Fix: Google Drive ‘Error Loading Python DLL’

The Error Loading Python DLL error typically occurs when the user tries to open the desktop version of Google Drive or several seconds after starting the syncing procedure. In most cases, the error window points towards a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) named python27.dll.

What’s causing the Error Loading Python DLL error and how to resolve it?

1. Fix Permissions

As it turns out, one of the most common reasons that will trigger the Error Loading Python DLL error with the desktop version of Google Drive is a permission issue that ends up preventing the application from using certain files stored inside the temp folder.

Several affected users that found themselves in a similar situation have reported that they finally managed to fix the problem after they modified the default permissions of the Temp folder in a way that will include inheritable permissions from the object’s parent.

Here’s a quick guide on how to do this on Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10:

1. Open Windows Explorer and paste the following address in the navigation bar and hit Enter to get there instantly:

   %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\

2. Once you are inside the Local folder, scroll down through the list of folders and locate the Temp folder.
3. After you manage to locate the correct folder, right-click on it and click on Properties from the context menu.

   

4. Once you’re inside the Properties screen, click on the Security tab from the ribbon bar at the top.
5. Inside the Security tab, click on the Advanced the button associated with special permissions.

   

6. Inside the Advanced Security Settings for Temp, select each entry under Permission entries and click Remove to clear the entire Permission box.

   

7.  Once every permission entry has been deleted, check the box associated with Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object. Next, click Apply to save the changes.
8. Restart your computer and see if the problem was resolved after the next startup sequence is complete.

In case you’re still seeing the Error Loading Python DLL error even after doing these modifications, move down to the next potential fix below.

2. Run GoogleDriveSync.exe in Compatibility Mode

If you’re only encountering the Error Loading Python DLL error, the moment your Google Drive installation attempts to sync your files, chances are you will be able to fix the problem by forcing the executable to run in compatibility mode with Windows 7.

Most affected users are suggesting that this species occurs with Windows 10 insider builds or builds that aren’t updated with the latest security updates. In any case, the desktop version of Google Drive doesn’t receive the support that it deserves due to the relatively small user base.

Here’s a quick guide on forcing the GoogleDriveSync.exe to run in Compatibility Mode in order to fix the Error Loading Python DLL error:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location to reveal the GoogleDriveSync executable:

   C:\Program Files\Google\Drive

2. Once you see the executable, right-click on it and choose Properties from the context menu.
3. Inside the GoogleDriveSync’s properties screen, select the Compatibility tab from the ribbon bar at the top.
4. After you get to the correct location, check the box associated with Run this program in compatibility mode for and select Windows 7 from the drop-down menu.

   

5. Click Apply to save the changes, then run double-click the executable and see if the issue is no longer occurring.
   Note: If the operation was successful and you’re no longer encountering the issue, the change should be permanent. This executable is called at every startup, and you just added a compatibility layer to it.

In case the same Error Loading Python DLL error is still occurring even after enforcing this change, move down tot he next potential fix below.

3. Run executable with admin access

As it turns out, this issue can also be facilitated by the fact that the main Google Drive executable (GoogleDriveSync.exe) is not prevented to run with admin access. This will inevitably create issues and instability since the program requires a persistent connection with Google Drive.

Several affected users that encountered the same issue have confirmed that they managed to fix the issue after forcing the GoogleDriveSync.exe to run with administrator privileges.

Here’s a quick guide on forcing the desktop version of Google Drive to run with admin access:

1. Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the following location:

   C:\Program Files\Google\Drive

2. Once you arrive at the correct location, right-click on GoogleDriveSync.exe and click on Properties from the newly appeared context menu.

   

3. Inside the Properties screen of GoogleDriveSync.exe, select the Compatibility tab at the top of the window. Next, move down to the Settings menu and check the box associated with Run this program as an administrator.

   

4. Click Apply to save the changes, then restart the desktop version of Google Drive and see if the problem has been resolved.

   

If the same Error Loading Python DLL error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.

4. Clean the temp folder

This might seem like a crude solution, but we managed to find several user reports confirming that the Error Loading Python DLL error was entirely resolved after they ended up clearing the entire Temp directory.

After doing this and restarting the computer, they confirmed that Google Drive was finally allowed to start up and sync normally. This is evidence that temporary files can interfere with Google Drive’s desktop ability to run normally on Windows 10.

Here’s a quick guide clearing the temp folder on Windows 10 in order to fix the Error Loading Python DLL:

1. Open File Explorer and paste the following location in the navigation bar and press Enter to get there instantly:

   %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\

2. After you manage to get inside the correct location, scroll down through the list of items and double-click on the Temp folder once you manage to locate it.
3. Once you’re inside the Temp folder, press Ctrl + A to select every item, then right-click and choose Delete to get rid of every temporary file.

   

4. After the Temp folder has been cleared, restart your computer and see if the issue is resolved at the next system startup by attempting to start Google Drive once again on your Windows computer.

If the same problem is persisting, move down to the next potential fix below.

5. Install Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redist

As it turns out, this particular issue can occur in situations where the desktop version of Google Drive is installed on a machine that doesn’t have the redist package included with Microsoft Visual C++.

As it turns out, several dependencies included with this package are absolutely essential for the application to work. The problem is, the Google Drive installer doesn’t include it and Windows 10 doesn’t have it installed by default.

If this scenario is applicable, you can fix the issue by downloading and installing the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:

1. Visit this link (here), select your language and hit Download.
   

   

2. On the next screen, check the box associated with the system architecture that you’re using. If you’re using a 32-bit version, download vcredist_x86.exe. If you have a 64-bit version, download vcredist_x64.exe instead.

   

3. Wait until the download is complete, then double-click on the installation executable and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

   

   Note: If you’re prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant admin access.

4. Once the operation is complete, restart your computer and see if the issue is fixed.

If the same problem is persisting, move down to the final method below.

6. Install the latest Backup and Sync version

If none of the methods above have allowed you to fix the issue, it’s likely that you’re encountering the problem due to the fact that you’re using an outdated version of Google Drive’s Backup and Sync. As it turns out, this desktop version of Google Drive is notoriously known for its inability to update to the latest version.

Note: If you mistakenly deleted important files, here’s how to recover deleted files from Google drive.

If this scenario is applicable and you haven’t updated the application in a while, here’s a quick guide on uninstalling the current version and then installing the latest build available.

Note: Keep in mind that this operation will not make you lose any data. Your files are still safely tucked away on the cloud.

Here’s what you need to update to the latest Backup and Sync version:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter to open up the Programs and Features menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Programs and Features menu, scroll down through the list of installed applications and locate the Backup and Sync from Google application.
3. When you see it, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the newly appeared context menu.

   

4. Next, click Yes at the confirmation prompt to begin the uninstallation process. Once the operation is complete, restart your computer to flush out the remaining temp files related to this application.
5. Once the next startup sequence is complete, open your default browser and access this link (here).

   

6. Once the download is complete, open the installation executable and follow the prompts to complete the installation before doing another system restart.
7. After the next startup sequence, retry the operation that was previously causing the Error Loading Python DLL error and see if the problem is now sorted out.