OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Excel Stuck on Uploading Latest Changes to OneDrive

Steve K Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a synchronization issue where Excel gets stuck uploading files to OneDrive, displaying a persistent cleanup message.

How to Fix Excel Stuck on Uploading Latest Changes to OneDrive

Product: Microsoft Excel, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sync local Excel workbook edits to OneDrive from the desktop application.
Observed behavior: Excel displays 'Performing cleanup—Excel is uploading your most recent changes.' The desktop application fails to sync, while newer versions of the file are visible on the OneDrive website.

Before you start

Manually copy the affected Excel workbook from its current OneDrive folder to a separate local directory (like your Desktop) to ensure your unsynchronized changes are securely preserved before resetting the connection.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink OneDrive, Clear Cache, and Reconnect

Resetting the connection between OneDrive and your local system while clearing cached credentials typically resolves stuck synchronization loops.

This process safely disconnects your PC from OneDrive without deleting your cloud files, allowing you to establish a fresh sync connection and bypass corrupted cache files.

Unlink this PC from OneDrive

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar, select the Gear icon (Settings), navigate to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this PC'.

Clear Windows credentials

Open the Windows Control Panel, go to 'Credential Manager,' select 'Windows Credentials,' and remove any saved credentials related to Microsoft Office or OneDrive.

Clear the Office file cache

Open the Office Upload Center (or navigate to File > Options > Save in Excel) and select the option to delete cached files.

Reconnect and sync to a new location

Open OneDrive, sign back in with your Microsoft account, and when prompted to choose a folder location, select a new local directory to initiate a fresh synchronization.

Unlink OneDrive, Clear Cache, and Reconnect

Sync Restored: Creating a new folder location for OneDrive forces the application to completely rebuild the sync directory, bypassing previous file conflicts.

Solution 2

Reduce Workbook Size and Modify Sync Settings

Large workbooks or massive simultaneous edits can cause OneDrive to freeze during the upload and cleanup process.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless and Stable File Editing

If Microsoft Excel frequently struggles with synchronization or large file processing, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that effortlessly manages large spreadsheets without the risk of cloud sync freezes.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open your Excel files: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx files directly without any formatting loss.
3. Edit and save seamlessly: Make your edits and save them locally or sync them using WPS Cloud for a reliable backup experience.

Free, lightweight, and rapid installationHighly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsFamiliar user interface with a zero learning curveBuilt-in stable WPS Cloud syncing to avoid upload hangs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel get stuck on 'Performing cleanup'?

This typically happens when the Office sync engine encounters a conflict with the local document cache, or when trying to process a backlog of simultaneous edits in an excessively large file.

Will clearing the Office file cache delete my Excel files?

No, clearing the cache only removes temporary sync files used by the system. However, it is always recommended to manually save a backup copy of your unsynced local files before clearing the cache.

How do I contact Microsoft support for persistent sync issues?

If troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, IT administrators can escalate the problem by navigating to the Support section in the Microsoft 365 admin center to open a dedicated backend support ticket.

Document & File Issues