Fixed: Cannot Download Files From Google Drive

Having trouble downloading files from Google Drive? There are many reasons your download fails. In most cases, you can resolve your problem by changing a few things here and there on your device. We’ll show you how to do that so you can download your files successfully.

Why Can’t I Download Files From Google Drive?

You can’t download your files from Google’s cloud storage service for many reasons. It’s possible many people are downloading the same file at the same time, causing a bit of congestion on Google’s servers.

Other reasons are that your internet connection isn’t working, causing a network error. Your web browser’s corrupted cache can also lead to a failed file download.

How to Fix a Failed Download on Google Drive

Resolving a Google Drive download problem will likely require following multiple methods, as there isn’t one reason every download fails. We’ve compiled a list of solutions that you can follow to possibly fix your issue and download your file successfully.

Here are those methods, with the simplest and most reliable fixes coming first.

Wait Before Retrying File Download

One possible reason you can’t download a file from Google Drive is that too many people are downloading the same file at the same time. This makes Google’s servers a bit too busy, preventing new downloads.

In this case, Google Drive will display a message stating that many users are downloading that file simultaneously. This means you’ll have to wait a few minutes before re-attempting your file download.

If this is the issue you’ve encountered, you don’t have to follow the following troubleshooting tips, as waiting is all you have to do to be able to download your file.

Check Your Internet Connection

When a download fails on Google Drive or anywhere else, ensure your internet connection is working and is stable. An inactive or unstable can cause a network error, as the link between your computer and your download site gets interrupted.

To check your connection, launch a new browser tab on your computer and open a site. If your connection has issues, the site won’t load. In this case, try fixing your issue by rebooting your router or following other internet troubleshooting tips.

Download One File at a Time

Google Drive lets you download multiple files at once, by placing all your selected files in a ZIP archive. If this ZIP archive download fails, consider downloading your files one at a time.

To do that, access your Google Drive folder, right-click a file, and choose “Download.”

You’ll have to repeat that step for each file you want to save to your device.

While this method might not be convenient if you’re trying to download several files, it’s at least a useable workaround while your Drive download issue persists.

Use Incognito Mode to Download Your File

One possible reason you can’t download your Google Drive files is that your web browser’s extensions are causing interference. You may have installed extensions that affect how your web browser downloads files, leading to a failed download.

Before toggling off or removing your extensions, verify an extension problem by using an incognito window in your web browser. This window isolates your installed extensions, meaning it doesn’t launch those extensions when you’re in an incognito window, letting you check if those items are the culprit.

Opening an incognito window in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge is very easy. Once you’ve done that, try downloading your file and see if it works. If it does, your extensions are likely the culprit. You can enable one extension at a time in your Chrome, Firefox, or Edge web browser to find the culprit, then remove that extension from your browser.

Disable Your Download Manager App

If you use a download manager to save files from the internet, turn the app off and see if your Google Drive file download works. It’s possible your download manager has a problem, causing your Drive downloads to fail.

In most cases, you can disable your download manager app by closing the app. If that doesn’t work and your app pops-up when you start a file download, force the app to close on your Windows or Mac machine.

If that fixes your issue, your download manager app is the culprit. In this case, uninstall that app and grab an alternative app to save files from the web.

Use a Different Web Browser

To rule out any possibility of your web browser being the culprit, open a different web browser on your computer and try to download your file. This helps you find out if your issue has to do with your web browser’s configuration.

To do that, simply switch to another web browser installed on your computer. For example, if you’re currently using Chrome, switch to Firefox and see if your file downloads.

In case your file downloads in your other web browser, your previous browser is likely the culprit. You can clear your web browser’s cache files, or simply reset the browser to potentially fix your issue. We explain how to do that in the sections below.

Clear Your Web Browser Cache

One way to fix many general issues in your web browsers is to clear your web browser’s saved cache. This cache is basically the internet data that your browser has saved to help you quickly access your favorite sites. Sometimes, this data becomes corrupted, causing various random issues.

Clearing the cache in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge is as easy as choosing a few options. Check out our guide for your specific web browser to learn how to do that.

Reset Your Web Browser

If your web browser still doesn’t download your file, your browser configuration might be faulty. You or someone else may have incorrectly configured an option in your web browser, causing the issue.

To fix that, reset your Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser to the factory settings. Doing so wipes off all your saved settings and lets you start from scratch. Note that you don’t lose your synched content, like your bookmarks, history, and passwords when you bring your browser to the factory defaults.

Contact Google Drive Support

If nothing else works, contact Google Drive’s support team to seek a solution to your problem. Not being able to download files on an active internet connection and in different web browsers suggests that there’s an issue on Google’s end.

You can do that by visiting the Google Drive Support site. Once there, sign in to your Google account. Then, scroll the page that opens to the bottom and choose “Contact Us.”

On the page that opens, explain your issue and choose “Next.” Then, select your preferred communication method from the available options.

You’ll then connect with someone from Google Drive’s support team who will help you sort out your download issue.

And that’s how you resolve your file download issue on Google Drive and download your files successfully. Good luck!