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Fix OneDrive Not Downloading Files and Syncing Empty Folders
Question details
Users are encountering a critical synchronization bug where OneDrive leaves local folders empty and then syncs this empty state back to the cloud.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS (including new Mac Minis and macOS Sequoia)
- Scenario
- Syncing files from OneDrive to a local computer directory.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive fails to download the actual files locally. The resulting empty local folders then sync back to the OneDrive server, causing the online cloud folders to become completely empty as well.
Immediately pause your OneDrive synchronization to prevent the empty local folders from continuing to overwrite your cloud data, and check OneDrive on the web to verify if your files are still intact.
Pause Synchronization and Recover Missing Files
Stop the sync process immediately to protect your remaining cloud files and restore any overwritten files from the OneDrive Recycle Bin.
Because this bug actively deletes your cloud files by replacing them with empty local folders, stopping the sync is the most critical first step. Once paused, you can safely retrieve your data.
Click the OneDrive icon in your Mac menu bar, click the gear icon (Settings), and select 'Pause syncing' (choose 2 hours or more).
Open a web browser, go to the official OneDrive website, and log into your Microsoft account.
Navigate to the 'Recycle bin' on the left sidebar. Locate the files that were deleted by the sync glitch, select them, and click 'Restore' at the top of the page.
Update macOS and OneDrive Application
Since this behavior is tied to a potential bug affecting newer hardware and macOS Sequoia, installing the latest software patches may resolve the syncing failure.
Report the Bug to OneDrive Support
If updates do not fix the issue, reporting it directly with synchronization logs helps Microsoft identify and release a patch for your specific hardware.
Try WPS Office for Reliable and Secure File Management
If OneDrive synchronization bugs are causing data loss and disrupting your workflow, switching to WPS Office offers a stable, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. With reliable local saving and built-in safe cloud storage options, you can work on your documents without worrying about sync glitches.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office installer for Mac from the official website and follow the setup prompts.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing local or cloud-based Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
- 3. Save Safely: Edit your documents and save them securely to your local drive or utilize WPS Cloud for seamless cross-device access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my OneDrive folders showing up empty on my Mac?
This is often caused by a synchronization bug where the OneDrive client fails to fetch the file data from the cloud. It creates the folder structure locally but leaves it empty, which can sometimes incorrectly sync back to the cloud.
Are my files permanently deleted if empty folders synced to OneDrive?
Usually, no. Even if OneDrive synced the empty folders back to the cloud, your original files are typically moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin. You can access the web version of OneDrive and restore them from the Recycle Bin.
Is the OneDrive empty folder bug specific to macOS Sequoia?
While it has been heavily reported by users on newer Macs running macOS Sequoia and new Mac Minis, similar sync glitches can occur after major OS or OneDrive updates on various platforms. Always keep your apps and operating system up to date.
