A onedrive for business file or folder never finishes synchronization

Important: 
Support for the old OneDrive sync app (groove.exe) with SharePoint Online will end on January 11, 2021.
Learn more about what you need to do.

Problem

This article contains information that applies when you use the previous OneDrive sync app (groove.exe).

Note: This article applies only to the previous OneDrive for work or schoolsync app (groove.exe). In most cases, we recommend that you use the newer OneDrive sync app (onedrive.exe) instead. Which OneDrive app?

You use OneDrive for work or school to sync a Microsoft SharePoint library to your computer. When you view files in the local folder where files are synchronized, some folders or files continue to display the blue syncing indicator instead of the green check mark that indicates a successful sync. This behavior continues to occur, even after you wait for a long time.

Solution

There are several conditions that can cause a continuous sync issue. To resolve this issue, review the files for which you experience the issue to identify the potential cause.   
 

• You encountered one of the following restrictions or limitations:

  • The number of items that can be synchronized

  • The size limit for syncing files

  • Invalid characters in a file name or folder name

  • The character limit for a SharePoint file name, folder name, or path
    
    For more information about the restrictions and limitations above, go to Restrictions and limitations when you sync SharePoint libraries to your computer through OneDrive.

• A file contains a link to another file, and that link was broken by relocation. For example, the folder may contain a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation that contains a link to a video file. Or, a webpage that was saved as a file may link to content in other files.

• Local disk space to process the files is lacking.

• Older versions only: A file in the library has no data. Files that contain no data are 0 KB.

• The local path limit of 260 characters was exceeded. This includes counting from the root drive. For example, C:\.

If the sync still doesn't complete after you try to resolve the issue, you may have to repair sync connections. For more information about how to do this, go to Repair sync connections with OneDrive.

More information

For more information, go to the following Microsoft websites:

• Invalid file or folder name characters in OneDrive

• Sync OneDrive or SharePoint site libraries to your computer

Still need help? Go to Microsoft Community.