Fix SharePoint Word Document Not Updating with 3 Easy Ways

SharePoint files not syncing to the latest version   

SharePoint is a popular platform for sharing and managing documents, to help improve the overall functionality of a company or organization. Users who use SharePoint have reported that SharePoint not updating with the latest version of a document when an edit is made.

In this article, we will discuss the reasons why shared Word document not updating in SharePoint and provide solutions to fix the problem. Continue reading if you are interested.

Why is SharePoint Word document not updating?

There are several reasons why SharePoint not updating. Let's take a look at some of the most common causes.

🎨  File Locks: One of the most common reasons is due to file locks. When a user opens a document in edit mode, SharePoint places a lock on the file to prevent other users from editing it simultaneously. If the user forgets to close the document or their computer crashes, the lock remains on the file, preventing others from making changes.

🎨  Versioning: SharePoint has a versioning feature that allows users to keep track of changes made to a document over time. However, if versioning is not properly configured or enabled, changes made to the document may not be saved or updated.

🎨  Browser Cache: Sometimes, SharePoint documents fail to update because the browser cache is holding onto an old version of the document. Clearing the cache can often fix the problem.

Solutions to fix SharePoint Word document not updating issue

Now that we know some of the reasons why SharePoint not updating with the latest version of a document, let's take a look at some solutions to fix the issue.

#1. Check for file locks

If a user forgets to close a document or their computer crashes, the file lock may remain on the document.

1. To check for file locks, go to the document library and select the document.

2. Under the "Library" tab, click on "Manage file locks". This will show you if there are any locks on the file.

#2. Delete cached files in the Save settings

If the browser cache is holding onto an old version of the document, clearing the cache can often fix the problem. Please note that this solution works for the desktop version of Microsoft Office.

1. Open Microsoft Office application Word. Click on “File” in the top menu.

2. Go down to “Options” at the bottom of the left menu. Click on “Save” in the Options dialog box.

3. Go down and click the “Delete cached files” button.

4. Finally, click “Delete Cached Files” again when prompted to confirm

#3. Delete cached files in the Office Upload Center

1. Type “Upload Center” into your Windows search bar. In the Upload Center, click on “Open”.

2. Go to “Settings” and then click the “Delete Cached Files” button.

3. Finally, when you are shown a prompt, click on “Delete cached information”.

Auto-sync SharePoint files to OneDrive in an easier way

After fixing the SharePoint files not syncing issue, you may want to sync the SharePoint library or folder to OneDrive. The Sync feature in it is helpful, but if you want to make it run automatically and desire more flexible sync settings, you may need an easier file sync tool.

Luckily, there is one best option called AOMEI Backupper Standard that can help you sync the SharePoint files to OneDrive automatically and easily. With it, you can transfer a large number of files once time with a fast speed. You can also benefit a lot from the following features:

☏ It provides you with “Basic Sync”, “Mirror Sync”, “Real-Time Sync” and “Two-Way Sync” sync modes.
☏ You can sync SharePoint files or other files to cloud service (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), NAS device, internal/external drive or USB drive, etc. Or sync files from PC to PC.
☏ In addition to the sync function, it offers you backup, restore, clone, etc. tools to protect computer data.  You can use it to backup Windows 11 to external hard drive and restore it in case you encounter any system problems.

Then you can download this freeware on your PC to sync SharePoint files to OneDrive automatically. This version supports Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista.

Tip: If you are a server user, try AOMEI Backupper Server!

Step 1. Start AOMEI Backupper, click Sync in the list on the left, and select Basic Sync.

Step 2. Then, you click Add Folder and select the files or folders from SharePoint that you want to share to OneDrive. If you want to sync multiple folders at the same time, click the "+" icon after adding the first source folder.

Step 3. Next, click the second bar and choose Select a cloud drive.

Step 4. In the Select Cloud window, choose OneDrive as the destination and click OK. 

(Optional) If you cannot find OneDrive from the list, go back to click Select a local path to choose the OneDrive local folder manually.  Most cloud services folders are located by default in the C: \Users\UserName\OneDrive directory.

Step 5. Then you will go back to the main page of Basic Sync, click Schedule and select daily/weekly/monthly/event triggers/USB plug in sync settings as needed. Then, click Start Sync to automatically sync SharePoint files to OneDrive.

Final words

In conclusion, SharePoint Word documents not updating issue may be due to some reasons listed above. However, these problems can be easily resolved by following the solutions we discussed in this article. By addressing these issues, SharePoint users can ensure that their Word documents are always up-to-date and accurate.

Alternatively, you can use the best free file sync tool AOMEI Backupper to sync SharePoint Word documents or other files to OneDrive automatically. You can also use it to reset Toshiba external hard drive. You can try it to explore more outstanding features!