Tuesday, 2 Jul 2024
Technology

Solved: Cannot Download Files from Google Drive (7 Fixes)

Many Google users who rely on Google Drive often encounter the frustrating issue of not being able to download files when they need to save important data. This problem usually presents itself in two forms:

Type 1: File viewing and downloading blocked

You may come across the error message “Sorry, you can’t view or download this file at this time.” This could be due to file viewing and downloading being blocked.

Google Drive Sorry Download

Type 2: Can’t download file from Google Drive access denied

Another common error message is “Access to doc-0c-as-docs.googleusercontent.com was denied.” This usually indicates that you’re unable to download the file due to access restrictions.

Google Drive Access Denied

To resolve these errors effectively, it is essential to understand the underlying causes. Let’s explore why you might be unable to download files from Google Drive:

Why Google Drive Cannot Download Files?

In reality, the issue of being unable to download files from Google Drive is not as difficult to solve as it might seem. There are two main reasons why this download error occurs:

  • Google Drive limits the number of file downloads. If many people visit a file within 24 hours, they may be unable to download it. This often happens with files shared by others on Google Drive.
  • Network problems can also prevent you from downloading files from Google Drive. As a cloud-based storage service, Google Drive requires a stable network connection for smooth file downloads.

Apart from these two primary reasons, other factors such as outdated browsers, incorrect antivirus software recognition, and damaged databases can also contribute to the problem of being unable to download files from Google Drive.

How to Fix Cannot Download Files from Google Drive?

When important files need to be downloaded from Google Drive but are blocked due to errors, it can be incredibly frustrating. Fortunately, there are effective solutions to fix the “cannot download from Google Drive” issue. Here are seven methods to help you resolve the problem:

Method 1: Check internet connection

  • On Windows: Click the Windows icon on your desktop, go to the Settings window, select Network & Internet, and check your network status. If there is an issue with the network connection, scroll down to find the “Network troubleshooter” and click on it to view and fix any related problems.
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Network troubleshooter

  • On Mac: Click the Apple icon on your desktop, go to System Preferences, click Network, and then select the network adapter you are using. The status of your internet connection will be displayed here.

Method 2: Add exception for Google Drive

If you’re experiencing issues with downloading files from Google Drive through its website, it’s possible that your browser’s Privacy & Security settings need adjustment. Certain settings, such as blocking third-party cookies, can affect how Google Drive functions. To add an exception for Google Drive on Chrome and fix the download issue, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Chrome and navigate to Privacy & Security.
  2. Click on the Third-party cookies button and choose Block third-party cookies.
  3. Click the Add button next to Allowed to use third-party cookies, and enter “drive.google.com” in the Site field. Then click Add.

Add Exception for Google Drive

Method 3: Clear browser cache and data

Having excessive cache and data stored in your browser can cause webpage loading problems and affect various settings. It is essential to regularly clean your browser, which may solve the issue of not being able to download files from Google Drive. Here’s how to clear cache and data using Google Chrome as an example:

  1. Click the menu button (represented by three dots) in the upper-right corner of the browser.
  2. Select More Tools and click Clear browsing data.
  3. Choose “Any time” as the Time range.
  4. Check the boxes next to “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”.
  5. Click CLEAR DATA in the lower-right corner.

Clear Browsing Data

Method 4: Update the browser

Using outdated browsers can lead to various hidden risks, including problems with downloading files from Google Drive. Keeping your browser up to date can help avoid these issues. Here’s how to manually update Google Chrome:

  1. Click Help in the browser menu and select About Google Chrome.
  2. If a newer version is available, the browser will automatically download and install it for you.
  3. After the update is complete, click Relaunch as shown, and Chrome will restart.

Relaunch

Method 5: Reset Google Chrome settings

Incorrect extensions or settings can also cause difficulties in downloading files from Google Drive. Resetting Chrome is an effective way to solve this problem without causing any loss of personal information. Here’s how to reset Google Chrome settings:

  1. Click Menu > Settings in the Chrome browser to access the settings interface.
  2. Scroll down and find the Advanced option. Click it to display additional settings.
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Chrome Settings Advanced

  1. Scroll further and click Restore settings to their original defaults under Reset and clean up.
  2. Click Reset to confirm.

