OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive for Mac Not Downloading Files or Folders

Rana Garcia Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to download files or folders using OneDrive for Mac, even though the application reports that everything is synced.

Fix OneDrive for Mac Not Downloading Files or Folders

Product: OneDrive for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to sync cloud files to local Mac storage and access folders marked for offline availability.
Observed behavior: Folders marked 'Always Keep on This Device' remain unavailable, sync speeds are extremely slow, and the download icon is unresponsive despite a strong internet connection.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac has an active, stable internet connection and verify that there is sufficient local disk space available to accommodate the downloaded files.

Solution 1Recommended

Troubleshoot Mac Environment Interference

Use Safe Mode and a new user account to determine if background software or corrupted profile settings are blocking OneDrive from downloading files.

If standard troubleshooting like resetting or reinstalling the OneDrive app fails, macOS background processes or user profile corruption might be interfering with the sync engine.

Restart Mac in Safe Mode

Reboot your Mac and hold the Shift key to start in Safe Mode. This disables unnecessary background software that might interfere with OneDrive's connection.

Test OneDrive Download

Open OneDrive while in Safe Mode and check if the unresponsive download icon starts working and files begin to download.

Create a New User Account

If Safe Mode does not resolve the issue, open 'System Settings' > 'Users & Groups' and create a new local macOS user account.

Verify Sync in the New Account

Log into the newly created account, set up OneDrive, and attempt to download your files to rule out user-profile-specific corruption.

Troubleshoot Mac Environment Interference

Safe Mode Limitations: Your Mac may run slower or exhibit limited graphics performance in Safe Mode; this is normal and will revert once you restart normally.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support for Log Analysis

Escalate the issue to Microsoft Support by providing diagnostic logs if system-level troubleshooting does not restore download functionality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive show my files as synced when they aren't downloaded on my Mac?

This usually happens due to a glitch in the 'Files On-Demand' feature, where the app registers the cloud placeholder as fully synced even if the actual file data hasn't been successfully downloaded to your local drive.

Will resetting the OneDrive app on macOS delete my local files?

No, resetting the OneDrive app only resets the sync settings and engine cache. It does not delete any of your personal files, though it will require you to sign back in and re-configure your sync preferences.

How can I force a stuck OneDrive folder to download on a Mac?

You can try right-clicking the folder and selecting 'Free Up Space', waiting a few moments, and then right-clicking again to select 'Always Keep on This Device'. If the icon remains unresponsive, restarting the app or testing in Safe Mode is recommended.

Document & File Issues