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If you have a Google account, you also have 15GB of free storage with Google Drive. You can get even more if you purchase a subscription. Regardless of the number of files you keep on Google Drive, the idea is that you can download them anywhere at any time and on any device.
Google Drive mostly works as advertised, but there are times it simply won’t download what you need. There can be several reasons why this happens, and some are easier to fix than others.
In this article, we’ll deliver an in-depth tutorial on how to fix issues with Google Drive not downloading.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading?
As a Google account holder, you can access Google Drive on your laptop, PC, or use Google Drive app on your mobile device.
The solutions to fixing the issue of Google Drive not downloading will be similar across devices, but some will be more specific.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Computer?
If you’re a PC user, Google Drive is available to you on both Windows and macOS operating systems. Let’s break down solving the issue of files not downloading for both.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Windows?
Windows users can access Google Drive via any browser. If Google Drive won’t download anything, the first step to fixing the issue is closing the browser and starting it again.
Chrome browser is the most compatible with Google Drive, but it can also fail when you’re trying to download from Google Drive. One of the best fixes is to clear cache from Chrome. That’s often the stumbling block when it comes to working efficiently. Here’s how you can do that:
- Launch Chrome and then click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Select “More Tools” and then “Clear browsing data.”
- Switch to the “Advanced” tab and then check the “Cached images and files” box.
- Then, select “Clear data.”
After the cache files are cleared, make sure to restart Chrome and try again.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Mac?
Are you sure that you’re downloading the files from Google Drive correctly? There are three basic methods you can try using any browser in any operating system, including macOS.
- Method 1 – Right-click on the file in Google Drive and select “Download.”
- Method 2 – Highlight the file or files, click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select “Download from the drop-down menu.”
- Method 3 – Open the file in Google Drive and click on the downward pointing icon in the top right corner.
If you’re not applying one of these methods, you won’t be able to download any Google Drive files. However, if you have been trying correctly but still don’t have much success, there are other things you can try.
- Ensure that you’re signed into the correct Google account if you’re trying to access shared files.
- Clear browser cache and data.
- Check your internet connection.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Android?
You need to have a Google account in order to experience the full features of any Android device. That also means that you can use the Google Drive app and access all your files stored on your device.
If you’re trying to download a document, photo, or video to your Android device from Drive and it’s not working, there could be several reasons why. First, check your internet connection, whether it’s Wi-Fi or mobile data. Perhaps you’re over the monthly limit?
Another possibility is that you don’t have enough storage on your device to save the downloaded file. Check your phone’s storage and delete files to make room. Finally, you might have to update the Google Drive app if you don’t have it set to automatically update. Go to Play Store and get the latest update.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to iPhone?
When you’re trying to download a file to your iPhone from Drive, and it won’t budge, check your internet connection. Depending on the file’s size, you might need to have a very strong connection to see any progress with the download right away.
In case you’re absolutely sure that your internet is stable, then make sure your iPhone has enough free storage to save the file you intend to download. When there isn’t enough storage, the download will stop, and you’ll likely see an error on the screen.
Lastly, ensure that the Google Drive iOS app on your iPhone is up-to-date. Head to the App Store and make sure you have the latest version.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading to Chromebook?
Google Drive is one of the default Chrome OS applications. Not only can you access the web version of Drive via the Chrome web store, but you can also use an Android app.
To be more precise, provided you use Chromebook purchased after 2017, Android OS is integrated with Chrome OS, and you have the best of both worlds.
When you’re trying to download something from Google Drive to your Chromebook, you may be dealing with limited storage space. As a rule, Chromebooks are mostly cloud-based, and there isn’t much space for saving files.
So, that should be the first thing on the agenda to verify. However, other issues can include an unstable internet connection or a glitchy app. In case it’s the Google Drive Android app that’s freezing, you can reinstall it in a few simple steps. Here’s what you do:
- Click on the small circle in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- When your Launcher pad pops up, select the upwards pointing arrow.
- This will expand your App Drawer. Find and right-click on the Google Drive app.
- Select “Uninstall” and then confirm it by clicking “Uninstall” again on the next pop-up window.
After a few moments, the Google Drive app will disappear from your App Drawer. Then, all you have to do is go to Play Store in your Chromebook and download it again. The entire process will take several minutes. Hopefully, you will be able to download files from Google Drive again.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading After Zipping?
