What causes "Sync.com Not Syncing or Stuck Indexing"?

Outdated desktop app A single file stuck uploading or downloading File open in another program (file in use), so remote changes can't apply More than 50,000 files directly in one folder Symbolic links, aliases or junctions inside the Sync folder (not supported) Antivirus or file permission problems

How do I fix "Sync.com Not Syncing or Stuck Indexing"?

1. Update the Sync desktop app: Download the latest version from sync.com Install over the existing app and sign in if asked On Windows, run Sync's Windows Repair Tool if the update doesn't help 2. Find and move the stuck file: Open the Sync app Preferences and go to the Progress tab Look for a file that never finishes uploading or downloading Move that file out of the Sync folder (for example to the desktop) Wait for the app to show 'Up to date', then move the file back if needed 3. Pause and resume, or restart the app: Click the Sync icon and pause syncing Wait a few seconds and resume If it's still stuck, quit the app completely and open it again 4. Close files that are open elsewhere: Close Office documents, editors or other apps using files in the Sync folder Check for conflict files Sync created and keep the right copy 5. Split large folders and remove links: Move files into subfolders so no folder holds more than 50,000 files directly Remove symbolic links, aliases and junctions from the Sync folder 6. Reinstall as a last resort: Uninstall the desktop app Reinstall, sign back in and let your files re-index (this can take a while for big accounts)

// troubleshooting guide · sync.com

Sync.com Not Syncing or Stuck Indexing

Status: Workaround available
platforms:: Windows, macOS
updated:: November 15, 2026
reports:: 4
Method: how we research

RUNBOOK · sync-com/not-syncing6 FIXES

// quick answer

Sync.com usually stops syncing because one file is stuck, open in another app, or in a folder with too many files. Update the desktop app, check the Progress tab for the stuck file and move it out of the Sync folder, then pause and resume or restart the app.

Most likely fix: Update the Sync desktop app

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

FIX 1Update the Sync desktop app
1. 01Download the latest version from sync.com
2. 02Install over the existing app and sign in if asked
3. 03On Windows, run Sync's Windows Repair Tool if the update doesn't help
Did this fix it?
FIX 2Find and move the stuck file
1. 01Open the Sync app Preferences and go to the Progress tab
2. 02Look for a file that never finishes uploading or downloading
3. 03Move that file out of the Sync folder (for example to the desktop)
4. 04Wait for the app to show 'Up to date', then move the file back if needed
Did this fix it?
FIX 3Pause and resume, or restart the app
1. 01Click the Sync icon and pause syncing
2. 02Wait a few seconds and resume
3. 03If it's still stuck, quit the app completely and open it again
Did this fix it?
FIX 4Close files that are open elsewhere
1. 01Close Office documents, editors or other apps using files in the Sync folder
2. 02Check for conflict files Sync created and keep the right copy
Did this fix it?
FIX 5Split large folders and remove links
1. 01Move files into subfolders so no folder holds more than 50,000 files directly
2. 02Remove symbolic links, aliases and junctions from the Sync folder
Did this fix it?
FIX 6Reinstall as a last resort
1. 01Uninstall the desktop app
2. 02Reinstall, sign back in and let your files re-index (this can take a while for big accounts)
Did this fix it?

Symptoms

The tray or menu bar icon stays on 'indexing' or 'syncing' for hours, files saved on one computer never appear on another, or the app never returns to 'Up to date'.