Excel and Word 365 upload pending

Leave the affected Word or Excel file open with AutoSave turned on so Microsoft 365 can retry the pending upload, and save a separate local copy before troubleshooting if the message persists.

Protect the pending changes

1. In Word or Excel, select File → Save a Copy.
2. Save the copy to a local folder such as Documents, using a different filename.
3. Keep the original cloud file open. Do not discard changes or clear the Office cache while it contains the only copy of your edits.

For Word desktop, Microsoft’s documented response to Upload Pending is to leave Word open with AutoSave enabled; it retries saving in the background until successful.^1^

Retry and resolve the upload

1. Confirm that Windows has a working Internet connection.
2. In Word or Excel, open File → Open → Files Needing Attention.
3. Select the affected file and use the available action:
   • Upload to retry the pending changes.
   • Sign In if the app reports an authentication problem.
   • Open to Resolve if the upload has failed or a conflict must be handled.
   • Save a Copy if uploading still fails.
4. Keep the app open until the pending indicator disappears.

The old standalone Office Upload Center has been removed from Microsoft 365; upload problems are now handled under File → Open → Files Needing Attention. Pending changes normally upload automatically when the server becomes reachable again.^2^

If the error continues

• All Word and Excel cloud files are affected: test another network if available. Persistent delays across all documents can be related to connection speed or network load.^3^
• Only one or two files are affected: use the locally saved copy to protect the edits, reopen the original from OneDrive or SharePoint, and transfer the changes back. For Word conflicts, select Resolve, review each conflict, and accept or reject the changes.^1^
• The queue reports “Upload blocked” or requests sign-in: verify that Office and OneDrive use the Microsoft account that owns the file or has edit permission. Account or expired-credential problems can prevent OneDrive uploads.^4^
• The files upload successfully in Word or Excel for the web but not in the desktop apps: retain the local backup, then repair the Office installation. Do not delete cached files until every pending edit has been saved elsewhere.

If the same server-busy error remains across multiple files and networks, check Microsoft 365 service status or contact Microsoft Support, providing the exact error, whether the files are in OneDrive or SharePoint, and whether the web apps can save them.

References

1. [Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/word/troubleshoot-common-coauthoring-errors#automatic-refresh)
2. Microsoft Office Upload Center | Microsoft Support
3. Why am I getting the message "Contacting the server for information"? | Microsoft Support
4. Fix problems uploading files on the OneDrive website | Microsoft Support