Drive: Troubleshoot Common Errors

Click one of the errors or problems below to learn how to fix any problems you might be experiencing with Google Drive.

An unknown issue occurred and Google Drive needs to quit.

Google Drive for your Mac/PC quit because of an unspecified error. Restart Google Drive.

If you get this message repeatedly you may also see the message "If you see this error repeatedly, try disconnecting your account."

1. Disconnect your account.
2. Start Google Drive again by opening it from your Applications folder.
3. Re-sync your files.

Your Google Drive folder is missing.

The error most commonly happens when you rename, move, or delete the Google Drive folder on your computer.

If you moved the Google Drive folder to a new place on your computer:

1. Click the Google Drive icon in your computer’s toolbar.
2. Select "Error - Google Drive folder is missing."
3. Click Locate folder...
4. Select your folder in its new location and click Open.
5. Google Drive will reconnect.

If you renamed your Google Drive folder:

1. Click the Google Drive icon in your computer’s toolbar.
2. Select "Error - Google Drive folder is missing."
3. Click Locate folder...
4. Select your renamed version and click Open.
5. Google Drive will reconnect.

If you deleted your Google Drive folder:

1. Click the Google Drive icon in your computer’s toolbar.
2. Select "Error - Google Drive folder is missing."
3. Click Disconnect account.
4. Sign in again. You will be asked to choose a new location for the Google Drive folder.

Syncing is stuck

If the counter for the number of synced files hasn’t changed and syncing hasn’t completed, quit Google Drive and start it again.

More Google storage is needed.

If you see this error message, you’ve reached your storage limit. Read more about how to manage your storage.

Google Drive quits unexpectedly

If Google Drive quits unexpectedly several times without giving you an error message, there’s likely an error with the version of Google Drive for your Mac/PC that you’ve installed.

1. Go to Google Drive.
2. Click the Download Google Drive link in the left navigation.
3. Download the most recent version of Google Drive.
4. During the installation, click Yes when you’re asked to replace your current version.
5. Choose a new Google Drive folder and sync your files.

 

Some files can’t be synced

1. Click the Google Drive icon in your computer’s toolbar.
2. Select View # unsyncable files.
3. Click Retry all.
4. If step 3 doesn't work, quit Google Drive and open it again from your Applications folder.

Still have files that won't sync? Consult this list of error messages related to syncing problems and some possible solutions.

 

Temporary Error (502)

Your documents are temporarily unavailable. These errors generally resolve themselves within a few minutes, so please wait a bit before trying to access them again.

If Google Drive loads but your items aren't displayed, trying clicking on any other view, such as "All items" or "Owned by me." This should make the error message disappear and your files appear as normal.