Google Drive is a go-to cloud storage solution for millions of users around the world. It supports the Offline mode that allows you to access files locally or you can always download them to your Android device. However, some users report that Google Drive download is not working at all.
If you are unable to download files from Google Drive after multiple tries, check the solutions we provided for you below.
Table of contents:
- Clear cache and data from the app
- Reinstall Google Drive
- Log out and log in again with your Google Account
- Check the connection
- Use the web-based Google Drive client on your handset or PC
Why can’t I download Google Drive files?
There are more than a few reasons why Google Drive won’t download files. Starting with connectivity issues. There might be a temporary problem on the server side or, if you are trying to access other people’s shared files, chances are you don’t have the necessary download permissions.
Ensure you have enough storage space and permission to download the file. If you meet those requirements and Google Drive has permission to access Storage, the next thing is to wait some time because Google Drive might be down temporarily.
On the other hand, if the Google Drive download is still not working, use the troubleshooting steps below to fix it.
Solution 1 – Clear cache and data from the app
The first thing that you can go for is to clear cache and data from the Google Drive app. Due to cramped data, chances are the app is not functioning as intended. This is quite a common reason for a variety of errors on the Android platform.
So, let’s clear the cache and data from Google Drive and move from there. Here’s how to do it on your handheld device:
- Open Settings.
- Choose Apps (Application Manager or Manage apps).
- Open Google Drive from the apps list.
- Open Storage.
- Clear Cache first and then Data.
- Reboot your device.
Solution 2 – Reinstall Google Drive
The next step you can try if the Google Drive download is not working is to reinstall Google Drive. This usually helps users when certain apps start misbehaving. If you have Google Drive as a system app, you can uninstall updates and update the app later on.
Follow these instructions to reinstall Google Drive on Android:
- Open Play Store.
- Search for Drive.
- Uninstall the Google Drive app.
- Install the app again and reboot your device.
Solution 3 – Log out and log in again with your Google Account
The problem at hand might be related to your Google Account. Things can go awry for a variety of reasons and the best way to tackle them is by resetting your Google Account. That way, you should be able to access and download files stored in Google Drive without further issues.
Follow these instructions to remove and re-add your Google Account on Android:
- Open Settings.
- Choose Accounts.
- Select Google.
- Tap More and remove the Google account.
- Reboot your device and sign in again.
- Try downloading files from Google Drive again.
Solution 4 – Check the connection
This is self-explanatory. In order to access remote cloud servers and access or download your files, you need a stable network connection. Many errors with a variety of codes are caused by connectivity issues. So, firstly, disable VPN or Proxy and then inspect your connection.
You can try downloading files with the Mobile Network, although we don’t recommend that if you have a limited data plan.
If you are able to connect and browse via, say, Chrome, move to the last solution. On the other hand, if you can’t connect to a wireless network, follow these steps:
- Disable and re-enable Wi-Fi.
- Restart your device and router/modem.
- Enable Airplane mode and disable it after a minute or so.
- Reset the Network settings.
- Check out our articles about Wi-Fi and data issues on Android for more solutions.
Solution 5 – Use the web-based Google Drive client on your handset or PC
Finally, if you are unable to download files on your mobile device via the standard Google Drive app, consider using a browser. Even better, try downloading files on your PC.
Here’s how to use Chrome for Android to access Google Drive on the Web:
- Open Chrome on your Android device.
- Tap on the 3-dot menu and check the Desktop site box.
- Navigate to Google Drive.
- Download files to your device from there.
Just don’t forget to use the Incognito mode on your browser when accessing Google Drive on a PC. You might also want to use Google Chrome as Google’s services have certain limitations on alternative browsers. This is arguably unfair, but that’s a monopoly for you and we can hardly do anything about that.
With that said, we can conclude this article. Thanks for reading and we sincerely hope these steps helped you address the problem with Google Drive downloads. In case you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to tell us in the comments section below.
