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How to Fix OneDrive Files Stuck on Awaiting Sync Before Windows Reinstall
Question details
Users need to safely back up their data before reinstalling Windows, but OneDrive is stuck on 'Awaiting sync' or 'Preparing to upload', leaving online backup folders empty.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to back up a large volume of local files to OneDrive cloud storage prior to wiping the system for a Windows OS reinstallation.
- Observed behavior
- Files remain indefinitely stuck on 'Awaiting sync' or 'Preparing to upload' statuses. Folders appear empty online, and large data volumes fail to upload efficiently.
Verify your current internet upload speed and calculate the estimated time required to upload your total data volume to avoid unexpected delays.
Use an External Storage Drive for Reliable Backup
Since OneDrive is a synchronization service and large uploads can take dozens of hours, using a physical external drive is the safest and fastest way to back up files before reinstalling Windows.
Relying solely on OneDrive as a temporary backup before a complete system wipe is highly risky. Syncing services can experience queue bottlenecks, and uploading large volumes of data (e.g., 186 GB at 20 Mbps) can take over 20 hours.
To guarantee data safety, create a local, offline backup.
Plug a USB flash drive or an external Hard Drive/SSD with sufficient capacity into your computer's USB port.
Open File Explorer, navigate to your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and OneDrive folders, select the files you need to keep, and copy them (Ctrl+C).
Navigate to the connected external drive in File Explorer and paste the files (Ctrl+V). Wait for the transfer to complete.
Open a few files directly from the external drive to ensure they copied correctly and are not just shortcuts before proceeding with the Windows reinstallation.
Pause and Resume OneDrive Synchronization
If you still need to use OneDrive for specific files and it is stuck on 'Awaiting sync', refreshing the sync process can help clear the upload queue.
Switch to WPS Office for a Lightweight, Reliable Experience
If you are reinstalling Windows and setting up a fresh environment, consider using WPS Office instead of Microsoft Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight suite that includes a built-in cloud service for seamless document synchronization.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button to get the setup file.
- 2. Install on fresh Windows: Run the installer. The lightweight package installs quickly without bloating your new operating system.
- 3. Open your backed-up files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office documents from your external drive or cloud storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive say 'Awaiting sync' for so long?
This status appears when OneDrive recognizes the files but is either queued behind other background processes, struggling with a slow internet upload connection, or encountering temporary server connectivity issues.
Is OneDrive a reliable backup method before reinstalling Windows?
No. OneDrive is primarily designed as a file synchronization service, not a dedicated system backup tool. Because it relies heavily on your internet upload speed, large transfers can take days. A physical external drive is heavily recommended for full system wipes.
How long does it take to upload 100 GB to OneDrive?
The upload time depends entirely on your internet service provider's upload speed. For example, uploading 100 GB on a standard 20 Mbps upload connection will take roughly 11 to 12 hours of continuous, uninterrupted transfer time.
What happens if I reinstall Windows while OneDrive is 'Preparing to upload'?
Any files that have not completely finished uploading and do not show a solid green checkmark will be permanently lost during the Windows format and reinstallation process. Always verify files via the OneDrive web version before formatting.
