How to Fix the “Download Drive Network Error” Issue in Google Chrome

Have you ever tried to download a file from Google Drive using Chrome and got a message saying “Failed – network error”? This can be frustrating, especially if you need that file urgently. But don’t worry, there are some easy ways to fix this issue and resume your download.

The download drive network error occurs when Chrome encounters an error while downloading your file from Google Drive. This can happen due to various reasons, such as a poor or unstable internet connection, an antivirus or firewall blocking your download, or a problem with your Chrome settings. In this article, we will show you how to resolve this issue using seven simple solutions.

Solution 1: Check Your Internet Connection

The first thing you should do when you get the download drive network error is to check your internet connection. Sometimes, your connection may stop working while Chrome is downloading your file, causing the error. To test your connection, open a new tab in your browser and try to access any site. If the site fails to load, then your connection is likely the culprit.

To fix your connection, you can try some basic troubleshooting steps, such as rebooting your router, reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network, or using an Ethernet cable instead of wireless. If these steps don’t work, you may need to contact your internet service provider and ask for help.

Solution 2: Restart Your Computer

Another possible cause of the download drive network error is a minor technical glitch on your computer. This can affect how Chrome downloads files from Google Drive. One way to fix this is by restarting your computer. This will refresh your system and clear any temporary files or processes that may interfere with your download.

To restart your computer, follow these steps:

Save any work you have open and close all your programs.
Click on the Start menu and select the Power icon.
Choose Restart from the options.
Wait for your computer to reboot and then open Chrome again.

Try to download your file from Google Drive and see if the error is gone.

Solution 3: Save Your File in a Different Folder or Drive

Sometimes, the download drive network error can occur because of a conflict or an error with the folder or drive where you are saving your file. For example, the folder may be corrupted, full, or inaccessible. To avoid this, you can try saving your file in a different location on your computer.

To change the default download location in Chrome, follow these steps:

Open Chrome and click on the three-dot icon at the top right corner.
Select Settings from the menu.
Scroll down and click on Advanced.
Under Downloads, click on Change next to Location.
Browse and select a different folder or drive where you want to save your downloads.
Click on OK to confirm.

Now, try to download your file from Google Drive again and see if it works.

Solution 4: Use Chrome’s Incognito Mode to Download Your File

Another possible solution for the download drive network error is to use Chrome’s incognito mode. This is a private browsing mode that does not store any browsing history, cookies, cache, or extensions. These factors can sometimes interfere with your download and cause the error. By using incognito mode, you can bypass them and download your file without any issues.

To open an incognito window in Chrome, follow these steps:

Open Chrome and click on the three-dot icon at the top right corner.
Select New incognito window from the menu.
A new window will open with a dark background and an icon of a hat and glasses.
Go to Google Drive and sign in with your account.
Find the file you want to download and click on it.
Click on the Download icon at the top right corner.

Your file should start downloading without any errors. You can close the incognito window when you are done.

Solution 5: Use Another Web Browser

If none of the above solutions work, you may want to try using another web browser to download your file from Google Drive. This can help you determine if the problem is specific to Chrome or not. If you can download your file using another browser, then the issue is likely caused by Chrome. However, if you still get the same error, then the problem may be with Google Drive or your computer.

Some of the alternative browsers that you can try are Firefox, Edge, or Safari. These are popular and reliable browsers that support Google Drive and other web services. You can download and install them from their official websites and use them to access your Google Drive account and download your file.

Solution 6: Temporarily Turn Off Your Antivirus and Firewall

Another possible cause of the download drive network error is your antivirus or firewall software. These programs are designed to protect your computer from malicious files or attacks, but sometimes they may block or scan your download, causing the error. This can happen if your antivirus or firewall considers your file as suspicious or unsafe.

To fix this, you can try temporarily turning off your antivirus and firewall software and see if that allows you to download your file from Google Drive. However, you should only do this if you trust the source and content of your file and if you have a secure connection. You should also turn them back on as soon as you finish downloading your file.

