Microsoft To Do not syncing since mid-August 2026 – lists appear but tasks are missing on all devices

Otto Reinstaller 0 Reputation points
2026-09-17T07:52:52.0566667+00:00

Hello,

I have been experiencing a persistent synchronization issue with Microsoft To Do since approximately mid-August 2026.

The issue affects the same Microsoft account across multiple devices, browsers and completely different internet connections.

The important point is that list groups and list names are sometimes retrieved successfully, but the actual tasks inside the lists are missing or never load.

Symptoms

Microsoft To Do for Windows

  • Synchronization fails.
  • The app shows a synchronization error.
  • Signing out and signing back in did not solve the problem.

Microsoft To Do Web

  • The web app often remains stuck at: “We’re getting your task list ready…”
  • The task lists do not load completely.

Firefox Private Browsing

  • Some list groups and list names become visible.
  • However, the actual tasks are still missing or the lists remain empty.

iPhone / Safari

  • Tested using mobile data only, with Wi-Fi disabled.
  • All or most list groups and list names are visible.
  • However, the lists themselves appear empty and the tasks are missing.

Tests already performed

I have already tested the following:

  • Signed out of Microsoft To Do and signed in again
  • Microsoft To Do Windows app
  • Microsoft To Do Web
  • Firefox Private Browsing / Incognito mode
  • Safari on iPhone
  • Home internet connection
  • Mobile data connection with Wi-Fi completely disabled

The problem therefore occurs independently of:

  • Windows installation
  • Browser
  • Browser cache/cookies
  • Device
  • Home network
  • Router/DNS
  • Internet provider

For this reason, a purely local application or network problem seems unlikely.

Expected behavior

All existing Microsoft To Do lists and their tasks should load and synchronize normally across Windows, Web and mobile devices.

Actual behavior

Microsoft To Do appears to retrieve part of the account structure, such as:

  • list groups
  • list names

but the tasks themselves are not retrieved.

On some devices the application remains stuck while loading the task lists. On others, the lists are visible but empty.

Timeline

The issue has existed for several weeks and most likely started around mid-August 2026.

This is therefore not a temporary problem that started today.

Important data concern

I have not reset the Microsoft To Do app, deleted local application data, deleted lists or recreated the account data, because I am concerned about potentially losing tasks that may still exist locally or on Microsoft's servers.

Before performing any destructive troubleshooting, I would like to know whether my complete To Do data is still present and intact on the server.

My assumption / question

Because the same issue occurs:

  • in the Windows app
  • in the web application
  • in a private browser session
  • on an iPhone
  • over a completely separate mobile network

it appears that this could be an account-specific or server-side Microsoft To Do synchronization/data retrieval issue.

Could someone please advise whether this is a known Microsoft To Do issue affecting some accounts since August 2026?

More importantly, is there a way to have Microsoft check the server-side synchronization state / task data associated with my Microsoft account?

If this cannot be diagnosed through the Community, I would appreciate information on how this can be escalated to the appropriate Microsoft To Do / Outlook / Exchange backend support team.

I can also provide screenshots showing:

  1. the synchronization error in the Windows app
  2. the web app stuck on “We’re getting your task list ready…”
  3. list groups appearing while the actual tasks remain missing

Thank you. Hello,

I have been experiencing a persistent synchronization issue with Microsoft To Do since approximately mid-August 2026.

The issue affects the same Microsoft account across multiple devices, browsers and completely different internet connections.

The important point is that list groups and list names are sometimes retrieved successfully, but the actual tasks inside the lists are missing or never load.

Symptoms

Microsoft To Do for Windows

  • Synchronization fails.
  • The app shows a synchronization error.
  • Signing out and signing back in did not solve the problem.

Microsoft To Do Web

  • The web app often remains stuck at:
    “We’re getting your task list ready…”
  • The task lists do not load completely.

Firefox Private Browsing

  • Some list groups and list names become visible.
  • However, the actual tasks are still missing or the lists remain empty.

iPhone / Safari

  • Tested using mobile data only, with Wi-Fi disabled.
  • All or most list groups and list names are visible.
  • However, the lists themselves appear empty and the tasks are missing.

