Office Apps Freezing

Fix Microsoft Office Freezing Due to SharePoint and OneDrive Sync Issues

Guest Writer Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

Microsoft Office applications frequently freeze when working on multiple Word or Excel documents that are synchronized to File Explorer via SharePoint and OneDrive, with file changes failing to update for other users.

How to Fix Office Freezing Caused by SharePoint and OneDrive Sync

Product: Microsoft Office, OneDrive, SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user is opening and editing multiple SharePoint-hosted documents simultaneously from a local File Explorer folder synced via the OneDrive client.
Observed behavior: Word and Excel freeze during use, and local edits do not reliably sync back to SharePoint for other users to see, despite the OneDrive client showing no visible synchronization errors.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify that your OneDrive client is actively running in the background and signed into the correct Microsoft 365 account.

Solution 1Recommended

Reduce Open Documents and Force a OneDrive Sync Refresh

Limiting the number of simultaneously active files reduces memory strain, while pausing and resuming the OneDrive client can resolve hidden synchronization lock-ups.

When too many Office documents are open concurrently, Microsoft 365's continuous background saving features can conflict with the OneDrive sync client. This heavy resource load often results in the Office applications freezing and the OneDrive client silently failing to push updates.

Close unnecessary documents

Save and close any Word or Excel files you are not actively editing to free up system memory and release file locks.

Check OneDrive status

Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows taskbar system tray to view the current list of active sync activities.

Pause and resume synchronization

Click the gear icon (Settings) in the OneDrive menu, select 'Pause syncing', choose '2 hours', and then immediately click 'Resume syncing' to force the client to reconnect to SharePoint.

Resolve file conflicts

Look for any files marked with a red 'X' in the OneDrive panel. Click on them and follow the on-screen prompts to resolve version conflicts.

Reduce Open Documents and Force a OneDrive Sync Refresh

Pro Tip: Always make sure to manually save your work locally before forcing a OneDrive sync refresh to prevent accidental data loss in case of a version conflict.

Solution 2

Edit Documents Using Office Online Web Apps

Bypassing the local OneDrive sync client prevents desktop application freezing and ensures changes are saved directly to the SharePoint cloud.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Smoother, Freeze-Free Editing Experience

If heavy background synchronization causes Microsoft Office to freeze, WPS Office offers a lightweight, high-performance alternative. It features an intuitive all-in-one tabbed interface that manages multiple documents effortlessly without straining your system resources.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
2. Open your synced files: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx or .xlsx files directly from your synced SharePoint or OneDrive folders.
3. Edit without freezing: Enjoy lightweight, lag-free editing even with multiple tabs and complex spreadsheets open.

Lightweight architecture drastically reduces system resource usage, preventing app freezing.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Opens multiple documents in a single window using a familiar tabbed interface.Completely free to use with robust offline and cloud editing capabilities.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive not show errors when my SharePoint files fail to sync?

The OneDrive client can sometimes get stuck in a 'processing' loop when overwhelmed by large files, network interruptions, or multiple active file locks from Office applications. In this state, it stops uploading but hasn't technically failed, so it doesn't trigger an error notification.

Does having multiple Excel files open simultaneously affect OneDrive performance?

Yes. Microsoft Office places continuous file locks and attempts background auto-saves on open documents. Having many files open at once forces OneDrive to constantly check for changes, which can bottleneck system resources and cause synchronization delays or freezing.

Can I edit SharePoint files locally without using the OneDrive sync client?

Yes. Instead of syncing the entire library via OneDrive, you can navigate to the SharePoint library in your web browser, select a file, and choose 'Open in Desktop App'. This opens the file directly from the cloud without relying on background folder synchronization.

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