To disable your antivirus and firewall software, follow these steps:

Find the icon of your antivirus or firewall software on your taskbar and right-click on it.
Select Disable or Turn off from the menu.
Choose how long you want to disable it, such as until restart or for 15 minutes.
Confirm your choice and close the window.

Now, try to download your file from Google Drive again and see if it works. Remember to enable your antivirus and firewall software again after downloading your file.

Solution 7: Reset Chrome to the Factory Settings

The last resort that you can try to fix the download drive network error is to reset Chrome to the factory settings. This will restore Chrome’s default configuration and fix any corrupted or misconfigured settings that may cause the error. However, this will also erase all your browsing data, bookmarks, passwords, and extensions, so you should only do this if you have backed up your data or if you don’t mind losing it.

To reset Chrome to the factory settings, follow these steps:

Open Chrome and click on the three-dot icon at the top right corner.
Select Settings from the menu.
Scroll down and click on Advanced.
Under Reset and clean up, click on Restore settings to their original defaults.
Click on Reset settings to confirm.

Chrome will restart and reset itself to the factory settings. Now, try to download your file from Google Drive again and see if it works.

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown you how to fix the download drive network error issue in Google Chrome. This error can prevent you from downloading files from Google Drive using Chrome, but it can be resolved using some simple solutions. We have discussed seven solutions that you can try:

Check your internet connection
Restart your computer
Save your file in a different folder or drive
Use Chrome’s incognito mode to download your file
Use another web browser
Temporarily turn off your antivirus and firewall
Reset Chrome to the factory settings

We hope that these solutions have helped you fix the download drive network error issue and resume your download. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

FAQs

Q: What is Google Drive?

A: Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows you to store and access files online. You can upload files from your computer or mobile device, share them with others, and sync them across different devices. You can also create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and more using Google’s online tools.

Q: How do I download files from Google Drive?

A: To download files from Google Drive using Chrome, follow these steps:

Go to drive.google.com and sign in with your Google account.

Find the file you want to download and click on it.

Click on the Download icon at the top right corner of the file preview.

Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the file and click on Save.

Your file will start downloading and you can open it from your computer.

Q: How do I fix the “Failed to load PDF document” error in Chrome?

A: Sometimes, when you try to download a PDF file from Google Drive using Chrome, you may get an error message saying “Failed to load PDF document”. This can happen if Chrome is unable to display or download the PDF file properly. To fix this, you can try these steps:

Clear your browser cache and cookies by going to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data and selecting the time range and data types you want to clear.
Update your Chrome browser to the latest version by going to Settings > About Chrome and clicking on Update if available.
Download the PDF file using another web browser or a dedicated PDF reader software.

Q: How do I resume a failed download in Chrome?

A: If your download fails or gets interrupted in Chrome, you may be able to resume it from where it left off. To do this, follow these steps:

Go to the Downloads page in Chrome by pressing Ctrl + J on your keyboard or clicking on the three-dot icon at the top right corner and selecting Downloads.
Find the failed download and click on Resume next to it.
If Resume is not available, right-click on the failed download and select Copy link address.
Open a new tab in Chrome and paste the link address in the address bar.
Press Enter to start downloading the file again.

Q: How do I prevent Chrome from blocking my downloads?

A: Sometimes, Chrome may block your downloads if it detects that they are unsafe or harmful. This is a security feature that protects your computer from malicious files or attacks. However, if you trust the source and content of your downloads, you can prevent Chrome from blocking them by following these steps:

Go to the Downloads page in Chrome by pressing Ctrl + J on your keyboard or clicking on the three-dot icon at the top right corner and selecting Downloads.
Find the blocked download and click on Keep dangerous file next to it.
Click on Keep anyway to confirm.

Q: How do I contact Google Drive support?

A: If you have any issues or questions related to Google Drive that are not covered in this article, you can contact Google Drive support for help. To do this, follow these steps:

Go to drive.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
Click on the question mark icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
Select Help from the menu.
Browse through the topics and articles that may answer your question or issue.
If you still need help, click on Contact us at the top right corner of the help center.
Choose a contact option, such as chat, email, or phone, and follow the instructions to reach a Google Drive support agent.

bc1a9a207d