Google Drive Not Syncing, Learn How to Fix this Problem

Run Diagnostic Script

We have designed a Batch File (.bat) that automatically diagnoses Google Drive synchronization errors.

The script kills the launcher file googledrivesync.exe located at C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Drive, empties Google Drive cache, temp folder contents located at C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Google\Drive\user_default\TempData and HTTP Cache. It also automatically restarts the process.

1. Open Notepad. (Start > All Apps > Windows Accessories > Notepad).
2. Copy and paste the following command lines exactly as they are given below:
   IMPORTANT: This script is designed by Sorcim Technologies (Pvt) Ltd to diagnose Google Drive sync error.  Sorcim Technologies Pvt Ltd does not take any kind of responsibility. Continue the diagnostic process entirely at your own risk. If you do not agree, immediately click the Close [X] button to EXIT this script.
   @ECHO offecho .echo   Hi!!

   echo .

   echo   

   echo .

   echo   Prerequisites:

   echo .

   echo   1. Make sure you run this file as Admin. (Right click and select Run as administrator)

   echo   2. Do not close the window until the process is completed with successful message.

   echo .

   echo   Important:

   echo .

   echo       

   echo        

   echo        

   echo .

   set /p drive=. Press ENTER to start diagnostic . . .

   echo .

   echo .

   IF ERRORLEVEL 0 (goto :KillProcess) ELSE goto :CompletionMsg

   :KillProcess

   start “” “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Drive\googledrivesync.exe”

   echo Killing googledrivesync.exe process

   taskkill /f /im googledrivesync.exe

   echo Deleting Google Drive temp data files and HTTP cache

   del /f/s/q “%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Drive\user_default\TempData\*.*”

   echo Restarting googledrivesync.exe process

   start “” “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Drive\googledrivesync.exe”

   :CompletionMsg

   echo .

   echo .

   echo   Successfully completed the diagnostic process.

   echo .

   set /p drive=. Press ENTER to exit the window . . .

   exit

3. Save the Notepad file with the following attributes:

• File Name: FixIt.bat
• File Type: All Files
• Location: Desktop

4. Exit Notepad.
5. Go to Desktop. Right-click the FixIt.bat file and choose “Run as administrator”.
6. Carefully read the instructions in the Command Prompt window and press ENTER to start the troubleshooting process.

 

Delete Duplicates or Upgrade Your Subscription

You could have exceeded the maximum storage limit of 15GB. Subscribe for additional storage volume, or clean up the duplicate files using Sorcim’s Clone Files Checker. This program helps with identifying and cleaning all sorts of dupes, including documents, images, music, videos and archives.

 

Disconnect & Reconnect

You can fix temporary glitches by disconnecting and reconnecting Google Drive.

1. Click Google Drive’s system tray icon.
2. Choose Settings | Preferences.
3. In the new dialog, click the Account tab.
4. Click “Disconnect account” button.
5. Quit Google Drive and then restart your laptop.
6. Click Start > All Apps > Google Drive > Google Drive.

 

Troubleshoot Connection Issues

Here is a workaround to diagnose the Internet connection problems that interrupt the sync process:

• Improve Signal Strength: Change the location of your Wi-Fi device. Get more signal strength by moving it from one room to another
• Reboot Router: Turn off and then turn on your router
• Reset the Device: Press and hold Reset key of your Wi-Fi device while it is on. This will restore default configurations
• Use Network Troubleshooter: Click Start | Settings. Type “Troubleshooting” in the Search Box in the upper right text box. Launch the wizard to diagnose the Internet connection through Network and Internet category

 

Reinstall Google Drive

This is perhaps the easiest and most widely used method to diagnose any bugs. Possibly, one or more program files for Google Drive have gone missing, moved, renamed, corrupted or deleted.

1. Quit Google Drive.
2. Click Start | Settings.
3. Click System | Apps & Features.
4. In the “Type an app name” textbox, type Google Drive.
5. When the search result is displayed, click it and then Uninstall the program.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstall process.
7. Restart your machine.
8. Go to Google Drive website, and then click the Settings icon > Download Drive option.
9. Install the downloaded program.

 

Sync Custom Folders

Something unexpected has happened while synchronizing particular files/ folders. It may be possible that some files cannot be synchronized due to compatibility issues. Hence, choose a few custom folders.

1. Open Google Drive Preferences dialog.
2. Click Sync Options tab.
3. Choose the option labeled Sync only these folders.
4. Uncheck “All folders in Google Drive” checkbox.
5. Check very few files as an experiment. Recommended: Select only documents, presentations, spreadsheets, forms and not any other file types.
6. Click Apply.

 

Obtain Document Access Permissions

Sometimes, you do not have required permissions to open a document. In such a scenario, obtaining the required permissions from the document owner is the only way out.

If you’re sharing documents with multiple email accounts on the same machine, make sure that the concerning document is shared with the email account that you’re currently logged in to Google Drive Desktop client.

Contact the document owner with following instructions to obtain read, write access permissions.

1. Click the Share button in the upper right corner.
2. A new dialog named as “Share with others”  will appear.
3. Select “Anyone with the link can edit” from the Link sharing on drop-down box.
4. Specify the email id of the recipient in “People” textbox.
5. Choose “Can Edit” from the next drop down box.
6. Click the Done button to save changes and exit.

Now the recipient will receive an email notification intimidating them that the document is shared with a link to open/ modify it. If the email doesn’t appear depending on the actual Sharing settings, simply obtain the document’s link from the owner.

 

Pause and Restart Sync

The sync process sometimes gets stuck due to an unknown reason. Pause and restart it as instructed below:

1. Locate the Google Drive system tray icon.
2. Select Settings | Pause.
3. Restart computer / laptop.
4. Locate the same icon again. Choose Settings | Resume.

 

Enable Diagnostic Mode

Diagnostic Mode runs the app with limited functionalities. Press and hold the Shift key while clicking on the Options menu simultaneously. Select “Enable diagnostic mode” to enter into it.