iCloud for Windows Not Syncing

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Re-enable iCloud Drive in the app

   Copy steps
   1. Open iCloud for Windows and sign in
   2. Click the arrow next to iCloud Drive, turn it on, click Done
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Sign out and back in

   Copy steps
   1. iCloud for Windows > Sign Out
   2. Restart Windows
   3. Open the app and sign in with the same Apple Account as your iPhone
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Fix paths and names

   Copy steps
   1. Shorten long folder or file names, or move files to a shorter path
   2. Rename files with special characters
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Clear hidden files blocking uploads

   Copy steps
   1. File Explorer > View > Show > Hidden items
   2. Empty the hidden .Trash folder inside iCloudDrive
   3. On icloud.com, permanently delete Recently Deleted items, then reboot
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Reset iCloud Photos on the PC

   Copy steps
   1. iCloud for Windows: deselect Photos and Shared Albums > Done > Apply > Delete from PC
   2. Then select Photos again > Done > Apply to download fresh copies
   Did this fix it? Yes No

6. 6. Test without security software

   Copy steps
   1. Temporarily disable third-party antivirus and VPN
   2. Update iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

iCloud Drive in File Explorer is stuck on 'Initializing' or 'Processing', files never upload, photos from iPhone don't appear or show wrong thumbnails, or the app hangs at sign-in.

Why it happens

• App stuck at sign-in or initialization after an update
• Hidden or unsupported files blocking the upload queue
• Path or file name too long, or special characters
• Third-party antivirus or VPN interfering
• Photos cache out of sync
• iCloud storage full

This guide also covers

• icloud for windows not syncing
• icloud drive not syncing windows 11
• icloud for windows stuck initializing
• icloud photos not syncing to pc
• icloud windows processing

The same problem in other apps

All sync failures guides →

• Google Drive Not Syncing (Google Drive)
• Dropbox Not Syncing (Dropbox)
• OneDrive Not Syncing (OneDrive)

Other iCloud errors

• iCloud Photos Not Syncing
• iCloud Backup Failed: 'Last Backup Could Not Be Completed'
• iCloud Storage Full (Even After Deleting Photos)
• iCloud Drive Stuck on 'Waiting to Upload' (Mac)
• iCloud Mail Not Working or Not Receiving Emails
• iCloud 'Verification Failed: Error Connecting to Apple Account Server'
• iPhone Keeps Asking for iCloud / Apple Account Password
• 'Unable to Load Photo' iCloud Error on iPhone