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How to Fix OneDrive Sync Item Limits and Storage Issues
Question details
Users are experiencing incomplete OneDrive synchronization due to hitting individual file size limits, total item count restrictions, or overall storage capacities.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows 10, Windows 11
- Scenario
- Synchronizing a large volume of files and folders to a Microsoft 365 OneDrive account.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive synchronization halts or becomes incomplete when users exceed 300,000 total items, upload individual files over 250 GB, or reach the 1 TB storage capacity.
Before troubleshooting, log in to your Microsoft account via a web browser to verify your current available OneDrive storage space and ensure your internet connection is stable.
Reduce Sync Items and Enable Files On-Demand
Limit the number of files synchronized locally to stay under the 300,000 item limit and free up local disk space.
Microsoft limits synchronized items to 300,000 across all OneDrive and SharePoint libraries to maintain system performance. Reducing active local syncs resolves incomplete synchronization.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows taskbar, select the Gear icon, and choose 'Settings' from the menu.
Navigate to the 'Account' tab and click 'Choose folders'. Uncheck the boxes for folders you do not need to sync locally to your computer, then click 'OK'.
Go to the 'Sync and backup' tab (or Settings tab in older versions) and ensure 'Files On-Demand' is enabled. This keeps files safely in the cloud until you need them, reducing the local item count.
Upload Large Files Using the OneDrive Desktop App
Ensure individual files do not exceed the 250 GB limit and bypass browser restrictions by using the native Windows app.
Use WPS Office for Seamless Document Management
If you are struggling with OneDrive sync limits, consider trying WPS Office. It provides an all-in-one suite with integrated WPS Cloud storage, offering a lightweight and hassle-free way to manage, edit, and back up your documents.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite to your Windows device.
- 2. Log in to WPS Cloud: Open WPS Office and sign in with your email or social account to activate your free WPS Cloud storage space.
- 3. Save to Cloud Seamlessly: Create or open a document, go to 'Menu' > 'Save As', and select WPS Cloud to automatically keep your files synced across all devices without complex folder configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum file size I can upload to OneDrive?
The maximum file size you can upload to OneDrive is 250 GB per file. However, uploading files of this magnitude depends heavily on your network stability. Using the OneDrive desktop application rather than a web browser is strongly recommended for very large files.
How many files can I sync with OneDrive before experiencing issues?
Microsoft documents a soft limit of 300,000 synchronized items across all your OneDrive and SharePoint libraries. Exceeding this number can cause incomplete synchronization, high CPU usage, or performance degradation, even if you have not exhausted your storage capacity.
Does the 250 GB file limit mean my total storage is only 250 GB?
No, the 250 GB limit applies strictly to a single individual file. Most Microsoft 365 Personal subscriptions provide 1 TB (1,000 GB) of total storage capacity for all your synced files and folders combined.
Why are my OneDrive sync icons missing on Windows 11?
According to Microsoft support engineers, there is a known compatibility issue where sync status icons may occasionally fail to appear on Windows 11 file explorer. Microsoft is developing a fix for this bug; the issue is reportedly not present on Windows 10.
