Resyncing pCloud Drive: The Basic Steps

When pCloud Drive stops syncing files between your computer and your account, a resync usually fixes it. The process depends on whether you're using pCloud's desktop app or the web version, but both start the same way: pause syncing, clear the sync cache, and restart the connection. Most resyncs take between five and fifteen minutes, though large file libraries can take longer.

Before you start, make sure your internet connection is stable and you have at least 10% free disk space on your computer. pCloud needs room to read and process files during a resync. If you're syncing thousands of files, close other programs that use your internet or storage to avoid conflicts.

Key Takeaways

  • Pause syncing in pCloud settings first, then restart the app completely rather than just clicking resume.
  • On Windows, delete the pCloud folder in %AppData%\pCloud; on Mac, delete the .pcloud folder in your home directory's Library folder.
  • After clearing the cache, sign back into pCloud and let it rebuild your sync folder from scratch.
  • If files still don't sync after a full resync, check your account storage limits and folder permissions before contacting pCloud support.

Resyncing on Windows

Open pCloud and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Click Sync and then Pause. Wait for the pause to complete—you'll see a notification when syncing has stopped. Do not just close the app; pausing first tells pCloud to stop mid-operation safely.

Next, close pCloud completely. Right-click the pCloud icon in your system tray and select Quit, or use Task Manager to end the pCloud process. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\pCloud. If you don't see AppData, enable "Show hidden files" in the View menu. Delete the entire pCloud folder. This removes the sync cache without affecting your actual files.

Restart your computer, then open pCloud again. Sign in with your credentials. pCloud will rebuild your sync folder and begin downloading your files fresh. During this rebuild, you'll see a progress indicator showing how many files are being synced. Do not interrupt this process, even if it takes an hour or more for large libraries.

Resyncing on Mac

Open pCloud and click the pCloud menu in the top menu bar. Select Preferences, then Sync. Click Pause Sync and wait for the pause to complete. Then quit pCloud entirely by clicking the pCloud icon in the menu bar and selecting Quit pCloud.

Open Finder and press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files. Navigate to ~/Library/process Support/pCloud (the tilde represents your home directory). Delete the .pcloud folder. You may also see a pCloud folder here; delete that too if it exists. These folders hold the sync cache and temporary data.

Restart your Mac, then open pCloud again. Sign in and allow pCloud to rebuild your sync folder. On Mac, the resync process often completes faster than on Windows, but the time still depends on how many files you're syncing and your internet speed.

When to Use Selective Sync Instead

If you have thousands of files and a resync is taking too long, consider using Selective Sync instead. This feature lets you choose which folders to sync to your computer, leaving others in the cloud only. Open pCloud Settings, go to Sync, and click Manage Folders. Uncheck folders you don't need locally, then resync. This reduces the amount of data pCloud has to process.

Selective Sync is also useful if your computer is running out of storage. You can sync only your most-used folders and access others through the pCloud web interface. After the initial resync completes, you can add more folders back later without resyncing everything again.

Checking Storage and Permissions

If files still won't sync after a full resync, check whether you've hit your storage limit. Log into your pCloud account on the web at pcloud.com. Look at the storage meter in the top right—if it shows you're at or near your limit, pCloud cannot sync new files until you delete something or upgrade your plan. Free accounts get 10 GB; paid plans offer more.

Also verify that you have write permission on the folders you're trying to sync. On Windows, right-click the pCloud folder, select Properties, go to the Security tab, and confirm your user account has "Modify" permission. On Mac, right-click the pCloud folder, select Get Info, and check that your user account is listed under "Sharing & Permissions" with "Read & Write" access.

When Resync Doesn't Fix the Problem

If syncing still fails after a complete resync and you've confirmed storage and permissions are correct, the issue may be a conflict between pCloud and your antivirus software or firewall. Some security programs block pCloud's sync process. Temporarily disable your antivirus and try syncing again. If that works, add pCloud to your antivirus exclusion list so it won't interfere in the future.

Another common cause is an outdated pCloud app. Open pCloud Settings and look for an Updates or About section. If an update is available, install it and restart the app. Outdated versions sometimes lose sync connection with pCloud's servers. After updating, run a resync to rebuild the connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resyncing delete my files?

No. Resyncing only clears the cache that tracks which files are synced—it does not touch your actual files on your computer or in your pCloud account. Files may temporarily disappear from your sync folder while pCloud rebuilds the list, but they reappear as syncing completes.

How long does a resync usually take?

A resync of a few hundred files typically takes five to fifteen minutes. Larger libraries with thousands of files can take an hour or more, depending on your internet speed and computer performance. pCloud syncs files in the background, so you can use your computer while it works.

Do I need to resync if I just lost internet connection?

Usually not. pCloud automatically resumes syncing when your connection returns. If files don't sync within a few minutes of reconnecting, try pausing and resuming sync in Settings first. A full resync is only necessary if syncing remains stuck after that.

Can I resync just one folder instead of everything?

Not directly, but you can use Selective Sync to sync only the folders you need. Uncheck all folders except the one that's having problems, let it resync, then add other folders back. This is faster than resyncing your entire library.

What if pCloud won't start after I delete the cache folder?

Restart your computer first. If pCloud still won't open, reinstall it. read the latest version from pcloud.com/read, uninstall the old version through your system settings, then install the new one. This usually resolves startup problems after a cache deletion.