How to Fix Extremely Slow OneDrive Synchronization on a Second PC
Question details
The user is experiencing unusually slow synchronization speeds on a secondary PC when the same OneDrive account is actively syncing a large library on another device.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Syncing a large file library across multiple computers simultaneously using the same account.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive synchronization becomes extremely slow or appears stuck on the second computer.
Before troubleshooting, check if the primary computer has finished its heavy upload process, and ensure your internet connection is stable and not restricted by your ISP.
Reset OneDrive and Remove Bandwidth Limits
Removing bandwidth limits and resetting the OneDrive application clears temporary sync glitches and maximizes synchronization speed.
OneDrive allows users to cap upload and download speeds to save bandwidth. If this is enabled, it can drastically slow down sync processes on secondary devices.
Resetting the OneDrive client forces the app to perform a full sync and resolves underlying configuration errors without losing any local data.
Click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar, select Help & Settings, and go to Settings. Under the Network tab, set both the upload and download rates to "Don't Limit".
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Copy and paste the following command: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter.
If the previous command returns an error, try running C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
Open the Windows Start menu, search for OneDrive, and launch the application to initiate a fresh synchronization.
Unlink and Relink Your PC
Disconnecting and reconnecting your account can refresh the connection to Microsoft's servers and resolve stalling issues.
Disable LAN Proxy Settings
Misconfigured proxy settings can interfere with OneDrive's ability to communicate properly with the synchronization servers.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Cloud Sync and Document Management
If you frequently encounter syncing issues with Microsoft services, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers an intuitive interface, built-in WPS Cloud storage, and is a lightweight alternative that perfectly handles your daily document needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is OneDrive taking so long to sync files on a new computer?
When setting up OneDrive on a new or second computer, the application has to index and download the entire file structure. If the primary computer is still actively uploading a large library, bandwidth is split, causing significant delays. Removing bandwidth limits in OneDrive settings often resolves this.
Does syncing on multiple PCs slow down my internet connection?
Yes, if multiple devices are actively downloading or uploading large files to the cloud simultaneously, it can consume a large portion of your network bandwidth. You can manage this by staggering large uploads or adjusting bandwidth limits in the OneDrive Network settings.
How do I know if my OneDrive sync is stuck or just slow?
Click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar. If it shows the exact same file and progress percentage for an extended period (e.g., several hours) without any network activity, the sync is likely stuck. If the numbers are slowly changing, it is just a slow connection.
Will resetting OneDrive delete my local files?
No. Resetting OneDrive using the command line only resets the application's configuration and forces it to re-check all files. You will not lose any local data or files stored in the cloud.
