OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Not Syncing Over Ethernet on Windows 11

Partner Editor Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where OneDrive stops syncing and becomes completely inaccessible when the computer is connected to the internet via an Ethernet cable.

How to Fix OneDrive Not Syncing Over Ethernet on Windows 11

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows 11 Pro
Scenario: Attempting to sync, upload, or access files stored in Microsoft OneDrive while utilizing a wired Ethernet connection.
Observed behavior: OneDrive functions perfectly when connected to Wi-Fi, but immediately stops syncing and blocks file access when the network is switched to an Ethernet connection.

Before you start

Verify that your physical Ethernet cable is securely plugged in and that your router is actively providing internet access by testing a web browser before troubleshooting software settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Force Ethernet Connection and Restart Network Adapters

This solution isolates the network connection by disabling Wi-Fi, ensuring Windows 11 routes all OneDrive traffic strictly through the active Ethernet adapter.

Sometimes Windows 11 struggles to transition cloud services seamlessly between wireless and wired adapters, leading to connection drops. Forcing the system to recognize only the Ethernet connection can resolve these IP routing conflicts.

Disable Wi-Fi Connection

Click the Network icon in the Windows 11 taskbar and toggle the Wi-Fi button to the 'Off' position, or go to Settings > Network & internet and turn off the Wi-Fi toggle.

Restart the Computer

Reboot your PC to clear temporary network configurations and force the operating system to initialize with the Ethernet connection as the primary network.

Test OneDrive Syncing

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray and check if it successfully signs in and resumes syncing your files over the wired network.

Force Ethernet Connection and Restart Network Adapters

Network Priority: If this fixes the issue, you may want to adjust your network adapter priorities in Windows to prefer Ethernet over Wi-Fi automatically.

Solution 2

Verify Firewall and Network Profile Settings

Check if Windows Defender Firewall is blocking OneDrive on the Ethernet network profile, which might be mistakenly categorized as a public network.

Solution 3

Flush DNS and Reset Network Settings

Clear out outdated or corrupted DNS cache that might be preventing your PC from resolving Microsoft cloud servers specifically over the Ethernet connection.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Cloud Syncing

If OneDrive and Microsoft Office continue to experience network sync issues on your setup, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, reliable, and completely free alternative that includes built-in cloud storage and ensures perfect format compatibility with Microsoft Office.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer for Windows, and complete the quick installation process.
2. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents. All formatting will be preserved seamlessly.
3. Sync with WPS Cloud: Sign in to your free WPS account to automatically save and sync your documents securely across all your devices.

Built-in WPS Cloud ensures stable file syncing regardless of wired or wireless connections.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight architecture uses fewer system resources and runs smoothly on Windows 11.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive work fine on Wi-Fi but fail on Ethernet?

This usually happens because Windows assigns different network profiles and firewall rules to different adapters. Your Ethernet connection might be configured as a 'Public' network with strict security rules, or it may have conflicting DNS and proxy settings that block Microsoft servers.

Does the 'Metered Connection' setting affect OneDrive on Ethernet?

Yes. Windows 11 allows you to set an Ethernet connection as metered. If this setting is enabled, OneDrive will automatically pause syncing to conserve data. You can disable this by going to Settings > Network & internet > Ethernet, and turning off 'Metered connection'.

Can a third-party antivirus block OneDrive over a wired connection?

Absolutely. Many third-party antivirus suites and software firewalls have distinct profiles for wired and wireless networks. The security software might not recognize your wired network as safe, thus blocking background cloud sync traffic. Temporarily disabling the antivirus can help isolate the issue.

Document & File Issues