When attempting to activate sync on Windows 10, several Windows users have received the message ‘Sync is not available for your account. Contact your system administrator to resolve this’. This problem appears to affect only Windows 10 versions that have already received the Fall Creators Update.
The problem is unique to Windows 10, as it does not affect previous versions of Windows.
What’s causing the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ error?
We looked into this problem by checking many user reports and putting several repair procedures to the test that had previously worked for other users who had experienced the same problem. As it turns out, this problem could be caused by a number of distinct scenarios. Here’s a rundown of possible suspects:
1. Connected work or school accounts – When one or more accounts are attached on the Access work or school settings page, this issue is most likely to happen. If this situation applies to your Windows 10 PC, you can resolve the issue by deleting the accounts and activating synchronization.
2. Microsoft account is not verified – A Microsoft account that has not been confirmed is another possible explanation for this error message. In this scenario, you should be able to remedy the problem and restore synchronization by validating the account on the official Microsoft website’s Your information tab.
3. A Registry policy is preventing syncing – In situations when it’s allowed in your Registry, a REG DWORD named NoConnectedUser may likewise trigger similar actions. In this instance, you can use Registry Editor to fix the problem and avoid the policy from interfering with your Microsoft account syncing.
4. Azure doesn’t allow syncing – It’s possible that a Device configuration in Azure AD prevents bound users from syncing settings and app data across different systems. If this case applies to you, you can resolve the issue by changing an Azure Active Directory option through the Azure portal.
5. System file corruption – This issue can arise in rare cases as a result of a system file corruption that disrupts the synchronization process. In this circumstance, you can resolve the issue by performing a repair install method that resets all OS components.
Method 1: Removing work or school accounts
The ‘Sync is not available for your account’ error is almost always caused by an issue with connected accounts in the ‘Access work or school’ settings page. As it turns out, this issue only affects PCs and notebooks with associated work or school accounts prior to the installation of a critical Windows update.
Some customers have complained that uninstalling the work or school account, rebooting their computer, and retrying the synchronization procedure can fix the problem. Affected users have indicated that the synchronization capability kept effective in the majority of situations, even if they later re-added the work or school account.
If you’re having a similar problem and you already have a work or school account connected in the Accounts menu, follow the steps below to fix the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ issue.
Here’s how to re-establish the syncing feature by uninstalling the work or school account:
1. To launch the Run dialog box, use Windows + R keys. Then, in the text box, type ‘ms-settings:workplace’ and press Enter to enter the Settings app’s Access work or school option.
2. Scroll down to the right-hand panel and click the Disconnect button linked with the connected Work or school account while you’re inside the access work or school tab. At the following window, confirm, and then restart your computer.
3. Press Windows key + R to launch a new Run box once the next starting procedure is complete. To open the Sync your settings tab, type ‘ms-settings:sync’ and hit Enter.
4. When you’re in the Sync your settings menu, go to the right side of the window and turn on the Sync settings toggle.
5. If you were able to activate Microsoft account synchronization without getting the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ problem, go back to your Access work or school account and re-add the account that was creating the issue.
If the strategy above didn’t work for you or you tried it and failed, scroll down to the next possible solution below.
Method 2: Verifying your Microsoft account
A Microsoft account that has to be validated is another possible source of the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ issue. This usually happens when a user installs numerous crucial pending updates at the same time.
In this situation, you’ll need to check in with your Microsoft account on their official website and validate your account under the Your info tab to resolve the issue.
Several impacted users have indicated that after receiving the verification email, they were able to resolve the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ error using this technique. They were able to go back to the Sync your settings screen and enable Sync settings without any troubles after finishing this method.
Here’s how to validate your Microsoft account quickly:
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1. Visit this official Microsoft account website (here) using your usual browser. When you arrive, select the Sign In button (top-right corner of the screen). To sign in, enter your Microsoft account and password on the next screen.
2. When you’ve logged in successfully, go to Your Info > Security & Privacy and click the Verify link next to the phone number or email account you used to sign in.
3. To finish the verification procedure, enter the verification code sent to your phone number or email address linked with your Microsoft account.
4. Your device should be restarted. To launch the Run dialog box, press Windows + R after the startup routine is finished. Next, type ‘ms-settings:sync’ and hit Enter to access the Sync your settings tab, then activate the Sync settings toggle to allow account syncing.
If your account has previously been validated and you’re still having problems, scroll down to the next possible solution below.
Method 3: Enabling Microsoft account via Registry Editor
Another circumstance that could result in the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ issue is if your Microsoft account is forcibly disabled through a Registry key. In this scenario, you’ll be able to resolve the issue by making the necessary changes to the registry key.
Other users who found themselves in a similar situation were able to resolve the problem by using Registry Editor to change the REG_DWORD value of NoConnectedUser to 0. This effectively disables the policy, users can connect to and sync with Microsoft accounts as usual.
If you believe this circumstance applies to you and a registry policy is causing the problem, disable it using the methods below. This will allow you to sync your Windows 10 PC for the first time.
This is what you must do:
1. To launch the Run dialog box, hit Windows + R. Then, in the Run text box, write ‘regedit’ and hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor application. When the UAC (User Account Control) prompt appears, click Yes to grant admin access.
2. Use the left-hand side of the Registry editor to browse to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Note: You can also quickly get there by pasting the address into the navigation bar and pressing Enter.
3 Move over to the right side and double-click on the NoConnectedUser value after you’ve arrived at the suitable spot.
4. Set the Base to Hexadecimal and the value data to 0 in the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value of the NoConnectedUser before clicking Ok.
5. Restart your computer to let the modifications take effect, and then check to see if the syncing procedure worked after the next successful system starting.
If the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ situation continues, proceed to the next method below.
Method 4: Enable Syncing from Azure Active Directory (if applicable)
If your PC is also connected to an Azure AD account, you’ll probably need to adjust some Azure portal settings to get around the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ problem and permit your PC to sync with your MS account.
Note: If you’re not using Azure integration, ignore this technique.
Some Azure users were able to resolve the issue by logging into Azure Active Directory and modifying the Device settings to allow bound users to sync their settings and app data across devices.
Here’s an easy guide to activate Azure Active Directory syncing:
1. Log in to the Azure Portal (here) with your AzureAD administrator account or your Office365 account(depending on which one is applicable).
2. Go to Azure Active Directory > Device Settings after you’ve successfully signed in.
3. Move to the right-side area of the Device Settings tab and set the User may sync settings and app data across devices to All.
4. To enter a Run dialog box after syncing is enabled, use Windows + R. To open the Sync your settings tab, type ‘ms-settings:sync’ and hit Enter once inside. Activate the Sync settings tab once you’re inside.
If the ‘Sync is not available for your account’ situation continues, proceed to the next method below.
Method 5: Performing a repair install (in-place upgrade)
If none of the procedures above have helped you to fix the challenges, you’re probably dealing with a problem with an OS component that can’t be fixed conventionally. If this case applies, you may quickly resolve the problem by refreshing all OS components.
A clean install is an alternative, but it will likely wipe out all of your user settings as well as any personal data you haven’t backed up beforehand.
A repair install (in-place upgrade) is a time-consuming but superior procedure. You’ll need to use suitable installation disks for this, but you’ll be able to maintain all of your personal data, apps, games, and user settings.
Check this video for more help:
That’s about it.
