OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Slow OneDrive Download and Upload Speeds

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 28, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is experiencing unusually slow file transfer speeds on OneDrive, capping at around 2.5 MB/s despite utilizing a fast 500 Mbps fiber internet connection.

How to Fix Slow OneDrive Download and Upload Speeds

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Uploading or downloading large files, such as Outlook PST data or heavy media folders, to or from the OneDrive cloud.
Observed behavior: Transfer speeds stall at approximately 2.5 MB/s and uploads are occasionally interrupted. The behavior strongly indicates server-side throttling or hidden bandwidth limits, especially since other cloud services operate at full speed.

Before you start

Before adjusting any settings, run an online internet speed test to confirm your local network is operating normally and temporarily pause any background applications that might be consuming heavy bandwidth.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable OneDrive Bandwidth Limits

OneDrive includes built-in network settings that may artificially restrict upload and download rates. Turning these off can immediately restore normal transfer speeds.

By default, OneDrive might manage your upload and download speeds to prevent the application from consuming all your available bandwidth. Ensuring these limits are completely disabled is the first step in troubleshooting slow sync speeds.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows taskbar system tray. Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the popup menu and select 'Settings'.

Access Network Settings

In the Settings window, navigate to the 'Sync and backup' tab on the left sidebar, then click on 'Advanced settings' to expand the network options.

Remove Rate Limits

Scroll down to the 'Limit download rate' and 'Limit upload rate' options. Ensure both toggles are switched off so OneDrive can utilize maximum available bandwidth.

Restart OneDrive: After disabling the bandwidth limits, right-click the OneDrive icon, select 'Quit OneDrive', and reopen the application from the Start menu to apply the changes effectively.

Solution 2

Bypass Client Throttling Using OneDrive Web

The OneDrive desktop client sometimes struggles with very large or actively used files like Outlook PSTs. Testing transfers via the web interface helps determine if the desktop app is the bottleneck.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft Support for Tenant Throttling

If speeds remain rigidly capped at 2.5 MB/s across all devices and networks, Microsoft may be applying tenant-level throttling to your account.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Cloud Experience

If OneDrive's rigid bandwidth limits and persistent sync throttling are hindering your workflow, consider transitioning to WPS Office. It provides a comprehensive, lightweight productivity suite paired with fast, reliable cloud storage that avoids aggressive bandwidth capping.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install and Sign In: Run the downloaded setup file. Once installed, sign up for a free WPS account to instantly activate your high-speed WPS Cloud space.
3. Migrate Your Documents: Simply drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office files into WPS Office. They will open flawlessly with all original formatting preserved.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, allowing you to open, edit, and save DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files effortlessly.Includes integrated WPS Cloud storage that offers fast, reliable syncing without the aggressive background throttling seen in other services.Extremely lightweight installation that consumes minimal system resources and RAM compared to Microsoft 365.Free to use with an intuitive, tabbed user interface, making the transition seamless for former Microsoft Office users.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive throttle my transfer speed to exactly 2.5 MB/s?

Microsoft utilizes background server-side throttling to distribute bandwidth fairly among millions of users and maintain server health. When transferring large quantities of data or exceptionally large files, your connection may be intentionally capped to around 2.5 MB/s regardless of your local internet speed.

Can uploading large Outlook PST files cause OneDrive to slow down?

Yes. Very large files that are frequently modified, such as active Outlook PST databases, can cause continuous sync loops. The sync engine spends excessive time scanning for block-level changes, which drastically slows down overall transfer speeds and can interrupt the upload entirely.

Will a VPN affect my OneDrive synchronization speeds?

Yes. Routing your traffic through a VPN adds encryption overhead and routes your data through external servers, which can introduce latency and severely reduce your throughput. Temporarily disabling your VPN may resolve artificial speed limits.

How can I completely reset the OneDrive application on Windows?

If your sync is stuck or unusually slow, resetting the app can help. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, paste '%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset', and press Enter. The OneDrive icon will disappear and reappear after a minute or two.

Document & File Issues