Why files can't be synced with OneDrive?

OneDrive is an excellent free cloud storage, but some errors like "this item name is not allowed in the cloud" may make OneDrive not sync files or prevent OneDrive from working. There are some reasons attributed to this error such as restrictions based on file size and type, potential interference from firewall or antivirus software, issues related to the OneDrive application, as well as problems linked to the OneDrive account or subscription.

If you have already ensured that your file name and type are acceptable on OneDrive, yet the issue persists, continue reading to discover the appropriate solutions.

What file names are not allowed on OneDrive?

Certainly, if you cannot upload folders or files in OneDrive and you are unsure about which specific names or types are not allowed in OneDrive, it is advisable to review the following restrictions:

Avoid using the following characters in file names: ", *, :, <, >, ?, /, and |. Additionally, ensure that file names are no longer than 400 characters.

Prohibited folder names include: .lock, CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, COM0 – COM9, LPT0 – LPT9, _vti_, desktop.ini, and any filename starting with ~$.

Note that usual file types that may not be supported include executable files, although this can be subject to your server administrator's decisions.   

How to fix "this item name or type isn't allowed" on OneDrive: 4 ways

When uploading files to OneDrive, it's crucial to take note of specific restrictions to avoid encountering errors such as "this item name or type isn't allowed in OneDrive." If you cannot avoid the error and are unable to resolve the issue based on OneDrive's prompts, you can attempt the following methods to solve the problem.

• Way 1. Verify and rename any prohibited files

• Way 2. Remove and add back the affected files

• Way 3. Use the OneDrive web to upload the restricted files

• Way 4. Reset OneDrive

• How to upload files to OneDrive without file name or type limitations

Way 1. Verify and rename any prohibited files

Based on the previous section, it's clear that OneDrive excludes file types like desktop.ini, .ds_store, and so on. To overcome these limitations, consider renaming any files before attempting to upload them once more. Below is a basic guideline for reference:

1. Open the OneDrive application and log in to your account.

2. Click Open folder and then navigate to any files with names or extensions that are prohibited by OneDrive.

3. Select the prohibited files, then right-click to Rename them. Choose a new name that conforms to OneDrive's file naming standards.

4. After renaming the files, verify that the new file names comply with OneDrive's requirements. Then allow OneDrive to sync the renamed files.

Way 2. Remove and add back the affected files

If you encounter issues with files not syncing properly in OneDrive, removing and then re-adding the affected files can help resolve the problem. Here are the general steps you can follow:

1. Open your OneDrive desktop app. Then locate the files that are experiencing syncing issues within your OneDrive folders.

2. Select the affected files, and choose Move to option to move them out of OneDrive. Make sure to check if there are any files with similar names that might be causing conflicts.

3. After removing the files, check the OneDrive Recycle bin to ensure that the files have been removed successfully and are not causing any further issues.

4. Once the files are removed, add them back to the desired location within your OneDrive folder. You can drag and drop the files to OneDrive folder in File Explorer. Then check the sync status of the re-added files to confirm that they are being successfully synchronized without any errors or interruptions.

Way 3. Use the OneDrive web to upload the restricted files

Indeed, the file limitations for the local client do not impact the file uploading process on OneDrive when using the web-based client. Therefore, you can try the following steps:

1. Go to the OneDrive website and sign in to your OneDrive account.

2. Click My files tab > hit Upload button > click Files. Then navigate to files you want to upload from your local storage.

3. Once the upload is finished, verify that the restricted files have been successfully uploaded to your OneDrive account.

Way 4. Reset OneDrive

If you have ruled out any file or folder limitation issues, yet the problem persists, you can attempt to resolve the "OneDrive the name or type isn't allowed" error by clearing the cache data, which could be a useful troubleshooting step if you're encountering persistent issues with the OneDrive application. You can follow the guide below to reset OneDrive to clear the cache:

1. Press the Windows and R keys to open the Run window.

2. Type the following OneDrive reset command in the provided field:

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

3. Click OK to execute the command. Then go to the Start to input OneDrive and click it to restart.

How to upload files to OneDrive without file name or type limitations

To upload files to OneDrive without being restricted by file or type limitations, consider using CBackup, a free cloud backup service that supports the uploading of files to various cloud storage providers, including OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive. Notably, CBackup does not impose additional limitations on file names or types beyond those enforced by the cloud storage service itself.

Furthermore, it facilitates the uploading of large files without any size restrictions, ensuring a seamless experience. Therefore, if you encounter issues such as "this item name or type isn't allowed in OneDrive" or experience problems with OneDrive not syncing PST files, using CBackup is a reliable solution.

Here are the detailed steps to upload files to OneDrive using CBackup:

1. Download CBackup, complete the installation, and launch the app. Sign up for a CBackup account and then log in to its desktop app.

2. Access the Storage option from the left panel, choose OneDrive, and click Authorize Now. Follow the prompts to grant CBackup access to your OneDrive files.

3. Navigate to the Sync tab and select Sync PC to Public Cloud to initiate the task.

4. Select the files you wish to upload, and specify a target folder within OneDrive.

5. Configure the task's automatic execution frequency in the Scheduler tab under Settings. Then tick Set a Sync schedule for automated Sync, and select the time you want (Optional). Finally, click the Start Sync button to upload files to your OneDrive cloud.  

★Tips: Beside syncing files to OneDrive without file size/name limitations, the free cloud backup service provides you with more powerful features:

It offers robust backup functionality, enabling you to securely store your files in the cloud. Its incremental backup feature is particularly advantageous, as it only saves the changes made to your files, thereby conserving both time and storage space.

With its cloud combining feature, you can get unlimited OneDrive storage space for free by combining your cloud accounts as many as you have.

Aside from syncing files from PC to OneDrive, this tool also enables to transfer OneDrive files to Dropbox and Google Drive without downloading and uploading files.   

Conclusion

When it comes to encountering this item name or type isn't allowed on OneDrive and you've followed the standard solutions without success, an effective alternative is CBackup.

This reliable tool facilitates seamless file synchronization with various cloud storage services, including Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, bypassing any restrictions on file names or types. Also, you can use the reliable tool to upload large files to OneDrive with ease.