# Syncing error anki **URL:** \ **Category:** Syncing & AnkiWeb\ **Created:** [April 5, 2025, 7:32pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541 "2025-04-05T19:32:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChristiaNW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@ChristiaNW](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/ChristiaNW)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2025, 7:32pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541/1 "2025-04-05T19:32:05Z")
Every time I try to sync, I get this message: ‘Please use the Check Database function, then sync again. If problems persist, please force a full sync in the preferences screen.’ I have tried checking the database, which does not resolve the issue, but I do not know how to force a full sync in the preferences screen, as I cannot find this option anywhere (when I go to preferences, it takes me to the Leaderboard Config for some reason). Please can someone help me with this? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![sorata](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/sorata/32/34115_2.png) [@sorata](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/sorata)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541/2 "2025-04-05T19:44:09Z")
what happens when you use `Ctrl` + `P`? In any case, you can force a full-sync (I’m assuming this is a “one-way sync”) without opening that screen. Just add a new note type and delete it. Or create a new note, then change it’s note type. Either of these should do the trick. Make sure you’ll be able to recover any lost data if you do try that out. ---
**Author:** ![SuhasK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@SuhasK](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/SuhasK)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541/3 "2025-04-06T18:43:38Z")
If you are on Desktop, then you can use `Ctrl + ,`, go to Syncing and then check the box which says “On next sync, force changes in one direction”. I’d recommend you create a backup first to ensure that you won’t lose any data accidentally (if you have unsynced changes on a different device or if you chose the wrong option accidentally) ---
**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541/4 "2025-04-06T23:07:23Z")
> [@ChristiaNW](#): > > (when I go to preferences, it takes me to the Leaderboard Config for some reason) Like others, I have questions about how you’re accessing preferences. If you open the Tools/Anki menu, there should be an option for Preferences. `Ctrl P` or `Cmd P` is the default shortcut for it (not `Ctrl ,`). ---
**Author:** ![SuhasK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@SuhasK](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/SuhasK)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 7:16am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541/5 "2025-04-07T07:16:07Z")
Perhaps its platform dependent? I do not recall ever changing to `Cmd + ,` and on most other applications also it is `Cmd + ,` as the shortcut for Preferences > [@Danika\_Dakika](#): > > `Ctrl P` or `Cmd P` is the default shortcut for it (not `Ctrl ,`) ---
**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 7:29am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541/6 "2025-04-07T07:29:09Z")
See this thread for advice: [Unordered list Shortcut not working](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/unordered-list-shortcut-not-working/55580) . ---
**Author:** ![ChristiaNW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@ChristiaNW](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/ChristiaNW)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2025, 9:37am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541/7 "2025-04-07T09:37:10Z")
Thank you for the help, I think I was accessing preferences incorrectly, using Ctrl P worked and I have managed to force a sync, all working now. Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/1X/8f1279ababc5879d54e4838989f606cfe55af8c7.jpeg) [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2025, 9:37am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/syncing-error-anki/58541/8 "2025-05-07T09:37:57Z")
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