SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix Word and SharePoint Co-authoring Conflicts

Olivia Miller Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to resolve recurring co-authoring conflicts and upload failures when collaboratively editing documents.

How to Fix Recurring Word and SharePoint Co-authoring Conflicts

Product: Microsoft Word, SharePoint, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on and editing SharePoint documents via locally synchronized OneDrive folders.
Observed behavior: Word displays co-authoring conflicts and upload failures, despite using current Office versions and maintaining a reliable network connection.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and that all users collaborating on the document are utilizing the most updated version of the Microsoft Office suite.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear the Office Document Cache and Verify AutoSave

Clearing the cache forces Word to fetch the latest version of the document from SharePoint, preventing conflicts caused by outdated local temporary files.

In many cases, Word attempts to open a locally synchronized cached copy instead of real-time syncing with SharePoint. Configuring Word to automatically delete these cached files upon closing can prevent most synchronization conflicts.

Verify AutoSave is enabled

Open the affected document in Microsoft Word and look at the top-left corner of the window to confirm that the 'AutoSave' toggle is switched on.

Navigate to Save Options

Click on 'File' in the top ribbon, select 'Options' at the bottom of the left menu, and then click on the 'Save' tab in the Word Options dialog box.

Enable Cache Deletion

Scroll down to the 'Cache Settings' section and check the box next to 'Delete files from the Office Document Cache when they are closed'.

Delete existing cached files

Click the 'Delete cached files' button in the same section to manually clear out any existing cache that might be causing the current conflicts, then click 'OK' to save your changes.

Clear the Office Document Cache and Verify AutoSave

Version Check: You can verify your exact Office version by navigating to File > Account. Ensuring all users are on the identical update channel can further reduce co-authoring mismatches.

Solution 2

Open Documents Directly from SharePoint Online

Bypassing the locally synchronized OneDrive folders reduces the chances of Word opening an unsynchronized local copy.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Seamless Collaboration with WPS Office

If you frequently encounter complex synchronization issues and co-authoring conflicts in Microsoft Word and SharePoint, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with robust cloud collaboration features built right in.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer, follow the simple on-screen instructions, and launch WPS Writer.
3. Collaborate in Real-Time: Save your document directly to WPS Cloud, generate a sharing link, and collaborate with your team without sync conflicts.

Fully compatible with major Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Built-in WPS Cloud allows seamless real-time co-authoring without complex folder synchronization conflicts.Free, lightweight, and features a familiar user interface for an incredibly easy migration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do co-authoring conflicts happen in OneDrive synced folders?

Conflicts typically occur because Word sometimes prioritizes loading a locally cached version of the file from your computer instead of continuously syncing real-time changes directly with the SharePoint server, leading to version mismatches among users.

How do I know if AutoSave is actively working in Word?

When working on a cloud-stored document, look at the top-left corner of the Word interface. The AutoSave toggle switch should be in the 'On' position, and you will periodically see 'Saving...' appear in the title bar.

Will deleting the Office Document Cache erase my actual files?

No, deleting the Office Document Cache only removes the temporary local files that Office creates to help load documents faster. Your actual documents remain safely stored on SharePoint or OneDrive.

Document & File Issues