OneDrive stuck on “Sync pending” or “Processing changes”

The problem

“Sync pending” means a file or folder has changes waiting to sync. “Processing changes” means OneDrive is checking or transferring files. Both are normal for a while after you add or change files. They become a problem when they do not clear.

The number in “Processing 7 changes” does not have to match seven visible files. It can include pending operations you cannot see in File Explorer.

Symptoms

• Files or folders keep the circular-arrows icon with the status “Sync pending”.
• The OneDrive menu shows “Processing changes” for hours or days.
• An empty folder never shows as synced.

Causes

• Hidden files

  The file holding sync back may be hidden in File Explorer.

• Temporary .tmp files

  Apps create .tmp files to store information temporarily. OneDrive does not sync them, and they can leave a folder pending.

• Empty folders

  An empty folder can show “Sync pending” until it contains a file.

• Files that are open

  A file that is open in an app may wait until it is closed.

• Many or very large files

  Adding a lot of files, or one very large file, keeps OneDrive processing for a long time.

• Sign-in or recent update

  Processing can stall when you are not signed in, or briefly after signing in or updating Windows.

How to fix it

1. Give it time after large changes

   If you have just added many files or a large file, let OneDrive finish before troubleshooting.

2. Close open files

   Save and close documents stored in OneDrive, then check whether the status clears.

3. Show hidden items

   In File Explorer, open the View menu and turn on Hidden items. Look in the pending folder for files you could not see before.

4. Deal with .tmp files

   If a .tmp file is the cause, move it outside your OneDrive folder or delete it if you do not need it. Alternatively, upload it manually on OneDrive.com or give it a different extension.

5. Recreate a pending empty folder

   Create a new folder, copy everything from the pending folder into it, then delete the pending folder.

6. Clear the Office document cache

   If the OneDrive icon stays on “Sync pending” and Office files are involved, deleting the Office Document Cache can clear it.

7. Restart, then reset if needed

   Quit and restart OneDrive. If processing still does not finish, follow the reset steps in the OneDrive not syncing guide.

Related software

OneDriveSyncFixer is not designed for this problem. An item with an invalid name usually shows a sync error rather than staying pending, so pending status on its own is rarely a naming issue.

Microsoft documentation

• OneDrive is stuck on “Sync pending” (opens in a new tab)support.microsoft.com
• OneDrive stuck on “Processing changes” (opens in a new tab)support.microsoft.com
• Reset OneDrive (opens in a new tab)support.microsoft.com

This guide summarizes Microsoft’s published guidance in our own words. Microsoft documentation remains the authoritative source.