Google Drive has been the best cloud storage provider owing to its security and other features. However, many users, particularly those using Windows 10, have been facing issues with this software. Users often face difficulty in syncing their files with Google Drive. There may be a number of reasons behind Google Drive is not syncing the files.
How to Fix Google Drive Not Syncing in Windows 10
Usually, some easy workarounds may momentarily fix the problem. There also exist long-term solutions if the problem persists. Following are the different techniques which will solve Google Drive Not Syncing error:
Solution 1: Pause It
One of the simplest measures is to pause and resume Backup and Sync. In the System Tray at the bottom of the screen, first, click on the application icon. Then click on the menu icon and select Pause. After a while, click Resume. It should temporarily solve the issue for the specific file. It will have to be repeated for each file and is not a permanent solution.
Solution 2: Choose Correct Account
While using multiple Google accounts, we must make sure that we are logged into the correct one in Backup and Sync. The account must be the same one from which the files need to be synced.
To verify it, click on the Backup and Sync icon in the System tray and check the email ID. To add a new account to it, click on the menu icon of the application and select Add New Account option. Google Drive allows a maximum of three accounts on one computer.
Solution 3: Run as Administrator
There may be multiple accounts on Windows on a computer. A user may face problems using an application if he is logged in through an account that has limited permissions. In such a case, running the application as an administrator may help.
Locate Backup and Sync in the Start menu and right-click it. Among the given options, select “Run as Administrator.” This simple method reportedly works in many cases.
Solution 4: Restart Backup and Sync
Another temporary solution is to quit Backup and Sync and then restart it. For this, go to the System Tray and click on the app icon to access the menu icon. In the menu bar, select Quit Backup and Sync option.
After quitting, restart the Backup and Sync application. This is done by either selecting it from the Start menu or by searching in the Windows search bar and launching it. The app icon should then reappear in the system tray. After about 2 minutes, check if the syncing problem is resolved.
Solution 5: Reinstall Backup and Sync
The reason for the problem might be that an outdated version of Backup and Sync is installed. It could also be that some of the files in its registry are corrupted. Thus, reinstalling an updated version of the application may solve the problem. To do so, the existing version needs to be uninstalled.
To uninstall the application, follow the steps below:
Step 1: First of all, go to the Settings window by locating it in the Start menu or by pressing Windows key + I. Then, select the Apps option.
Step 2: After that, locate the Backup and Sync application. Next, click on it and select the Uninstall option.
Step 3: To prevent the application’s registry and files from interfering with the system, rename its registry folder in the local storage. You can give it any name.
Step 4: Alternatively, you can use an uninstaller software to remove all registry data along with the application.
Step 5: After uninstalling, install the latest version of Google Backup and Sync.
Solution 6: Sync Folder Settings
Backup and Sync has a feature that allows only selected files to be synced. A possible reason for the failure to sync a file is that the file is not among the selected files. To rectify this, follow the steps below:
Step 1: At first, click on the Backup and Sync icon in the system tray and go to its menu.
Step 2: In the menu bar, select the Preferences option. In the Preferences window, select the Google Drive option in the left panel.
Step 3: Under Google Drive, make sure that the following two options are selected – ‘Sync My Drive to this computer‘ and ‘Sync everything in My Drive.’
If ‘Sync everything in My Drive‘ is selected, all files should be synced. However, if you want to sync only selected files, then select ‘Sync only these folders.’ But then, make sure that the file you want to sync is selected. It should rectify the problem.
Solution 7: Firewall Settings
A firewall is meant to safeguard the computer system from malware. However, it may wrongly flag a certain content or application as malware and hence obstruct its functioning. This can be checked by going to the Firewall settings.
Step 1: Firstly, go to the Settings window by selecting Settings in the Start menu, or by pressing Windows + I.
Step 2: In the Settings window search bar, search “Firewall.” After that, select Firewall and Network Protection.
Step 3: Now, locate and select the “Allow an app through Windows Firewall” option.
Step 4: In the list of apps and programs, locate Backup and Sync. Also, make sure it is enabled under both the public and private columns. Then click, OK.
The obstruction in syncing may also be due to the antivirus software. In that case, check its settings and ensure that Google Drive and Backup and Sync are allowed.
If this does not work, another option is to disable the Firewall or antivirus altogether. However, this must be a last resort as it will compromise the system’s security. If at all it is to be done, enable Firewall and antivirus once again after the syncing is over.
Solution 8: Change Proxy Settings
In case you are using a proxy connection, it may be that Backup and Sync is unable to use it. In such a case, the proxy settings must be checked. Follow the steps below to change proxy settings:
Step 1: First of all, click on the Backup and Sync icon in the system tray and go to its menu. Then, select Preferences in the menu.
Step 2: In the left panel of the Preferences window, select Settings. Under Settings, select Network Settings option.
Step 3: Then under proxy settings, select “Direct connection” instead of “Auto-detect.” Then click OK and check if the Google Drive Not Syncing is resolved.
Solution 9: Delete desktop.ini File
Every time there is a failure to sync a file on Google Drive, a desktop.ini file recording the error is generated. This file is by default hidden. Once this file is generated, no subsequent file will be synced until the error is rectified. Thus, finding and deleting this file will help solve the problem.
Step 1: Firstly, go to the folder whose files could not be synced. In the top menu, select the View tab.
Step 2: Secondly, select Options and then, click on the “Change folder and search options.”
Step 3: In the Folder Options window that appears, select the View tab.
Step 4: In the list under Advanced settings, select “Show hidden files, folders and drives” and click OK. Return to the folder. If the desktop.ini file exists, delete it.
Step 5: At last, restart Sync and see if the Google Drive Not Syncing error is solved.
Solution 10: File Size and Name Length
Sometimes, the reason for the problem might be simpler than you think. There may not be enough space in Google Drive to sync the file. Check the file size, and if it is larger than the available space, delete some other files to create space.
The maximum space in Google Drive is 15GB. Another possible reason is that the file name has characters in excess of Microsoft’s maximum limit of 255. In such a case, renaming the file to something shorter is the solution.
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Conclusion
Thus, various simple solutions have been discussed regarding the problem of Google Drive Not Syncing files. Each solution is based on the probable cause of the problem, and there may be a number of causes. Some of the simpler hacks like pausing, restarting, or running as the administrator may suffice.
Other methods like disabling firewall or antivirus are better avoided if not necessary due to their risks. Google Drive is easy to use, and popular cloud storage software and any of the simple hacks must usually solve the failure of syncing.