A task stays on "Starting…" or "Reading…" for a long time
What a task does before the first file is copied, how to see its progress, and when to worry.
What the task is doing
Before the first item is copied a task:
- signs in to the source and the destination,
- reads the source library's list of items (Reading … items so far),
- compares them with the destination (comparing with the destination…),
- creates the folders, then copies the files.
For a large library steps 2–3 take minutes. Current versions show each step in the Tasks list instead of just Starting… – update the app if you only see Starting….
Other messages you may see
| Shown | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Waiting for SharePoint – it is briefly refusing the app … | SharePoint is pushing back; the app waits and continues by itself. See stopped accepting the app. |
| Paused – the sign-in to … expired. Sign in again to continue. | Sign in in the window that opened. See Sign-in required. |
| Queued | The Run … at a time limit is reached. It starts when a running task finishes. |
When to worry
If the same message shows for more than 30 minutes, open the task's report, click Export, and send it in a support ticket with the app version.
Was this article helpful?
Updated 2026-10-26