Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Upload Blocked Errors on a Shared Mac Folder

Steve K Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users encounter 'Upload blocked' or permission-verification alerts when attempting to edit and sync files in a shared OneDrive folder, despite having the correct permissions.

Fix OneDrive Upload Blocked Errors on a Shared Mac Folder in Office

Product: Office for Mac / OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Editing files (such as XLSX or DOCX) locally via Office for Mac within a shared OneDrive folder.
Observed behavior: The Office application displays an 'Upload blocked' error or continually requests permission verification, preventing the file from automatically syncing back to the shared folder.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection and verify that you are signed into the correct Microsoft account with Edit access to the shared OneDrive folder.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify SharePoint Permissions and Re-share the Folder

Re-establishing the folder's permission settings from the owner's side can resolve underlying access inheritance conflicts causing the block.

Sometimes SharePoint Online permissions fail to sync correctly with the local OneDrive client on Mac. Having the folder owner reset these permissions often restores normal sync behavior.

Verify Inherited Permissions

Ask the folder owner to log into SharePoint Online or OneDrive on the web and verify that folder permissions are correctly inherited and haven't been altered.

Remove and Re-grant Edit Access

Have the owner remove your current Edit access, wait a few minutes, and then re-grant the Edit permission to your account.

Test with a New Shared Folder

If the issue persists, ask the owner to copy the affected files to a completely new folder and share that new folder with you to test if the upload block is cleared.

Verify SharePoint Permissions and Re-share the Folder

Try Open in App: Before proceeding to complex fixes, try opening the files from the web browser by selecting 'Open in App'. Check if AutoSave is enabled when the file opens in Office for Mac.

Solution 2

Reset the OneDrive Sync Client for Mac

Resetting the OneDrive client clears local application caches and forces a full sync, which can resolve stubborn upload blocks.

Solution 3

Test File Sync on a New macOS User Profile

Creating a new macOS profile helps determine if the upload block is caused by corrupted preferences in your current local user account.

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Experience Seamless File Editing with WPS Office

If you continue to experience frustrating upload blocks and sync errors in Office for Mac, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that handles standard Office formats flawlessly, helping you work without complex permission bottlenecks.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for macOS.
2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the application, then launch WPS Office.
3. Open Your Files: Sign in and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents directly in WPS Office to enjoy a seamless editing experience.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX).Built-in robust cloud storage for reliable and smooth file syncing.Lightweight application that runs effortlessly and quickly on macOS.Free to download and use for all your essential daily productivity tasks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office for Mac say my upload is blocked when I have edit permissions?

This error usually occurs due to a mismatch between cached credentials on your Mac, out-of-sync SharePoint permissions, or a corrupted state within your local OneDrive sync client.

Will resetting OneDrive delete any of my local files?

No, resetting the OneDrive sync client will not delete your personal files. It simply clears the application's cache and forces the client to re-establish a connection and sync all files from scratch.

Does using 'Open in App' bypass local sync issues?

Yes, sometimes initiating the file open process directly from the OneDrive web interface forces the desktop application to authenticate freshly, temporarily bypassing local client glitches.

How do I know if the upload block is specific to my Mac user profile?

By creating a new macOS user profile and testing the OneDrive sync there, you can isolate the issue. If the files sync correctly on the new profile, it confirms that your original user profile has corrupted cache or settings.

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