How to Fix Google Drive File Stream not Working

When Google Drive File Stream stops working, you might see that files aren’t syncing, the app won’t start, or error messages like “Can’t connect to Google Drive” keep showing up. This happens because the app can’t maintain a stable connection with Google’s servers, often due to login or setup mistakes. The usual cause is corrupted cache files.

Outdated software, wrong proxy settings, or blocked firewall connections can also be reasons.

In this article, we will discuss several ways to solve this error.

1. Rename the DriveFS Folder

Sometimes, the cached data in Drive File Stream can get corrupted and cause syncing problems or stop the app from working. By renaming the DriveFS folder, Google Drive will create new cache and configuration files, resetting the app’s local data without removing any files stored in the cloud. This step helps remove corrupted data that might be blocking normal operation.

1. Exit your Google Drive File Stream app.
2. Launch the Terminal on macOS or the Command Prompt on Windows.
3. Type the following path and press return:
   
   • For Mac:

     ~/Library/Application Support/Google

   • For Windows:

     %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\

4. Find and rename the DriveFS folder (or delete it).
5. Restart your system.
6. Launch the File Stream app and check if the problem is resolved.

2. Update Your OS and The File Stream App

Keeping both your operating system and Google Drive File Stream app updated ensures they work well with Google’s servers and the latest security measures. Updates often fix bugs, improve performance, and include solutions for known issues that might cause sync problems. By using the latest versions, you reduce the chances of software conflicts or missing features needed for smooth operation.

3. Change Your Network or Use a VPN

Sometimes, strict network settings or regional limits can stop Google Drive File Stream from connecting to its servers. Changing to another network or using a VPN can get around these limits, allowing a direct and secure connection to Google’s servers, which often fixes syncing and access problems.

4. Disable Your Antivirus and Firewall

Your antivirus or firewall might interfere with Google Drive File Stream by blocking its connection attempts, mistakenly seeing them as threats. Temporarily turning off these security tools helps the app connect to Google’s servers and sync files smoothly.

Warning: Disable your antivirus and firewall applications at your own risk, as this step will make your system more vulnerable to threats like viruses, malware, etc.

1. Disable your antivirus and turn off the firewall on your system.
2. Check if File Stream is working properly.
3. If it is, then add an exception for Google File Stream in your antivirus/firewall settings.

5. Uninstall Chrome Remote Desktop (Screen Scraper Software)

Screen-sharing tools like Chrome Remote Desktop can cause issues with Google Drive File Stream by interfering with system resources or network settings. Uninstalling these tools removes the issues, ensuring smoother operation and better compatibility with Google Drive’s syncing process.

Make sure to power cycle your computer before opening File Stream again.

6. Use Google Drive File Stream Through Another User

Switching to another user account can help identify the problem by ruling out issues related to corrupted user settings or permissions. By accessing Google Drive File Stream through a different account, you can find out if the problem is linked to your main profile or system settings, allowing for more specific troubleshooting.

1. Create a new user with admin privileges. For macOS, you should also create an administrator user.
2. Launch Google Drive File Stream in the newly created user account and check if the problem is resolved.

7. Disable the Other Version of Google Cloud Service

Google cloud services include Google Backup & Sync (for home users) and Google Drive File Stream (for work/school users). Sometimes, users run both at the same time. However, a software glitch may cause Backup & Sync to interfere with Google Drive File Stream. Closing or uninstalling Backup & Sync might fix the issue.

1. Exit the Google File Stream app and terminate all its running processes.
2. Exit Google Backup and Sync and terminate all its running processes through the Task Manager.

   

3. Launch the Google File Stream app and check if the issue is resolved.

8. Uninstall the Google File Stream App and Reinstall the Updated Version

Sometimes, a fresh start is all you need. Uninstalling Google Drive File Stream removes any bad files or settings causing the issue. Reinstalling the latest version ensures you have an updated app, getting rid of bugs or old parts that might cause problems. This step resets the app but keeps your synced files safe in the cloud.

1. Backup essential files from your Google Stream File folder to a safer location. Un-synced files will be lost if not backed up.
2. Open Google Drive File Stream and click More (three vertical dots).
3. Click Sign out.
4. Again, in Google Drive File Stream, click More and then Quit.

