Fix: Google Drive Unable to Connect

Google Drive is a Backup and Synchronization service provided by Google that was launched in April of 2012. It provides users with the options to store, synchronize and share their files by uploading them to its servers. The files stay on these servers until they are personally deleted by the user and can be accessed from anywhere using the Google Account which was used to upload them in the first place.

However, quite recently, a lot of reports have been coming in of users who are unable to connect to Google Drive. Sometimes, the issue is seen in the middle of the uploading process and sometimes it is seen after the app launches. In this article, we will guide you with viable solutions to fix this problem and we will also inform you about the reasons due to which it is triggered.

What Prevents Google Drive From Connecting?

According to our reports, there are a number of reasons due to which the problem might arise. Here are some of the most common ones:

Now that you have a basic understanding of the nature of the problem, we will move on towards the solutions. Make sure to implement these in the specific order in which they are presented to avoid any conflicts.

Solution 1: Allowing through Firewall

It is possible that the Windows Firewall might be blocking Google Drive from making contact with its database. Therefore, in this step, we will be allowing Google Drive through the Firewall. For that:

1. Press the “Windows” + “S” Keys simultaneously and type in “Firewall”

   

2. Click on the first option and then click on the “Allow an app or feature through Firewall” option.

   

3. Click on the “Change Settings” option.

   

4. Scroll down the list and make sure to check both “Public” and “Private” option for “Google Drive“.

   

5. Click on the apply option and check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 2: Relaunching Google Drive

It is possible that the Google Drive application didn’t launch properly, due to which it is facing issues while connecting to its servers. Therefore, in this step, we will be relaunching the application after closing it completely. For that:

1. Press “Ctrl” + “Alt” + “Del” and select “Task Manager” from the list.
2. Click on the “Processes” tab and then click on the “View” option on the top.

   

3. Uncheck the “Group by Type” option and click on the “Google Drive Sync” option which has the “blue” drive symbol before it.

   

4. Click on “End Task” and click on the “Google Drive Sync” with the “White” drive symbol before it.

   

5. Again, click on “End Task” and close the task manager.
6. Open Google Drive again and check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 3: Checking Antivirus Software

If you have a third party Antivirus software installed on your computer then it is recommended to disable it or add an exception for Google Drive and check to see if the issue persists. Often, as a false alarm third party Antivirus software block Google Drive from making contact with its servers due to which the error is triggered.

Solution 4: Creating a New Account

Sometimes, a certain configuration for the user account might be blocking certain elements of the Google Drive application. Therefore, in this step, we will be creating a new account. For that:

1. Click on the “Start Menu” button and select the “Settings” icon.
2. Inside the settings, click on the “Accounts” button.
   

   

3. Select the “Family & Other People” from the left pane and click on “Add someone Else to this PC“.
   

   

4. Click on the “I don’t have this person’s sign in information” option and select the “Add a user without a Microsoft Account” setting.
   

   

5. Enter the credentials for the account you want to create and click on “Next“.
6. Once the account is created, click on the account and select the “Change account type” Option.
   

   

7. Click on the dropdown and select “Administrator” from the options.
   

   

8. Click on “OK” and sign out of the current account.
9. Sign in to the new account, run the application and check to see if the issue persists.