ONEDRIVE (personal) sync pausing randomly

Question

ONEDRIVE (personal) sync pausing randomly

Max Boulton 30

My onedrive has suddenly started to randomly pause synching. I uninstalled and reinstalled, but the issue is still there. I have to keep manually telling it to resume sync. All the recommended checks have been made and nothing has changed in my set up in terms of wifi, internet, settings etc etc. Is this a known issue?

Jez 5 Reputation points

2026-10-22T14:10:26.08+00:00

I have the same issue and have narrowed it down to Firefox for my system. Closing Firefox down and resuming onedrive allows it to stay active, but as soon as I start Firefox, Onedrive goes into paused state again.
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-22T21:35:06.3733333+00:00

Maybe a Firefox privacy extension is blocking OneDrive.
Jez 5 Reputation points

2026-10-23T07:18:59.06+00:00

Its the current firefox version as the issue occurs on a clean install, Firefox Nightly resolves the issue
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-25T05:02:53.9133333+00:00

I have the same issue with Chrome.
OneDrive works perfectly while Chrome is closed, but as soon as I open it OneDrive pauses sync.
Micke 0 Reputation points

2026-10-25T10:23:09.8166667+00:00

Tried everything and OD keeps pausing mid sync after a minute or so. The only way to keep it syncing is having the transfer window open but that's not a solution because it can't be pinned open or moved to another screen. But it indicates there's somethin wrong in the app itself, not settings or network. Can also confirm that after a reboot OD does not pause until Chrome is started, then OD keeps pausing even after Chrome has been totally shutdown.
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-25T21:21:38.4866667+00:00

Open Chrome in Incognito and see if the problem occurs. If it doesn't, a Chrome extension could be blocking OneDrive.
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-25T21:23:10.2533333+00:00

Happens even with every extension turned off
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-25T22:07:36.6733333+00:00

Are you blocking the OneDrive app in any VPN settings? A browser can use a VPN that blocks OneDrive.

Ad blockers, malware, antivirus, and security apps can be set to block OneDrive.
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-25T22:12:47.17+00:00

I have no VPN, no AntiVirus besides Windows Defender, I disabled every extension, fully closed Chrome, then re-opened it straight into an Incognito tab.
Still pauses OneDrive sync.
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-25T22:15:22.5733333+00:00

Perform a system restore to a point before the problem started. Do you know how to do that and wish to?
Browny 15 Reputation points

2026-10-31T00:20:26.1166667+00:00

For me I found a solution. windows settings - Gaming - Game mode - Turn off.
Browny 15 Reputation points

2026-10-31T00:20:33.57+00:00

For me I found a solution. windows settings - Gaming - Game mode - Turn off.
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T00:24:15.4966667+00:00

Turning game mode off worked.
It was one of the things I tried originally that didn't work, but turns out I just had to restart Chrome after turning it off.
Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-31T07:47:58.42+00:00

Yes, it turned out to be the game mode setting, which was never an issue before. Thank you all for your suggestions.
Micke 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T07:54:58.39+00:00

Seems to be working for me now, too. This is the exact kind of thing Windows should warn you about: 'Your files aren't syncing right now. Turn off Game Mode to resume syncing.' With AI everywhere these days, you'd think we'd finally get messages that actually make sense instead of just cryptic error codes...
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T07:58:35.7866667+00:00

I mean, it's not even about communication, I feel like Game Mode shouldn't pause any background processes unless you... have a game open.
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T08:05:51.6633333+00:00

It seems Windows automatically tagged Chrome as a game for some reason. Managed to fix it while still having Game Mode enabled by pressing Win+G, Settings>More Settings>General, and unchecking "Remember This as a Game"
Micke 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T08:14:12.5166667+00:00

I'm starting to wonder if Windows has begun flagging regular apps as games. Lately, the ShadowPlay banner keeps randomly popping up on my desktop even when I'm not gaming at all—browsers seem to be a culprit here. I rarely reboot my PC and mostly rely on hibernation, so once an app gets misidentified as a game, the issue persists until I restart Windows.
Browny 15 Reputation points

2026-10-31T09:50:09.63+00:00

For me, not only Firefox caused the paused OneDvie. Also If I opened Windows Setting. It must be some bug. Not MS tagging the apps as games. Games tagging themselves. But Im sure Windows setting page shouldnt be tagged as "game" :)
AJAY B AGARWAL 0 Reputation points

2026-11-02T13:50:16.0533333+00:00

Wasted whole day last week figuring out what is wrong. Uninstalled onedrive, reseted it, relinked it. Uninstalled windows update. Turned HW acceleration off and other things in chrome. Nothing worked.

