OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive File Transfer Stalls at 99% Between Computers

Muhammad Talha Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is attempting to transfer or sync files between computers using OneDrive, but the synchronization hangs continuously at 99%, leaving files unavailable.

How to Fix OneDrive File Transfer Stalling at 99% Between Computers

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: Migrating files to a new computer, performing a system restore, or syncing a large batch of online-only files to a local drive.
Observed behavior: The OneDrive download progress stalls at 99%. Folders appear empty, files are missing on the local machine, and selecting 'Always keep on this device' simply restarts the download without completing it.

Before you start

Ensure your computer has a stable internet connection and pause any other heavy network usage. Verify that you have enough local disk space to accommodate the downloaded files.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset the OneDrive Synchronization Client

Resetting the OneDrive client clears the local sync cache and forces the application to re-check all files, which often pushes a 99% stalled download to completion.

This process will not delete your files, but it will resync all your data. Depending on the size of your OneDrive directory, this might take some time to process completely.

Open the Run dialog

Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run window.

Execute the reset command

Type '%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset' into the text box and press Enter.

Restart OneDrive manually if needed

The OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray should disappear and reappear after a minute or two. If it does not reappear, open the Start menu, search for 'OneDrive', and click on it to launch the application again.

Sync Re-establishment: Once restarted, OneDrive will display 'Processing changes'. Allow it to finish this check to resolve the stalled files.

Solution 2

Verify File Availability Online and on the Old Computer

If files appear missing or folders are empty on the new PC, you must confirm that they successfully uploaded from the original source.

Solution 3

Unlink and Reconnect Your PC

Unlinking your account severs the current faulty connection to the Microsoft servers and allows you to establish a fresh sync session without reinstalling the software.

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3. Open Your Synced Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your recently synced OneDrive documents to start editing immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my OneDrive download stall specifically at 99 percent?

This usually happens due to a corrupted local sync cache, a file being locked or in use by another background application on your computer, or temporary network drops. Resetting the OneDrive app clears the cache and often resolves this final 1% hurdle.

How can I recover files if the OneDrive transfer fails completely and folders are empty?

Log into OneDrive on the web and check the online Recycle Bin. If the files were deleted or overwritten during the sync failure, you can restore them from there. Also, check the original computer to ensure the files were actually uploaded successfully before the transfer started.

What should I do if clicking 'Always keep on this device' just restarts the download loop?

This indicates a sync loop where the local OneDrive client cannot confirm the file hash with the Microsoft server. To fix it, right-click the OneDrive icon, go to Settings > Account, and select 'Unlink this PC'. Sign back in to re-establish a healthy connection and attempt the download again.

Document & File Issues