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Google Drive Not Syncing (Drive for Desktop)

Short answer: If files aren't syncing between your computer and My Drive, Google recommends these basic steps.

TL;DR: quick fix

Check your computer meets system requirements and is online.
Restart Drive for desktop.
Restart your computer.

Is Google Drive down?

Before you change settings, check Google Workspace Status Dashboard. If there's an outage, wait it out.

How to fix it: step by step

Check your computer meets system requirements and is online.
Restart Drive for desktop.
Restart your computer.
Disconnect and reconnect your account.
Reinstall Drive for desktop.
Avoid system-cleaner apps such as CCleaner that can edit Drive's configuration.

FAQ

Can firewalls stop Drive syncing?

Yes. Firewall and proxy settings can interfere with Drive for desktop.

More Google Drive fixes

Google Drive Not Working: Common Fixes

Last checked Oct 2026 against the official help page: Google Help. Menus can differ by app version; follow the official page if a step doesn't match.