How to delete Office document cache in Office 2016?

Author: Lena Smith

Microsoft Office 2016 is the latest version of Office productivity suite, which is being used by the computer users across the world. This advanced suite is available in different versions to ensure complete compatibility with the Windows, Mac or Android devices. It has come up with some of the exceptional features that have made it gain immense popularity. These features include enhanced collaboration in various Office applications, better connection options, additional ribbon buttons and researcher.

With Office 2016, you can also create the backup of your files in the cloud storage. To keep a track of the files uploading status, Microsoft Office Upload Center makes the use of an Office Document Cache. This Office document cache includes the files the productivity suite utilizes to ensure that your changes are saved in the cloud. Sometimes, the applications fail to sync before you close the Office 2016. This may damage or corrupt the document cache, which can be usually repaired by the Office itself. However, if the cloud app has also stopped working, it won’t allow Office do so.

When this error occurs, your file gets stuck in the Office Upload Center for which you will get an alert in your status bar. In the notification, you will also see a link to repair. Simply, click on the link and follow the Repair process. However, if it doesn’t go well, you need to fix this problem manually by following the below mentioned steps:

1. Performing a clean boot of your system

This process will ensure that the cache file don’t get loaded during startup as if it happens, the cache will be permanently locked and you cannot delete them, thereafter.

2. Deleting cache files

This step will fix the issue as Office will automatically detect the issue and repair the corrupted cache files. To delete the cache files, follow these steps:

  • Firstly, open the
Office.com/Setup Upload Center by any of the following ways (depending on your version of Windows):

a. Windows 10- Click the Start Menu or the Windows button -> Search for Microsoft Upload Center -> double-click the app to open it

b. Windows 8 or 8.1- Point the bottom-right corner of the screen -> click Search -> Search for Microsoft Upload Center -> double-click the app to open it

c. Windows 7- Open the Start Menu -> All Programs -> Microsoft Office -> Microsoft Office tools -> Microsoft Office Upload Center

  • In the Upload Center, open Settings and then click Delete Cached Files
3. Reboot and Sync

In this step, Office will repair the cache and once it’s done, a sync operation should clear up all the stuck files.

Please note that the aforementioned procedure can also be applied when deleting the cache in Office 2013 or 2010. In case of any further issue, contact Office customer support and get an instant help from a certified technician.