OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive for Business Syncing SharePoint Folders but Not Files

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are experiencing partial synchronization in OneDrive for Business, where SharePoint libraries create empty folders on the local drive but fail to download or sync the actual files.

How to Fix OneDrive for Business Syncing SharePoint Folders but Not Files

Product: OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Syncing SharePoint document libraries to a local machine using the OneDrive for Business client.
Observed behavior: Folders are created locally, but the files inside them are missing. Basic troubleshooting like resetting, unlinking, and reinstalling the OneDrive client does not resolve the issue.

Before you start

Ensure that you have a stable internet connection, sufficient local disk space, and that you are logged into the correct Microsoft 365 enterprise account before attempting to resolve synchronization issues.

Solution 1Recommended

Escalate to Microsoft 365 Admin for Support Request

Since standard client-side troubleshooting fails, the issue likely resides on the server level requiring Microsoft Support intervention.

Because personal OneDrive syncs normally but specific SharePoint libraries only sync folders, the root cause often involves tenant-level permissions, corrupted server-side sync states, or backend Microsoft 365 service degradation.

Gather Error Details

Collect the exact SharePoint library paths, affected user email addresses, and timestamps of when the sync issue began.

Take Screenshots

Capture screenshots of the empty folders in your local File Explorer and the corresponding populated folders in SharePoint Online.

Contact Your IT Admin

Provide these details to your organization's IT department or Microsoft 365 administrator so they can open a service request in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

Escalate to Microsoft 365 Admin for Support Request

Required Logs: Microsoft support will likely request OneDrive synchronization logs to identify why files are being skipped while folders are created.

Solution 2

Check for Invalid Characters and Path Length Limits

Sometimes files fail to sync while folders succeed if the file names contain restricted characters or exceed Windows path length limits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive create folders but not download the files?

This can happen due to restricted network bandwidth, syncing restrictions placed by your IT administrator, invalid characters in file names, or a corrupted OneDrive sync cache on your device.

Does resetting the OneDrive app delete my files?

No, resetting the OneDrive client only resets the application settings and forces a full re-sync. It does not delete any of your actual files stored in SharePoint or locally on your device.

How long does Microsoft Support typically take to resolve SharePoint sync issues?

Response times vary based on your organization's Microsoft 365 support plan, but providing comprehensive logs, timestamps, and screenshots in your initial service request can significantly speed up the investigation process.

Document & File Issues