OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Red X on Photos and Incorrect File Sizes

Steve K Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

User's JPG photos and videos display a red X icon and show incorrect file sizes in OneDrive after a cut-and-paste file transfer.

How to Fix OneDrive Red X on Photos and Incorrect File Sizes

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Transferring media files from a mobile phone to a OneDrive folder via a USB data cable using the cut operation instead of copy.
Observed behavior: The files show a red X icon and incorrect sizes, indicating that the synchronization failed and the files are corrupted or incomplete.

Before you start

Stop any ongoing synchronization or file transfers immediately to prevent overwriting data, and do not empty your computer or phone's recycle bin.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Local Device Storage and Recycle Bins

Since the files were cut and the OneDrive sync failed, check if the original files are still cached on your phone or in a recycle bin.

A red X icon means OneDrive synchronization failed. Because a 'cut' operation was used over a USB cable, the original files were removed from the source device before they could be successfully uploaded to the cloud.

Check Phone Recently Deleted

Open your phone's default Gallery or File Manager app and navigate to the 'Recently Deleted' or 'Trash' folder to see if the original photos can be restored.

Check OneDrive Recycle Bin

Log into the OneDrive website in your browser, click on 'Recycle bin' in the left sidebar, and look for any fragments of the missing files.

Use Local Data Recovery

If the files are not in any trash bin, connect your phone to the computer again and run a reputable data recovery tool to scan the phone's storage for deleted JPG files.

Check Local Device Storage and Recycle Bins

Best Practice for File Transfers: In the future, always 'Copy' files instead of 'Cutting' them. Wait until you verify the upload is 100% complete and synced to OneDrive before manually deleting the originals from your device.

Solution 2

Use the Restore Your OneDrive Feature

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can attempt to roll back your entire OneDrive to a state before the failed transfer occurred.

Solution 3

Check OneDrive File Version History

If a file shows an incorrect size but was previously synced, you might be able to restore an older, uncorrupted version of it.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Backup Documents Safely with WPS Office

While OneDrive issues can cause frustrating file corruption, using a reliable local and cloud-integrated office suite like WPS Office helps safeguard your important documents. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and user-friendly suite that automatically backups your work.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Enable Cloud Backup: Sign in to your WPS account and enable WPS Cloud to automatically secure your documents.
3. Work with Peace of Mind: Enjoy seamless editing with automatic saving, ensuring your progress is never lost to local transfer errors.

Free and lightweight office suite for Windows, Mac, and mobile devicesFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Built-in WPS Cloud integration to securely auto-save and manage files without syncing errors

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the red X icon mean on OneDrive files?

A red X icon indicates that OneDrive synchronization has failed. The file could not be uploaded or downloaded properly, often due to an interrupted connection, insufficient storage space, or a corrupted source file.

Why shouldn't I 'cut' files when transferring to OneDrive?

Using the 'cut' command removes the file from its original location immediately. If the transfer process or OneDrive sync is interrupted before the upload finishes, the file can become corrupted or lost entirely. Always 'copy' files and delete the originals only after confirming a successful cloud sync.

Can OneDrive restore files that never finished uploading?

No. If a file transfer is interrupted and the file never successfully reaches OneDrive's servers, OneDrive cannot restore it. You will need to rely on local device recovery tools or your phone's trash bin to retrieve the lost data.

Document & File Issues