Home › Flashcards › Anki › Fix Anki Deck Not Syncing Issues

Fix Anki sync problems and study from your own PDFs

Sort out the login or conflict that stopped your Anki sync, then generate flashcards from your own slides, notes or photos of pages.

Create flashcards nowFree · No credit card required

Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free · First set needs no signup · Creates flashcards in seconds

Fixing sync first, then getting cards you can trust

When your Anki deck isn't syncing, the cause is usually a login mismatch, a pending full-sync prompt, or an app that is out of date.

Confirm each device is signed into the same AnkiWeb account.
Run a full sync on the desktop app and read any prompt before choosing.
Update AnkiMobile or AnkiDroid so its version matches your desktop.
Check your internet connection before retrying, since sync needs it.

Example Anki sync questions and answers

What does Anki sync actually transfer?Cards, notes, review history and deck settings are stored in your collection and merged with AnkiWeb when you sync.

Why must you use the same AnkiWeb account on every device?Sync ties your collection to one account, so a different login creates a separate collection that will not merge.

What is a full sync prompt in Anki?It appears when the local and online collections cannot be merged, so you choose which copy to keep.

Why should you sync before studying on a second device?Reviews done on an unsynced device can conflict with the other copy, so syncing first keeps progress in one place.

What should you check if sync fails on mobile?Confirm the app has internet access, is signed into the same AnkiWeb account, and is updated to a version matching your desktop.

Generate the full set

Flashcards from your files

Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, notes or photos of pages and get flashcards from them.

Spaced repetition

Reviews are scheduled so cards you miss come back sooner.

Anki export on Plus

The Plus plan exports your cards to Anki, so they live in your own collection.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, slides, notes or photos of pages.

Review your flashcards

Study in the browser with spaced repetition scheduling.

Export to Anki

On Plus, export the cards and import them into your Anki collection.

Start with the basics: confirm every device uses the same AnkiWeb account, click Sync on the desktop app, and answer any full-sync prompt by keeping the copy that holds your current progress. Then update your mobile app so its version matches your computer.

If sync works but you need fresh material, DeckOwl can turn your lecture slides, PDFs or photographed notes into flashcards with spaced repetition. The Plus plan adds export to Anki, so the cards land in your own collection.

Explore related topics

Fix Anki Deck Images Not Showing

Why Anki deck images fail to display, plus fixes and a way to rebuild the deck from your notes.

Fix Anki deck not found in limits map

Rebuild your study material as new flashcards when an Anki deck error stops you from studying.

Anki deck not importing? Make new cards

Generate new flashcards from your notes when an Anki deck won't import.

Anki deck missing cards: fixes and rebuild

Fix why an Anki deck hides cards, then rebuild a full set from your notes.

AI Anki Deck Generator

Upload notes or slides and get an AI-made Anki deck with spaced repetition.

AI Anki Deck Builder

Turn your own notes or slides into a spaced repetition deck, exportable to Anki on Plus.

AI Anki Deck Maker

Turn lecture slides and notes into flashcards you can export to Anki.

AI Anki Deck Maker from Your Notes

Turn PDFs, slides and notes into an Anki deck with AI, then study with spaced repetition.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Anki ask me to choose between a full upload or download?

Anki asks this when the local and AnkiWeb collections have changes that cannot be merged automatically. Choose the side that holds your current progress, and back up your collection first if you are unsure.

How often should I sync Anki if I study on two devices?

Sync before you start studying on a device and again when you finish. Syncing at both points reduces the chance of conflicting review history.

Can DeckOwl sync my decks with AnkiWeb directly?

DeckOwl exports to Anki rather than syncing with AnkiWeb. The Plus plan ($39/year or $7.99/month) lets you export generated cards and import them into your own collection.

Is the free plan enough to make Anki flashcards?

The free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study, but exports are a paid feature. Plus includes unlimited generations and Anki export.

Generate free flashcards

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.