“There is Not Enough Space” on OneDrive

Problem

Users receive “There is not enough space on OneDrive.” error message when copying files to their OneDrive for Business folder.

Root Cause

OneDrive is cloud storage but it also keeps a copy on the local computer for offline access, hence the need to sync to the cloud (see image 1 below). Therefore, although OneDrive may have plenty space available to upload the content to the cloud, to SYNC between the cloud and the PC, both locations must have enough free disk space to sync. By syncing content, ODFB effectively duplicates the files and therefore, the amount of space the files takes on that machine.

Image 1 below shows the properties of the “OneDrive – <tenantname>” folder on a local PC. Notice this folder’s location is the local c:\ drive, beneath the user’s profile, indicating that the folder is local.

                                                         Image 1

Resolution

There are two options when encountering this error message. 1. Free up space on the local PC’s hard drive by deleting unused/needed files or 2. remove folders from syncing to OneDrive for Business.

1.      Make sure PC has enough disk space and restart sync

a)       Free up disk space by moving or deleting local files, then, follow these steps to start syncing your OneDrive folder on the PC again

b)      Stop and Restart ODFB Synchronization

1)      Right-click the blue OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, at the far right of the task bar.

        

(You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon. If the icon doesn't appear in the notification area, OneDrive might not be running. Click Start, type OneDrive in the search box, and then click OneDrive in the search results.)

2)      Select Exit, and select Close OneDrive.

3)      Go to Start, enter OneDrive in the search box, and then click OneDrive -  this opens your OneDrive folder and starts the OneDrive app.

4)      Follow the steps to select your OneDrive settings again, including picking the location of your OneDrive folder and choosing whether to turn on the Fetch files option. This will restart the sync process.

2.      OR… Remove folders from syncing to ODFB

a)       Open the Sync OneDrive files to this PC dialog box using one of these two methods:

1)      In File Explorer, right-click a folder in OneDrive or OneDrive for Business, and select Choose OneDrive folders to sync.

2)      OR… Right-click the blue "OneDrive - " icon in the notification area on your task bar, select Settings, select the Account tab, and select Choose folders.

Note: You might need to select the Show hidden icons arrow next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon.

b)       In the Sync your OneDrive files to this PC dialog box, uncheck any folders you don't want to sync to your computer and select OK.

Notes: 

Ø  If you un-check a folder you are syncing to your computer, the folder will be removed from your computer. The folder and its contents will still be available online.

Ø  The sync settings you choose are unique to each computer unless you're syncing everything everywhere. Also, if you're choosing folders on two computers and you create a new folder on computer A that you want to sync to computer B, you'll need to go to computer B and select the new folder there