Restore Settings To Their Original Defaults

Method 6: Disable ad block extension

The use of ad blockers has become quite popular, but it can inadvertently cause issues with certain web applications, including Google Drive. If you have an ad blocking extension enabled, try disabling it, reloading your browser, and attempting to download files from Google Drive again.

  1. Open your browser and access the menu.
  2. Click on the Extensions option and manually turn off any ad-blocking extensions.

Disable Browser Extensions

Method 7: Contact Google support team

If you are unsure about the cause of your problem, or none of the methods mentioned above solve your issue, it is advisable to contact the Google support team for assistance. They will usually provide accurate help after understanding your situation.

Visit support.google.com, click Contact us at the bottom of the page, and choose one of the three support options: Request callback, Request chat, or Email support to get in touch with the Google support team.

Google Contact Us

Try a Better Way to Protect Your Files – CBackup

Aside from the problem of being unable to download files from Google Drive, you might encounter other issues while using the service, such as freezing or crashing. Constantly troubleshooting these problems can be time-consuming and exhausting. This is where CBackup comes in, offering an easier way to sync files to Google Drive.

CBackup is a professional cloud backup service renowned for its outstanding performance in data protection. It supports automatic backup and sync of files from your Windows PC to Google Drive, eliminating the need to manually add files for storage each time.

Furthermore, if you need to transfer your Google Drive data to another cloud storage for enhanced security, CBackup can assist you with that as well.

To get started, download the CBackup desktop app and follow these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a free CBackup account and sign in to the CBackup app.
  2. Go to Storage, select Google Drive, and click Authorize Now. Follow the on-screen instructions to grant CBackup access to your Google Drive files.

Select Google Drive

  1. Click the Sync tab and choose Sync PC to Public Cloud to create a sync task.

Sync PC to Public Cloud

  1. Customize the Task Name to differentiate it from other tasks, select the files you want to sync from your PC, and choose a Google Drive folder as the target location.
  2. Access Settings > Scheduler > Set a Sync schedule for automated Sync > select One time only, and click OK to initiate automatic file syncing to Google Drive.
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Sync Scheduler

  1. Click Start Sync to effortlessly and securely sync your files to Google Drive.

Start Sync Files to Google Drive

Bonus Tip: Increase Google Drive Storage for Free

As a Google Drive user, if you regularly store important files on the platform, you might worry about running out of storage space. In addition to purchasing additional storage, you can combine the free space from multiple storage services to expand your backup space. CBackup supports cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.

You can combine the free storage space from multiple Google accounts or merge the space from different cloud storage services. Here’s how to add and merge the space of these accounts in CBackup to increase your Google Drive storage space:

  1. Sign in to CBackup and add your cloud drives under the My Storage tab.
  2. After adding your cloud drives, click Storage > + Add Combined Cloud.

My Storage New Combined Cloud

  1. Select all the cloud drives and click Next. Then determine the order in which to store files and click OK > Combine.

Create New Combined Cloud

Now, all your cloud drives are consolidated in one place. You can utilize the combined backup space to store more important files.

Combined Cloud Details

Furthermore, for users with extensive backup requirements, CBackup offers a cost-effective PC automatic cloud backup solution. As a cloud backup software, CBackup employs a more professional backup approach and provides automated data restoration. So, if you lose your on-premises data or need to free up hard disk space, you can easily restore the required files to your computer.

CBackup offers generous backup space options (1TB or 5TB) with the CBackup Cloud, which you can upgrade to enjoy. Additionally, CBackup allows you to recover your data at any time. Give it a try and experience the benefits!

Final Words

To resolve the “cannot download file from Google Drive” issue, try the methods provided in this article based on the potential causes discussed. As a Google Drive user, if you want more free storage space, consider utilizing CBackup in combination with the free storage offered by multiple storage services for backup purposes. You can also use CBackup’s offsite online solution to back up your important local data.

Remember, CBackup is the better way to protect your files and simplify the syncing process with Google Drive. Don’t let download errors and other Google Drive issues hamper your productivity. Embrace CBackup and enjoy seamless and secure file syncing!