The Office Document Cache contains the files Office uses to make sure your changes are saved in the cloud. Sometimes when you use Office with other apps in the cloud, the apps fail to sync properly before you close Office and this can damage, or corrupt, your Office Document Cache. Usually, Office can repair damaged cache files. However, when a cloud app hasn't synced correctly, it can prevent Office from making the repairs.
Notes:
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This article discusses Office Document Cache issues that might occur when you’re using OneDrive. You may experience similar issues when using other apps. If you're using another cloud app, refer to that app's Help or product support information about fixing sync issues.
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If you're having OneDrive for Business issues, update your OneDrive sync app by following the guidance in Sync files with OneDrive in Windows.
Fix the Office Document Cache
When cache file corruption happens, your file will seem to be stuck in the Office Upload Center. You'll see an alert in your status bar that says the Microsoft Office Document Cache encountered a problem, with a link to repair. When you click to repair, the Upload Center produces another error message, offering to backup your cache and create a new one for you. You may also see errors associated with the other cloud app you were using. When you click Repair in the Upload Center error message, it fails again.
To fix this problem, try manually deleting your Microsoft Office Document Cache. Deleting the cache isn't dangerous, and it might clear up the syncing problem. After you delete the cache, sync may happen automatically, or you may need to sync manually.
Here's an overview of the process to delete your Microsoft Office Document cache:
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Perform a clean boot: This step is necessary to make sure the cache files don't get loaded during startup. If they did, they would be locked and you couldn't delete them.
Important: You must have administrator rights on the computer before you can perform a clean boot.
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Delete cache files: Often, this step fixes the problem. Office typically repairs the document cache files if it detects problems. If the cache files are corrupt and irreparable, deleting them allows Office to repair itself by replacing the corrupt files.
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Reboot and sync: This step is when Office repairs the cache. After the cache is repaired, a sync operation should clear up any "stuck" files.
For details about performing these steps, see the following sections.
Note: If the steps in this article don't fix the problem, you may need to uninstall and reinstall Office. Steps for that process aren't provided here. For help reinstalling Office, please see Install Office on your PC or Mac. If you aren't the person responsible for maintaining computers at your place of business, we recommend you talk to your system administrator before you reinstall Office. There may be special circumstances that could affect the install process.
The exact steps for performing a clean boot vary depending on which version of Windows you're using. See the support article How to perform a clean boot in Windows and look for steps for your Windows version.
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To open the Office Upload Center, do one of the following, depending on your version of Windows:
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In Windows 10, click the Windows button, type Microsoft Upload Center in the Search box, and then double-click the Microsoft Upload Center app in the search results (it may say 2010 or 2013, depending on your Office version).
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In Windows 8 or 8.1, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, click Search, then type Microsoft Upload Center in the Search box, and then double-click the Microsoft Upload Center app in the search results (it may say 2010 or 2013, depending on your Office version).
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In Windows 7, click Start, point to All Programs, then point to Microsoft Office, then point to Microsoft Office Tools, and then click Microsoft Office Upload Center.
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In the Upload Center, click Settings, and then click Delete Cached Files.
Here's where you'll find out whether the problem is fixed. If document cache file corruption was the reason Office couldn't repair the document cache, the problem should resolve after Office is able to complete the repair and your cloud files are able to sync.
Reboot normally. The steps for rebooting are also provided in the support article How to perform a clean boot in Windows. See the section "How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting". Find your Windows version in that section and follow the appropriate steps. Resync will occur automatically.
