OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Sync Stuck on Pending or Downloading

Khadija Khan Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

OneDrive is failing to synchronize files between two laptops, getting stuck in a continuous 'sync pending' or 'downloading' state for small files.

How to Fix OneDrive Sync Stuck on Pending or Downloading

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user is attempting to sync files across two laptops via OneDrive, but the destination laptop only shows folders and cloud icons while hanging on a small file download.
Observed behavior: OneDrive displays a 'sync pending' status on the source laptop and remains stuck continuously downloading a small 15.9 KB file on the second laptop without ever completing the synchronization.

Before you start

Check your OneDrive account online via a web browser to confirm whether all files from the source laptop have successfully uploaded to the cloud before troubleshooting the destination laptop.

Solution 1Recommended

Pause and Resume OneDrive Syncing

This is the quickest way to restart a frozen sync process and force OneDrive to reconnect to the server.

Often, the OneDrive client experiences a temporary glitch or connection timeout when transferring files. Manually pausing and resuming the sync process forces the application to re-evaluate the pending queue and resume downloading stuck files.

Open OneDrive

Click on the OneDrive cloud icon located in your computer's system tray or taskbar.

Access settings

Click the 'Help & Settings' gear icon or the 'More' option within the OneDrive popup panel.

Pause syncing

Select 'Pause syncing' from the dropdown menu and choose a time duration (e.g., 2 hours).

Resume syncing

Wait a few moments, click the OneDrive icon again, and select 'Resume syncing' to restart the file transfer process.

Check Online Status: If the files are fully visible on OneDrive online, the issue is strictly on the receiving laptop.

Solution 2

Reset Your Network and DNS Settings

Use this method if network configuration, proxy conflicts, or DNS cache issues are preventing OneDrive from completing downloads.

Solution 3

Verify File Names and Permissions

Check for unsupported characters or permission conflicts that might be causing the specific file to hang.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive say 'sync pending' but nothing is actually uploading or downloading?

This usually happens when the OneDrive client loses communication with the Microsoft servers, gets blocked by a network proxy, or encounters a file locked by another application. Checking your online OneDrive portal can help verify if the issue is on the upload or download side.

How do I find out which specific file is stuck in OneDrive?

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar or system tray. The popup menu will display the current sync activity, highlighting the exact file names that are currently downloading or pending.

Can my proxy or DNS settings interfere with OneDrive sync?

Yes. Outdated DNS caches or incorrect proxy settings can block OneDrive from establishing a secure connection to the cloud. Resetting these using administrative network commands (like ipconfig /flushdns and netsh winsock reset) often resolves the block.

Does file size affect the chances of a sync error?

While large files can naturally take longer to transfer over a slow connection, tiny files (like a 15.9 KB document) getting stuck usually indicates a permission error, an invalid file character, or a dropped network protocol rather than a bandwidth issue.

Document & File Issues