Tests already performed

I have already tested the following:

  • Signed out of Microsoft To Do and signed in again
  • Microsoft To Do Windows app
  • Microsoft To Do Web
  • Firefox Private Browsing / Incognito mode
  • Safari on iPhone
  • Home internet connection
  • Mobile data connection with Wi-Fi completely disabled

The problem therefore occurs independently of:

  • Windows installation
  • Browser
  • Browser cache/cookies
  • Device
  • Home network
  • Router/DNS
  • Internet provider

For this reason, a purely local application or network problem seems unlikely.

Expected behavior

All existing Microsoft To Do lists and their tasks should load and synchronize normally across Windows, Web and mobile devices.

Actual behavior

Microsoft To Do appears to retrieve part of the account structure, such as:

  • list groups
  • list names

but the tasks themselves are not retrieved.

On some devices the application remains stuck while loading the task lists. On others, the lists are visible but empty.

Timeline

The issue has existed for several weeks and most likely started around mid-August 2026.

This is therefore not a temporary problem that started today.

Important data concern

I have not reset the Microsoft To Do app, deleted local application data, deleted lists or recreated the account data, because I am concerned about potentially losing tasks that may still exist locally or on Microsoft's servers.

Before performing any destructive troubleshooting, I would like to know whether my complete To Do data is still present and intact on the server.

My assumption / question

Because the same issue occurs:

  • in the Windows app
  • in the web application
  • in a private browser session
  • on an iPhone
  • over a completely separate mobile network

it appears that this could be an account-specific or server-side Microsoft To Do synchronization/data retrieval issue.

Could someone please advise whether this is a known Microsoft To Do issue affecting some accounts since August 2026?

More importantly, is there a way to have Microsoft check the server-side synchronization state / task data associated with my Microsoft account?

If this cannot be diagnosed through the Community, I would appreciate information on how this can be escalated to the appropriate Microsoft To Do / Outlook / Exchange backend support team.

I can also provide screenshots showing:

  1. the synchronization error in the Windows app
  2. the web app stuck on “We’re getting your task list ready…”
  3. list groups appearing while the actual tasks remain missing

Thank you.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Microsoft To Do | For home

3 answers

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  1. Otto Reinstaller 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-17T07:56:26.3466667+00:00

    Thank you for the clarification.

    I have already contacted Microsoft Support before posting here, but Microsoft Support redirected me to the Microsoft To Do Community.

    The Community answer now states that the Community cannot inspect the backend synchronization state and that this requires Microsoft Support.

    This therefore leaves me in a support loop:

    Microsoft Support → Microsoft To Do Community → Microsoft Support

    My issue has existed since approximately mid-August 2026 and affects:

    • Microsoft To Do for Windows
    • Microsoft To Do Web
    • Firefox Private Browsing
    • Safari on iPhone
    • home internet
    • mobile data with Wi-Fi disabled

    Lists and groups are partly retrieved, but the actual tasks are missing.

    Could a Microsoft moderator please provide the specific escalation path or support category required to open an account-side technical support case?

    I specifically need Microsoft to investigate the server-side Microsoft To Do / Exchange Online synchronization state of my account.

    I am not looking for additional local troubleshooting, because the problem is reproducible on multiple devices and independent networks.

    If possible, please provide the exact Microsoft Support product/category combination that will reach a team capable of checking the backend state rather than redirecting me back to the Community.

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  2. Otto Reinstaller 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-17T07:55:14.71+00:00

    Because the issue occurs across Windows, web, private browsing, iPhone, and different networks, this matches an account-wide sync problem rather than a single-device issue.

    Supported facts:

    1. Microsoft To Do stores tasks on Exchange Online servers, and tasks should sync automatically across To Do and Outlook Tasks when the same account is used.
    2. If sync is stuck across all platforms, Community support cannot inspect backend synchronization state or access the account.
    3. Do not sign out of any device that may still contain unsynced tasks, because unsynced local data can be lost.
    4. If the problem is not caused by VPN, proxy, or firewall restrictions, the next step is Microsoft Support.