Finally, today I just turned off Game mode and IT WORKED. So finally all good. Thanks to the comments above for this information.
Steve 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T12:03:55.3366667+00:00

I was experiencing the same issue with OneDrive Personal repeatedly pausing sync for no apparent reason. Work OneDrive on the same PC was unaffected.

What I observed:

OneDrive Personal would begin processing changes normally, then suddenly pause.

Resuming sync caused it to start processing again, but it would eventually pause again.

Metered Connection pause was disabled.

Resetting OneDrive did not resolve the issue.

Closing Google Chrome consistently stopped the pausing.

Chrome was not signed into the same Microsoft account as OneDrive.

I then noticed that Windows Game Bar/Game Mode had Google Chrome set as the application associated with game capture. Chrome was not actively being recorded, but it was the application Game Bar was prepared to capture.

I changed the capture target away from Chrome and also disabled Windows Game Mode.

Since making those changes, OneDrive Personal has remained syncing normally, including with Chrome open. It remained stable overnight.

This may not apply to everyone, but if OneDrive Personal pauses whenever Chrome is running, it may be worth checking:

Settings → Gaming → Game Mode

and Xbox Game Bar/capture settings to see whether Chrome or another browser is being treated as a game/capture application.

This appears to have resolved the issue for me.
Michael 0 Reputation points

2026-11-09T17:41:54.2233333+00:00

I noticed that when I tried to take a screenshot with the alt + Print screen keys it became paused. I manually unpaused it but it wouldn't stay unpaused after that.

4 answers

Your answer

Jez 5 Reputation points

2026-10-22T14:10:26.08+00:00

I have the same issue and have narrowed it down to Firefox for my system. Closing Firefox down and resuming onedrive allows it to stay active, but as soon as I start Firefox, Onedrive goes into paused state again.
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-22T21:35:06.3733333+00:00

Maybe a Firefox privacy extension is blocking OneDrive.
Jez 5 Reputation points

2026-10-23T07:18:59.06+00:00

Its the current firefox version as the issue occurs on a clean install, Firefox Nightly resolves the issue
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-25T05:02:53.9133333+00:00

I have the same issue with Chrome.
OneDrive works perfectly while Chrome is closed, but as soon as I open it OneDrive pauses sync.
Micke 0 Reputation points

2026-10-25T10:23:09.8166667+00:00

Tried everything and OD keeps pausing mid sync after a minute or so. The only way to keep it syncing is having the transfer window open but that's not a solution because it can't be pinned open or moved to another screen. But it indicates there's somethin wrong in the app itself, not settings or network. Can also confirm that after a reboot OD does not pause until Chrome is started, then OD keeps pausing even after Chrome has been totally shutdown.
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-25T21:21:38.4866667+00:00

Open Chrome in Incognito and see if the problem occurs. If it doesn't, a Chrome extension could be blocking OneDrive.
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-25T21:23:10.2533333+00:00

Happens even with every extension turned off
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-25T22:07:36.6733333+00:00

Are you blocking the OneDrive app in any VPN settings? A browser can use a VPN that blocks OneDrive.

