Fix OneDrive Upload Slow Issues (Step-by-Step Guide)

Is OneDrive uploading at 0.0 KB/s or just taking forever to upload your files? Whether you’re syncing gigabytes of media or a simple folder, slow OneDrive upload speeds can be frustrating. Here’s how to fix it and improve performance.

Common Causes of Slow OneDrive Upload Speed

Before applying fixes, here are key reasons why OneDrive might be uploading slow:

• Poor internet upload bandwidth
• Background throttling by Windows or OneDrive
• Too many large files uploading at once
• Antivirus or firewall interference
• File syncing conflicts or app bugs

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How to Speed Up OneDrive Uploads

First of all:

• Check your internet speed
• Close other apps that might be using your network.

If these troubleshooting steps do not increase your upload speed, you can now delve into the fixes below:

1. Disable network limit

1. Right-click the Cloud icon on the Taskbar and click the Gear icon in the top right corner.
2. Select the Settings option.
   

   

3. Now, click the Network tab at the top and tick the button for Don’t limit under the Upload rate section.
4. Finally, click the OK button to save the changes.
   

   

If the OneDrive uploading is slow and stuck at around 0.0 kb/s, it might be because you have limited the app’s network usage. You can quickly disable the feature and restart the upload.

2. Pause and resume sync

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon on the Taskbar and click the Gear icon.
2. Click the Pause syncing option and choose the duration to pause it.
   

   

3. Now, wait a few minutes, repeat Step 1, and choose Resume syncing.
   

   

In some cases, the slow OneDrive upload issue is down to problems encountered by the app during the upload process. Pausing and resuming the process should fix this quickly.

3. Unlink the account

1. Click the Cloud icon on the notification area of your Taskbar and click the Gear icon in the top right corner.
2. Choose the Settings option.
   

   

3. Now, click Unlink this PC.
   

   

4. From here, click the Unlink account button to confirm the action.
   

   

5. Finally, restart OneDrive from the Start Menu and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the account setup process.
   

   

Some users have found the slow upload issue on OneDrive to be with their account setup. Unfortunately, the reason for this can be challenging to pinpoint. Thus, it is better to unlink your account and relink it.

4. Restart OneDrive

1. Press Windows + X and choose the Task Manager option.
   

   

2. Right-click the Microsoft OneDrive option and select End task.
   

   

3. Now, click the Start icon and search for OneDrive to restart the app.
   

   

5. Scan for File Conflicts or Unsupported Files

Problematic files can block or stall the upload queue:

1. Open your OneDrive folder and sort by size

2. Avoid syncing files over 15 GB
3. Remove temp, system, or shortcut files like .tmp or .lnk

This often resolves cases where OneDrive is stuck uploading at 0.0 KB/s without an error.

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6. Move Files in Smaller Chunks

Uploading a massive folder at once can overload OneDrive:

• Split files into smaller batches (2–3 GB max)
• Add each group to the OneDrive folder in stages

This helps OneDrive process uploads more efficiently and avoid timeouts or hangs.

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7. Allow Through Firewall

Security tools may scan or block syncing activity:

• Open your antivirus app and add OneDrive to its list of allowed or trusted apps
• In Windows, go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall
• Find and check Microsoft OneDrive on both Private and Public networks

Especially useful if your OneDrive upload speed is far below your internet upload.

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8. Reset the OneDrive Application

If all else fails and OneDrive uploads stay extremely slow, try a soft app reset (non-destructive):

• Press Win + R, then run this:
  t%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
• Wait a few seconds — OneDrive will relaunch on its own

This clears any hidden app-level issues without affecting your files.

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9. Keep Windows & OneDrive Updated

• Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates
• Download the latest OneDrive version from the official site

Older builds may contain bugs or compatibility issues that affect upload stability.

Summary

We have come to the end of this guide on how to fix the OneDrive slow upload issue. However, with solutions here, we believe you are well-equipped to solve the problem.

However, if the issue persists, you might consider switching to one of the best cloud storage apps for Windows PC. While OneDrive has the advantage of integration with the OS, these storage options are known to be faster.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below if any of our solutions helped you fix the issue.

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