After restarting OneDrive after >1 year and it taking ~50 hours to “look[ing] for changes” in OneDrive-synced folders, OneDrive displays “Up to date” despite not uploading any files. How do I make the files actually sync, and preferably accelerate things?

Achieving Effective File Synchronization with OneDrive: Troubleshooting and Optimization Strategies

Introduction

OneDrive remains a popular cloud storage solution for Windows users, offering seamless file synchronization across devices. However, users occasionally encounter significant issues, such as prolonged sync times, false “Up to date” statuses, or failure to upload files properly. If you find yourself in such a situation—experiencing lengthy sync durations, unconfirmed uploads, or apparent stalls—this article provides a comprehensive guide to diagnosing, troubleshooting, and optimizing your OneDrive experience.

Understanding Your Setup and Context

This guide assumes you’re using a Windows 10 Pro system, specifically a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 with an AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a solid-state drive. Your environment involves extensive data, with approximately 520,000 files to sync, and you’ve recently re-enabled OneDrive after a significant offline period.

Common Challenges Encountered

Extended “Looking for changes” periods (~50 hours) despite recent resumption
Misleading “Up to date” status without actual uploads
Persistent “Sync pending” icons on files
Sync failures related to excessively long file paths
Slow processing affecting overall productivity

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting and Optimization

Verify Actual Synchronization Activity

Issue: OneDrive reports “Up to date” but no files are confirmed uploaded.

Solution:
– Check the OneDrive online web interface to see if new files appear. If not, the local sync may be incomplete or stalled.
– Use the OneDrive activity center or notification area to check for errors or alerts.
– Confirm the cache status: exit OneDrive, delete the cache folder (%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\), then restart the app to force a refresh.

Address Long File Path Limitations

Issue: Files with paths exceeding Windows or OneDrive limits (commonly 260 characters) can cause sync issues or stalls.

Solution:
– Identify overlong paths using PowerShell scripts or dedicated tools. For example, a script can list files exceeding a certain length.
– Rename or move problematic files/folders to shorter paths, possibly outside of the synced folders temporarily.
– Use third-party tools like FreeCommander XE to batch rename files and reduce path lengths efficiently.