yes. Open OneDrive settings, go to the Account tab, click Choose folders, and uncheck directories you want to keep offline or exclude from local storage.
What should I do if a reinstall doesn't work?
Completely remove the app preferences from ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.OneDrive and ~/Library/Group Containers/UWDY63W8FB.com.microsoft.OneDrive before installing a fresh copy from the Microsoft OneDrive official download page.