    A practical path is:

    1. Check whether the same tasks appear in Outlook Tasks for the same account. Since To Do tasks are stored on Exchange Online servers, this helps confirm whether the task data is still present in the mailbox.
    2. If web access also fails on different networks, review whether any VPN, proxy, or firewall is involved. Microsoft documents that these can block To Do sync and sign-in.
    3. Avoid destructive troubleshooting such as resetting app data, deleting local data, or signing out from a device that might still hold unsynced tasks.
    4. Escalate to Microsoft Support for account-side investigation. In the support flow, select Microsoft 365 and Office as the product and Technical Support as the category, then use Chat with a support agent in your web browser.
    5. Include the sync error, affected platforms, account type, and screenshots showing: the Windows sync error, the web app stuck on loading, and lists appearing without tasks.

    There is no supported Community method to have backend sync state checked directly. That requires Microsoft Support. Because the issue occurs across Windows, web, private browsing, iPhone, and different networks, this matches an account-wide sync problem rather than a single-device issue.

    Supported facts:

    1. Microsoft To Do stores tasks on Exchange Online servers, and tasks should sync automatically across To Do and Outlook Tasks when the same account is used.
    2. If sync is stuck across all platforms, Community support cannot inspect backend synchronization state or access the account.
    3. Do not sign out of any device that may still contain unsynced tasks, because unsynced local data can be lost.
    4. If the problem is not caused by VPN, proxy, or firewall restrictions, the next step is Microsoft Support.

    A practical path is:

    1. Check whether the same tasks appear in Outlook Tasks for the same account. Since To Do tasks are stored on Exchange Online servers, this helps confirm whether the task data is still present in the mailbox.
    2. If web access also fails on different networks, review whether any VPN, proxy, or firewall is involved. Microsoft documents that these can block To Do sync and sign-in.
    3. Avoid destructive troubleshooting such as resetting app data, deleting local data, or signing out from a device that might still hold unsynced tasks.
    4. Escalate to Microsoft Support for account-side investigation. In the support flow, select Microsoft 365 and Office as the product and Technical Support as the category, then use Chat with a support agent in your web browser.
    5. Include the sync error, affected platforms, account type, and screenshots showing: the Windows sync error, the web app stuck on loading, and lists appearing without tasks.

    There is no supported Community method to have backend sync state checked directly. That requires Microsoft Support.

    Was this answer helpful?

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  3. AI answer

    2026-09-17T07:53:36.46+00:00

    Because the issue occurs across Windows, web, private browsing, iPhone, and different networks, this matches an account-wide sync problem rather than a single-device issue.

    Supported facts:

    1. Microsoft To Do stores tasks on Exchange Online servers, and tasks should sync automatically across To Do and Outlook Tasks when the same account is used.
    2. If sync is stuck across all platforms, Community support cannot inspect backend synchronization state or access the account.
    3. Do not sign out of any device that may still contain unsynced tasks, because unsynced local data can be lost.
    4. If the problem is not caused by VPN, proxy, or firewall restrictions, the next step is Microsoft Support.

    A practical path is:

    1. Check whether the same tasks appear in Outlook Tasks for the same account. Since To Do tasks are stored on Exchange Online servers, this helps confirm whether the task data is still present in the mailbox.
    2. If web access also fails on different networks, review whether any VPN, proxy, or firewall is involved. Microsoft documents that these can block To Do sync and sign-in.
    3. Avoid destructive troubleshooting such as resetting app data, deleting local data, or signing out from a device that might still hold unsynced tasks.
    4. Escalate to Microsoft Support for account-side investigation. In the support flow, select Microsoft 365 and Office as the product and Technical Support as the category, then use Chat with a support agent in your web browser.
    5. Include the sync error, affected platforms, account type, and screenshots showing: the Windows sync error, the web app stuck on loading, and lists appearing without tasks.

    There is no supported Community method to have backend sync state checked directly. That requires Microsoft Support.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

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