Not always. If the problem is replication delay between DCs, /force will still get the old policy version. That’s where /sync shines.
The /force switch is the most commonly used tool for troubleshooting.
The /force option forces a complete refresh of all Group Policy settings. When you run gpupdate /force , the command: gpupdate /sync vs /force
The /sync option is useful when you want to ensure that the computer's Group Policy settings are in sync with the Active Directory without forcing a full refresh.
gpupdate /force /sync
You can use both, though rarely needed:
When deploying a critical security patch or firewall rule that must take effect instantly across all endpoints. Not always
The /force option is useful when you want to ensure that all Group Policy settings are refreshed and applied, such as after making changes to the Group Policy Object (GPO).