When you’re downloading multiple files from Google Drive to your device, it will create a compressed file for more convenience. However, sometimes Drive gets stuck while preparing the Zip file.
You’ll see the “Preparing Download” for a while, but nothing is happening. A trick that often works is to click on the “X” to close the browser tab, and when prompted to “Leave site,” select “Leave.”
Instead of losing the download completely, a pop-up window asking you to save the Zip file on your computer will appear. This only happens if the file was already prepared, but there was a delay of some kind. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to start over. This time, try another browser or clear the cache files first.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading Photos?
Many people use Google Drive primarily to store photos they want to be able to access from anywhere. When Drive doesn’t let you download your pictures, especially one by one, that’s usually a problem with the internet connection.
It’s unlikely that you don’t have enough storage for one or two photos. So, make sure your computer or your mobile device is connected to the internet. If you’re using your phone or tablet, also check if your Google Drive has recent updates you have to download as well.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading Videos?
The biggest issue with downloading videos from Google Drive is that video files are often large, even when they are not very long.
You might run into a situation that you want to save a short video to your phone, for example, but you’re not aware that the file is close to 100GB.
It’s possible that you don’t have enough storage on your phone or tablet and that the video simply can’t be saved. However, if that’s not the case, it’s possible that Drive has glitches, and you can either restart your device or check if the app requires an update.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Downloading Large Files?
Some Google account users pay for a lot of storage in Google Drive to enough space to keep their huge files in one place. For example, someone might want to download a file that’s over 200GB.
That will require not only a stable and fast internet connection but also sufficient storage space on your computer – and some ingenuity if you run into a problem.
When Google Drive starts compressing the file, it’s possible that it will get stuck and fail in the end. A workaround solution requires users to use the Incognito mode in their browser for this task.
However, if you started the download process without using the Incognito mode, then “X” out of the browser window. Then, wait and see if you’ll get the prompt to save the file on your computer.
Additional FAQs
1. Why Is Google Drive So Slow?
There could be any number of reasons why your Google Drive is working slowly, but in most cases, it’s either your internet connection or your device’s processor that is slow. Alternatively, Google Drive might be experiencing problems on Google’s end, but that’s a much rarer occurrence.
2. How Do I Download a Non-Downloadable File From Google Drive?
When you are sharing a file or a folder from Google Drive with others, you can ensure that it can’t be edited or downloaded by anyone. When you right-click on the file and select “Share,” you can uncheck the “Editors can change permissions and share.”
That will make the file non-downloadable. However, if that was unchecked by accident and the people you’ve shared files with are complaining that they can’t download it, make sure to check that box again.
3. How Do I Fix My Download Limit on Google Drive?
Again, if you’re sharing your file from Google Drive with others, they may get an error message that they’ve exceeded the download limit.
That’s because Google puts limits on shared files and then restarts them after 24h. To bypass this issue, make a copy of the file in question, rename it, and then share it again with your collaborators.
4. How Do I Fix Google Drive Not Downloading?
Depending on why Google Drive is not downloading, your solutions will vary. You might have to change the browser, use Incognito mode, clear browser cache, or check your internet connection.
When using the Drive mobile app, always make sure that your device has enough storage and that you have the latest version of the app as well.
5. Why Are My Google Drive Files Not Downloading?
When downloading multiple files from Drive, the process of compressing files may slow down unexpectedly. If possible, try again, and make sure that you have a stable internet connection.
6. How Do I Download Google Drive on My Laptop?
You can use a desktop version of Google Drive on your laptop or a PC. Go to the official Google Drive page and select the “Drive for Mac/PC” option.
Then, under “For Individuals,” click on “Download.” A pop-up window will appear. Select “Agree and Download.” When the file downloads, run it on your computer and then sign in with your Google account.
There’s Always a Way to Get Google Drive to Download Files
Google Drive is one of the most popular and widely used Google products. We’ve all come to depend on storing files on Drive. In normal circumstances, you can view them whenever you download them to your computer or mobile device.
If Google Drive isn’t downloading, that’s usually an issue with the internet connection or storage space. On mobile devices, not using the latest version of Drive can cause a problem with downloads.
Have you had issues with Google Drive before? Let us know in the comments section below.
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