Ad blockers, malware, antivirus, and security apps can be set to block OneDrive.
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-25T22:12:47.17+00:00

I have no VPN, no AntiVirus besides Windows Defender, I disabled every extension, fully closed Chrome, then re-opened it straight into an Incognito tab.
Still pauses OneDrive sync.
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-25T22:15:22.5733333+00:00

Perform a system restore to a point before the problem started. Do you know how to do that and wish to?
Browny 15 Reputation points

2026-10-31T00:20:26.1166667+00:00

For me I found a solution. windows settings - Gaming - Game mode - Turn off.
Browny 15 Reputation points

2026-10-31T00:20:33.57+00:00

For me I found a solution. windows settings - Gaming - Game mode - Turn off.
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T00:24:15.4966667+00:00

Turning game mode off worked.
It was one of the things I tried originally that didn't work, but turns out I just had to restart Chrome after turning it off.
Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-31T07:47:58.42+00:00

Yes, it turned out to be the game mode setting, which was never an issue before. Thank you all for your suggestions.
Micke 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T07:54:58.39+00:00

Seems to be working for me now, too. This is the exact kind of thing Windows should warn you about: 'Your files aren't syncing right now. Turn off Game Mode to resume syncing.' With AI everywhere these days, you'd think we'd finally get messages that actually make sense instead of just cryptic error codes...
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T07:58:35.7866667+00:00

I mean, it's not even about communication, I feel like Game Mode shouldn't pause any background processes unless you... have a game open.
Artur Machado 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T08:05:51.6633333+00:00

It seems Windows automatically tagged Chrome as a game for some reason. Managed to fix it while still having Game Mode enabled by pressing Win+G, Settings>More Settings>General, and unchecking "Remember This as a Game"
Micke 0 Reputation points

2026-10-31T08:14:12.5166667+00:00

I'm starting to wonder if Windows has begun flagging regular apps as games. Lately, the ShadowPlay banner keeps randomly popping up on my desktop even when I'm not gaming at all—browsers seem to be a culprit here. I rarely reboot my PC and mostly rely on hibernation, so once an app gets misidentified as a game, the issue persists until I restart Windows.
Browny 15 Reputation points

2026-10-31T09:50:09.63+00:00

For me, not only Firefox caused the paused OneDvie. Also If I opened Windows Setting. It must be some bug. Not MS tagging the apps as games. Games tagging themselves. But Im sure Windows setting page shouldnt be tagged as "game" :)
AJAY B AGARWAL 0 Reputation points

2026-11-02T13:50:16.0533333+00:00

Wasted whole day last week figuring out what is wrong. Uninstalled onedrive, reseted it, relinked it. Uninstalled windows update. Turned HW acceleration off and other things in chrome. Nothing worked.

Finally, today I just turned off Game mode and IT WORKED. So finally all good. Thanks to the comments above for this information.
Steve 0 Reputation points

2026-11-06T12:03:55.3366667+00:00

I was experiencing the same issue with OneDrive Personal repeatedly pausing sync for no apparent reason. Work OneDrive on the same PC was unaffected.

What I observed:

OneDrive Personal would begin processing changes normally, then suddenly pause.

Resuming sync caused it to start processing again, but it would eventually pause again.

Metered Connection pause was disabled.

Resetting OneDrive did not resolve the issue.

Closing Google Chrome consistently stopped the pausing.

Chrome was not signed into the same Microsoft account as OneDrive.

I then noticed that Windows Game Bar/Game Mode had Google Chrome set as the application associated with game capture. Chrome was not actively being recorded, but it was the application Game Bar was prepared to capture.

I changed the capture target away from Chrome and also disabled Windows Game Mode.

Since making those changes, OneDrive Personal has remained syncing normally, including with Chrome open. It remained stable overnight.

This may not apply to everyone, but if OneDrive Personal pauses whenever Chrome is running, it may be worth checking:

Settings → Gaming → Game Mode

and Xbox Game Bar/capture settings to see whether Chrome or another browser is being treated as a game/capture application.

This appears to have resolved the issue for me.
Michael 0 Reputation points

2026-11-09T17:41:54.2233333+00:00

I noticed that when I tried to take a screenshot with the alt + Print screen keys it became paused. I manually unpaused it but it wouldn't stay unpaused after that.

Answer 1

Matúš Kráľ 0

Hello guys, this is what actually fix the issue with chrome + onedrive:

chrome://flags/#enable-quic

set to disabled and relaunch thank me later

gemini suggested this so not my time to shine but AI

0 comments

Answer 2

Viggo Roeggen 0

Onedrive paused when Google Chrome was opened.

Solution that worked for me: Go to Settings/Gaming/Game Mode and turn it off.

