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Fix SharePoint Files Not Appearing After Moving in File Explorer
Question details
Files moved from the desktop to a SharePoint shortcut via File Explorer are visible locally but do not show up on the online SharePoint site or in Microsoft Teams.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- A user attempts to upload local desktop files to a shared SharePoint folder by dragging and dropping them into a synchronized directory in Windows File Explorer.
- Observed behavior
- The moved files appear instantly in the local File Explorer folder, but they remain invisible to team members on the web SharePoint interface or Microsoft Teams because the OneDrive background synchronization is stalled or delayed.
Verify that your computer has an active internet connection and ensure that you are signed into the correct Microsoft account on your OneDrive desktop application.
Pause and Resume OneDrive Synchronization
Manually pausing and restarting the OneDrive sync process forces the application to reconnect to the server and process stalled file uploads to SharePoint.
When files are moved into a SharePoint shortcut within File Explorer, they rely entirely on the local OneDrive application to upload them to the cloud. Occasionally, this synchronization process hangs or pauses unexpectedly.
Restarting the sync sequence clears temporary connection glitches and pushes the queued local files to the live SharePoint site and Teams.
Look for the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon situated in the system tray on your Windows taskbar (usually near the clock). Click it to open the OneDrive panel.
Click the gear icon located in the upper right or lower right corner of the OneDrive panel to open the settings menu.
Select 'Pause syncing' from the dropdown menu and choose a temporary duration, such as 2 hours. The cloud icon will display a pause symbol.
Click the paused OneDrive cloud icon again, and click the 'Resume syncing' button or icon. This forces OneDrive to scan for local changes and begin uploading.
Wait a few moments for the upload to complete, then open your SharePoint site or Microsoft Teams via a web browser and refresh the page to confirm the files are now visible.
Switch to WPS Office for Reliable File Management
If you frequently struggle with Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive synchronization delays, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly efficient, free alternative equipped with built-in reliable cloud storage, a familiar interface, and excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats.
- 1. Download the Application: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free suite on your device.
- 2. Enable Cloud Storage: Sign in with your email or social account to instantly activate your free WPS Cloud storage space.
- 3. Create and Auto-Save: Start editing your documents. All modifications are automatically synced and backed up to your reliable cloud space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my files show up locally in File Explorer but not on the SharePoint site?
This happens when your local files have not yet been uploaded to the Microsoft servers. While File Explorer recognizes the file on your local hard drive, network delays, a paused OneDrive app, or file errors can prevent the data from mirroring to the online SharePoint environment.
How do I know if my SharePoint files have successfully synced via OneDrive?
Open File Explorer and navigate to your SharePoint folder. Look at the 'Status' column next to your files. A solid green checkmark means the file is successfully saved and synced locally, while a cloud icon indicates it is fully available online. A syncing icon (two circular arrows) means the upload is still in progress.
What should I do if resuming the OneDrive sync doesn't fix the SharePoint upload?
If pausing and resuming fails to trigger the upload, check if your file names contain unsupported characters (like <, >, :, ", |, ?, *, /, \), verify that you haven't exceeded your storage quota, or try unlinking and relinking your PC from the OneDrive settings.
