Windows 11 OneDrive Slow | Solutions and Its Alternative

Why is OneDrive running so slow?

Are you experiencing sluggish performance with OneDrive? Are you wondering how to resolve the issue of Windows 11 OneDrive slow? The speed at which OneDrive syncs your files is generally influenced by your Internet connection. If you have a stable and robust Internet connection, the syncing process will be faster. However, there are instances where you might encounter frustratingly slow syncing with OneDrive.

Several factors could contribute to a sluggish OneDrive sync caused by different situations. Let's explore some possible reasons.

☞Running multiple applications on your computer simultaneously, consuming excessive bandwidth.
☞Insufficient disk space: OneDrive would not work efficiently if there’s not enough space to support locate.
☞Using an outdated version of the OneDrive desktop app.
☞Encountering Internet connectivity problems.
☞Syncing files to OneDrive during periods of peak network usage.

To help you address this issue promptly, we have compiled a range of effective solutions. By implementing these step-by-step solutions, you can alleviate OneDrive sync slow problem. Let's delve into the detailed steps below and find the solution that works best for you.

How do you fix OneDrive slow on Windows 11?

Here are several guides to speed up OneDrive sync, let’s delve into the specific method one by one.

• Solution 1. Verify Your Internet connection and speed
• Solution 2. Remove sync speed limit in OneDrive
• Solution 3. Restart OneDrive application
• Solution 4. Unlink and Reconnect Your OneDrive Account
• Solution 5. Avoid using other applications
• Solution 6. Reset the OneDrive Application
• Bonus tip: best alternative software for OneDrive

Solution 1. Verify Your Internet connection and speed

In certain cases, the root cause of the issue may lie with your Internet connection rather than the OneDrive application. To begin troubleshooting, it is advisable to examine your Internet connection. Follow these steps.

Step 1. Double-check your Internet connection to ensure it is stable and active.

Step 2. If your connection appears to be working, assess the speed of your Internet connection. Slow Internet speeds can impede the syncing process. Consider the following options for faster speeds.

• Opt for a wired connection rather than relying solely on Wi-Fi.
• Position your device closer to the router to enhance signal strength.

By confirming the stability and speed of your Internet connection, you can eliminate potential external factors that may be affecting the syncing performance of OneDrive.

Solution 2. Remove sync speed limit in OneDrive

OneDrive includes a feature that enables you to restrict the sync speed. However, if you encounter slow syncing issues, it may be worth removing this speed limit. Follow these steps to remove the speed limit and potentially resolve the slow sync issue.

Step 1. Locate the OneDrive icon in the taskbar and right-click on it.

Step 2. From the context menu, select Settings.

Step 3. In the Settings window, navigate to the Network tab.

Step 4. Look for the upload rate option and set it to Unlimited.

Step 5. Click OK to save the changes.

By removing the speed limit, you have provided OneDrive with the freedom to utilize your available bandwidth to its fullest potential, potentially improving the sync speed and addressing the slow syncing problem.

Solution 3. Restart OneDrive application

If the aforementioned methods fail to solve OneDrive slow sync question, restarting the OneDrive application may provide a solution. Similar to restarting any other application or your computer, the following steps outline the procedure to restart OneDrive.

Step 1. Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type taskmgr in the search box and press Enter to launch the Task Manager window.

Step 3. Within the Task Manager, locate the Microsoft OneDrive process.

Step 4. Right-click on the Microsoft OneDrive process and select the End Task option from the context menu.

Step 5. Open the OneDrive desktop app from the Windows menu, and OneDrive will initiate the syncing process for all files once again.

By restarting the OneDrive application, you give it a fresh start, potentially resolving any underlying issues that were affecting the sync speed. This simple procedure can help rejuvenate the syncing functionality of OneDrive and enhance its performance.

Solution 4. Unlink and Reconnect Your OneDrive Account

In situations where you still experience OneDrive slow to sync, unlinking and then reconnecting the OneDrive program to your computer can be an effective troubleshooting step. Many users have reported resolving the slow sync issue in various Windows versions (11, 10, 8, and 7) through this method. To unlink your OneDrive account, follow these steps.

Step 1. Open the Microsoft OneDrive application and access the Settings option.

Step 2. Navigate to the Account tab, where you will find the Unlink this PC option. Click on this option.

By unlinking your OneDrive account, you temporarily disconnect it from your computer. This action allows you to reset the connection and resolve any potential syncing issues that may have been causing the slow sync problem.

Solution 5. Avoid using other applications

Your computer is designed to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, but resource-intensive applications or poorly optimized software can consume excessive processing power, leading to decreased computer performance and slower OneDrive synchronization. To address this issue, consider closing any other software currently running or operating in the background.

Solution 6. Reset the OneDrive Application

When all else fails, resetting the OneDrive application can often resolve persistent slow sync issues. To reset the application, follow these steps.

Step 1. Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Copy the following command.

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

Step 3. Paste the copied command into the Run dialog box.

Step 4. Press OK to execute the command.

By resetting the OneDrive application, you initiate a process that restores it to its default settings, potentially eliminating any underlying issues that were causing the slow sync problem. This method provides a clean slate for OneDrive, allowing it to function optimally and improve the sync speed.

Bonus tip: best alternative software for OneDrive

AOMEI Backupper can substitute to OneDrive perfectly, and also serves as the best alternative to Dropbox. It supports syncing multiple folders simultaneously. It’s a full-featured Windows backup and recovery software that enables you to synchronize everything, including files and all data, from local to cloud in a smooth and efficient way.

๑Four sync modes: it provided with users with multiple sync options as basic sync, real-time sync, mirror sync and two-way sync. The last three modes are offered in the professional version.
๑Offers automatic sync: this software is embedded in scheduled sync to sync your changed data to free up and save your time.
๑ Supporting various cloud drives: including OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, SugarSync, hubiC and Cloudme.
๑Powerful functions: it supports backup and restore everything, and also offers 1TB free cloud storage for 15 days once you signup your AOMEI account.

Here is a full tutorial to show you how to sync your files with this powerful software. Before you start, please download AOMEI Backupper and launch it.

Step 1.  Select the Sync option from the left menu. and then select Basic Sync option.

Step 2. Click Add Folder to select the folder which you want to synchronize. You can click the plus icon to add more folders to sync. AOMEI Backupper allows you to customize your sync preferences, troubleshoot onedrive sync slow issue.

Step 3. Click Select a cloud drive to select a cloud service (you should have installed the desktop app of the corresponding cloud drive before) to store the folder, then click Start Sync to perform the operation.

To sum up

At the end of the article, we sincerely hope the six methods can help you troubleshoot the Windows 11 OneDrive slow issue. Also, AOMEI Backupper is always the best alternative to OneDrive to save you from tedious sync work. Notably, this software enables you backup C drive Windows 11 with a few clicks to safeguard your Windows.