OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Sync Stuck on a .Trash Folder

Maira Mehtab Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where OneDrive synchronization is stuck specifically on a .Trash folder, preventing the rest of the files from syncing properly.

How to Fix OneDrive Sync Stuck on a .Trash Folder

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Syncing a SharePoint document library or local files using the OneDrive desktop client.
Observed behavior: The OneDrive client stalls and gets stuck continuously attempting to sync a .Trash folder, even though other users can sync the exact same document library without errors.

Before you start

Before proceeding, manually copy any newly created or modified files that haven't synced yet to a separate local folder (like your Desktop) to ensure no data is lost when resetting the client.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset Cache, Credentials, and Reinstall OneDrive

This is the most effective method for clearing corrupted local configurations, stale credentials, and broken cache files that cause the sync engine to stall.

By completely removing the existing configuration and credentials, you force OneDrive to build a fresh, uncorrupted index of your files.

Unlink your OneDrive account

Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, click the gear icon to open 'Settings', navigate to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this PC'.

Uninstall the OneDrive client

Quit the OneDrive app completely. Open Windows Settings, go to 'Apps' > 'Apps & features', search for Microsoft OneDrive, and click 'Uninstall'.

Clear Windows credentials

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'Credential Manager', and open it. Select 'Windows Credentials' and remove all entries related to 'OneDrive' or 'MicrosoftOffice'.

Delete the local OneDrive cache

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type '%localappdata%\Microsoft', and press Enter. Locate the 'OneDrive' folder and delete or rename it (e.g., to 'OneDrive_Old').

Reinstall and configure a new sync location

Restart your computer, download the latest version of OneDrive from the official Microsoft website, and install it. When signing back in, carefully choose a new local folder path for your sync location.

Reset Cache, Credentials, and Reinstall OneDrive

Choose a New Sync Location: Selecting a brand-new local sync folder prevents OneDrive from conflicting with lingering file permissions from the previous installation.

Solution 2

Test with a New Windows User Profile

Use this solution if completely reinstalling OneDrive does not work, as the issue might be rooted in a corrupted Windows user profile.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive get stuck syncing a .Trash folder?

This typically occurs due to corrupted local cache files, conflicting hidden file permissions, or mismatched credentials. The sync engine gets trapped in a loop trying to process a folder state that differs between the local machine and the SharePoint/OneDrive server.

Will unlinking my PC from OneDrive delete my files?

No. Unlinking your PC only stops the synchronization process. Any files already downloaded to your hard drive remain there safely, and all your cloud files stay intact in your online OneDrive account.

Can I manually delete the .Trash folder to fix the issue?

Sometimes manually deleting the problematic folder via the OneDrive web interface or locally can force the sync to resume. However, if the issue stems from a corrupted local cache, the sync client will need to be fully reset and reinstalled.

Document & File Issues