0 comments

Answer 3

Jeronimo Fuerte 48,705 Independent Advisor

OneDrive can automatically pause synchronization when Windows enters battery saver mode or connects to a metered network. Could you please confirm whether you've checked OneDrive > Settings > Sync and backup > Preferences > Pause syncing when this device is in battery saver mode and ensured that option is disabled? Also, does OneDrive display the actual "Syncing paused" message when this happens, or does it simply stop uploading files? Could you share the OneDrive version listed under Settings > About and confirm whether you're using Windows 10 or Windows 11?

Could try resetting the OneDrive synchronization client, which Microsoft recommends for persistent synchronization issues. Press Win + R, enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset, and press Enter.

If OneDrive does not restart automatically, open it from the Start menu.

Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-21T08:35:29.33+00:00

Thank you. I am on a desktop. No battery saver mode option available. Version is OneDrive device ID: 15730588-c275-e5a4-952a-b98966a4db65

OneDrive user ID: 996fceb1b3f231ac

OneDrive version: Build 26.189.0928.0007 (64-bit)

It just shows a small pause icon on the grey cloud and says ' sync paused. I then have to click on the cloud icon and manually resume sync.
Jeronimo Fuerte 48,705 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-22T00:26:17.75+00:00

As an additional diagnostic test, could you please connect your computer to a different network, such as your phone's mobile hotspot, and check whether OneDrive continues pausing automatically? This is only until the error repeats or you feel it should already occur. Before testing, temporarily disable any VPN or proxy connection, if applicable, and ensure the OneDrive option to pause on metered networks remains disabled, since Windows may identify a mobile hotspot as a metered connection. Microsoft recommends testing an alternative network to help identify connectivity restrictions affecting OneDrive. If synchronization works normally on the hotspot but pauses on your regular connection, this could indicate a network-specific issue.
Jeronimo Fuerte 48,705 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-22T23:18:40.6933333+00:00

I suggest performing a clean boot of Windows to determine whether a third-party application or background service is interfering with OneDrive. Microsoft provides instructions here:

https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/startup-boot/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows.

Once Windows starts in the clean boot environment, launch OneDrive and check whether synchronization pauses again. If the issue disappears, you can gradually re-enable the disabled services and startup applications to identify the conflict.
Jeronimo Fuerte 48,705 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-23T19:29:42.9933333+00:00

Have you tested running a clean boot?
Tom 5 Reputation points

2026-10-27T20:51:03.67+00:00

The command seemed to fix it for me edit - nope, paused
Stefan Blom 357.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-31T14:58:29.4066667+00:00

@Tom

If none of the suggestions in this thread have helped, please start your own thread. Use the Ask a question link. Good luck.

Answer 4

Craig Long 19,015

If you are on a metered network, go to the white cloud icon on the taskbar > Settings > Sync and backup > Preferences and make sure Pause syncing when this device is on a metered network is set to OFF.

Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-21T08:31:22.7166667+00:00

. Thank you. I am not on a metered network and the toggle is off. Problem persists.
Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-21T08:32:30.46+00:00

Thank you. I am not on a metered network and the toggle is set to off. Problem persists.
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-21T22:04:07.7966667+00:00

Click the white cloud icon, then select "View online". In the window that opens, go to the bottom left and check that you have adequate space in your OneDrive account.
Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-22T08:38:16.1+00:00

Thank you. Plenty of space left - more than 500GB
Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-22T08:40:02.04+00:00

Thank you. Not on a metered network and toggle is already set to off. Changing to a hotspot makes no difference. It seems that I am somehow being disconnected.
Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-22T14:14:42.7333333+00:00

I have noticed that if I use Solitaire onedrive pauses. Not sure why that happens.
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-22T21:30:11.56+00:00

To get the best help, please contact OneDrive support directly here: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=528676

You will see a box like the one below. If you don't see it at first, click on the link again.
Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-23T08:48:23.76+00:00

Thanks. Fifefox is not installed on my desktop.
Max Boulton 30 Reputation points

2026-10-23T08:53:42.5433333+00:00

Just emailed onedrive support. Thank you
Craig Long 19,015 Reputation points

2026-10-23T22:17:16.4866667+00:00

Good luck, Max.