Fix SharePoint 'Your Changes Cannot Be Discarded' Error via Office Cache
Question details
Users are unable to discard changes or save copies of SharePoint documents opened through OneDrive due to a synchronization lock error.
- Product
- SharePoint / Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Discarding changes or saving a copy of a SharePoint document synchronized via OneDrive.
- Observed behavior
- The application displays a 'Your Changes Cannot Be Discarded' error, preventing the user from removing changes or properly resolving file sync conflicts.
Manually save a backup copy of your unsynchronized or recently edited files to a completely different local folder to prevent any accidental data loss.
Clear the Microsoft Office File Cache
Deleting the local Office file cache clears out stale synchronization data and resolves document lock issues between OneDrive and SharePoint.
The Office Document Cache is used to ensure that changes to Office files saved in the cloud are synchronized smoothly. When this cache becomes corrupted or out of sync with the SharePoint server, you may encounter locking and discard errors.
Fully exit out of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray and select 'Close OneDrive' or quit the application.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type '%localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache' and press Enter.
Select all files and folders within the opened OfficeFileCache directory and delete them. This forces Office to rebuild the cache upon next launch.
Restart OneDrive and reopen your SharePoint document. Allow the background synchronization process to establish a fresh connection to the server.
Avoid Complex Sync Errors with WPS Office
If you are tired of dealing with caching issues, document locks, and synchronization errors in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that simplifies document editing and management.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free software suite.
- 2. Open your documents: Open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly in WPS Office without worrying about format compatibility.
- 3. Save and manage files securely: Easily save your files locally or to your preferred cloud storage service without complex background caching conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing the Office cache delete my personal files?
No, clearing the OfficeFileCache folder only removes temporary synchronization files and background cache data. However, it is always recommended to back up unsaved or unsynced documents before performing this action to prevent accidental data loss.
Why do SharePoint synchronization errors happen in OneDrive?
These errors often occur due to conflicting document locks, stale local cache data, or interrupted internet connections during background synchronization between the local Office app and the SharePoint server.
What if clearing the cache does not fix the 'Cannot Be Discarded' error?
If the issue persists, try unlinking and relinking your OneDrive account, ensuring your Microsoft Office suite is fully updated, or accessing the document directly through the SharePoint web interface in your browser.
