Fixed: Unable to Upload Files on Google Drive?

Now more than ever, cloud or online storage-based services are getting immensely popular, due to their versatility and efficiency, along with the ease of access they provide. Google Drive is perhaps the most commonly used cloud-based storage and provides its users with a lot of features, including the ability to work in a collaboration with our peers. It also provides us with the facility to edit our slides, documents, and spreadsheets and access them across various devices. 

However, some issues can most definitely disrupt our experience in using Google Drive. It has a limited storage capacity which is no more than 15 GBs, but you can expand this storage by making a purchase. Sometimes errors occur that prevent us from opening, viewing, and editing our files saved on Drive. Google Drive can also face an issue where we are unable to upload our files, in order to save them and access them later. 

This article is going to focus on the factors which prevent you from uploading your desired files on Drive and how to resolve these factors so you may get back to an uninterrupted Google Drive session. 

Google Drive Servers might be down

Google Drive servers are mostly responsive this means they are up and running almost always. But there is a slight chance that the servers might be down, causing all sorts of errors. If the server is down you will not be able to upload any files to Google Drive, nor will you be able to access them. You can determine the status of Google Drive by simply searching ‘is drive down?’, and you will be presented with various links tracking the Drive servers. We recommend using ‘downdetector’ as it is efficient in tracing and reporting down websites. The best solution, in this case, is to wait for the servers to start working normally, then you may proceed to upload your files.

Unstable Internet Connection

Another root of this problem can simply be a bad internet connection or no internet connection at all. Drive’s features are available only when you are connected to the internet unless you have some files saved offline. However, in order to upload a file, you must be connected to a stable internet connection, which has a decent uploading speed. You can access your ‘Network & Internet’ settings by striking the ‘Windows + I’, this settings menu will display which type of internet you are connected to if it is ‘Ethernet’ or ‘Wireless’. You can identify potential problems with your internet connection using the ‘Network troubleshooter’ tool. This tool can also guide you in getting rid of these errors. 

Turn off the Anti-virus/Firewall

The internet is an extremely convenient place to browse in search of answers to our questions, but there is no doubt about it that the internet has potential security risks too. In order to avoid these security risks, people tend to use antivirus software of the Windows Firewall protection. These help us stay safe and secure and our data stays out of harm’s way. It is possible that your protective antivirus software or firewall may be preventing files from being uploaded to Google Drive. So for the time that you are uploading to Drive, try disabling your firewall and anti-virus software. It is important to note, that without such software and firewall you are vulnerable to attacks, so as soon as the upload is done you may turn them back on. 

You can turn the Windows Defender Firewall off by following these simple steps.

Step 1: Press the ‘Windows + I’ combination on your keyboard.

Step 2: Access the ‘Update and security’ option in the ‘Settings’ menu.

Step 3: In the left sidebar click on the ‘Windows Security’ option. 

Step 4: Click on the ‘Firewall & network protection’ option.

Step 5: You may now turn the firewall off from the various options.

You may now try to upload your files again. Once the files get uploaded, you can trace your steps back and click on the ‘Restore firewalls to default’ option, and your default firewall settings will be applied.

Clear the cache 

Even though cache intends to help us achieve higher work speeds, by utilizing its high-speed memory abilities, it can provide us with a faster loading speed and less processing time. However, if the cache gets accumulated over time, it can cause various amounts of issues, no matter what you are trying to achieve. A large sum of cache can also prevent you from uploading files to Google Drive. These steps will show you how to delete the Cache from your Chrome Browser and Google Drive mobile application. 

Delete Cache (Chrome)

Step 1: Strike the key combination (Ctrl + H) to quickly access your browser history.

Step 2: At the left, you will see a ‘Clear browsing data’ option. Click on it to reveal a new window.

Step 3: Check the boxes to delete your History, Cache, and Cookies.

Step 4: Select a ‘Time range’, we recommend that you select the ‘All time’ option, as it would get rid of the maximum browsing data. 

Step 5: Click on the ‘Clear data’ button to get rid of the collected cache.

You may now proceed to upload your desired files again and the issue will be resolved.

Delete Cache (Drive app)

Step 1: Go to your ‘Settings’ and locate ‘Apps & notifications’.

Step 2: Reveal all applications by pressing the ‘SEE ALL APPS’ button.

Step 3: Navigate through your apps and find ‘Google Drive’.

Step 4: In the ‘App Info’ menu of Drive you may access the ‘Storage & cache’ option.

Step 5: Press on the ‘CLEAR CACHE’ button to delete Drive’s cache.

Try uploading the same files again using your Drive application and most probably the error would be resolved. 

Possible Fixes 

You can also reside to some traditional methods like, changing your browser or reinstalling, you could also update your browser, so it is able to keep up with the updated version of Google Drive. You may even rename your file to ensure there are no symbols in the name, as symbols are not allowed. Furthermore, you can log out of your account and log back in and that might do the trick as well. You also need to ensure that your Google Drive has enough space, the free version of Drive allows only 15 GBs of storage which runs out fairly quickly. There is an indicator on the bottom left of the ‘My Drive’ section of Google Drive, which tells you how much storage is left on your account.