   

5. Right-click on the taskbar and select the Task Manager.

   

6. In the Task Manager window, find and right-click on a process related to the Google File Stream app.
7. Select End Process.
8. Repeat the process for all other processes related to the Google File Stream app.
9. Press the Windows key and type Control Panel. Then in the search results, click on Control Panel.

   

10. In the Control Panel window, click on Uninstall a program.

    

11. In the list of installed programs, find and right-click on the Google File Stream application.
12. Select Uninstall.
13. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
14. Press the Windows key and type Run. Then in the search results, click on Run.

    

15. Type the following command in the Run command box and press Enter:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\

(For Mac: location of DriveFS folder is ~/Library/Application Support/Google)

16. Find and right-click on the DriveFS folder and then click Delete (you can rename the folder as well).

    

17. Restart your system.
18. Launch the Google File Stream app and check if the problem is resolved.
19. Download the official Google File Stream setup from Google’s website.
20. After the download completes, install the downloaded file by following the on-screen instructions.
21. Once the installation is complete, sign in to Google File Stream.

9. Save Google Drive File Stream Files Offline

Making your Google Drive File Stream files available offline lets you work on them without needing a constant internet connection. This avoids syncing problems from unstable networks, allowing easy access to important files while fixing connectivity issues.

1. In File Explorer, open the Google Drive File Stream drive.

   

2. Select and right-click on a file or folder, then choose Drive File Stream.
3. In the sub-menu, click on Available Offline.

   

4. Check if the problem is resolved.

10. Turn off Screen Share

Mac has a feature that allows a user to share their screen with another Mac user. But due to a bug, Google Drive File Stream may not work when the screen share option is enabled on your Mac. In that case, disabling the screen share may solve the problem.

1. Quit File Stream.
2. Open your Mac’s System Preferences.
3. Go to Sharing.
4. Uncheck the Screen Sharing checkbox.

   

5. Relaunch File Stream and check if the problem is resolved.

11. Unblock Google Drive File Stream and Allow Full Disk Access and Accessibility

Giving Google Drive File Stream full disk access and enabling accessibility permissions helps the app work smoothly with your system’s files and settings. Without these permissions, the app might not access or sync files correctly, causing problems. This step makes sure the app has the needed rights to work without being blocked by system restrictions or security settings.

1. Launch Google Drive File Stream. If you see a message that it is blocked, do not close the message or the app. Also, do not click the link/button in the message.

   

2. Open System Preferences on your Mac.
3. Go to Security & Privacy.
4. At the bottom right of the General tab, find the option “System software from developer ‘Google, Inc’ was blocked from loading” and click on Allow.

   

5. Select Google and click Ok.

   

6. Quit the File Stream.
7. Relaunch the File Stream and check if the issue is resolved.
8. If not, quit the File Stream and end all its processes using the Activity Monitor.
9. Open Security & Privacy in Mac’s System Preferences as mentioned above.
10. Navigate to the Privacy tab.
11. Click on the lock icon and enter your password, if required, to edit the Privacy settings.
12. Add Google Drive File Stream in the Accessibility and Full Disk Access sections.

    

13. In Full Disk Access, add apps like Preview, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Google Docs, and Google Sheets that use files from Google Drive File Stream.
14. Click the lock icon again to prevent further changes and close Security & Privacy.
15. Launch Google Drive File Stream and check if the issue is resolved.

12. Use Recovery Mode and Terminal Commands

If basic troubleshooting doesn’t work, using macOS Recovery Mode and Terminal commands gives you more control to fix Google Drive File Stream problems. This method lets you fix disk permissions, reset important system settings, or clear app data that might be causing issues. By using specific commands, you can directly fix corrupted cache files or wrong settings, ensuring the app works properly.

Warning: Proceed at your own risk, as disabling this macOS feature will make your system more vulnerable.

Also, we will try to authorize your Google Drive File Stream in macOS.

1. Power off your system.
2. Power on the system and press Command+R to enter Recovery mode.
3. Go to the Utilities menu and open Terminal.

   

4. Enter the following commands and press return:

   sudo spctl --master-disable
   
   spctl kext-consent disable
   
   -bash-3.2# spctl kext-consent add EQHXZ8M8AV

5. Exit the Terminal and restart your system.

6. In normal mode, open Terminal and enter:

   $ sudo spctl kext-consent list

   Ensure the system shows Identifier: EQHZ8M8AV

7. In the terminal, enter and press return:

   defaults write com.google.drivefs.settings ForceBrowserAuth -bool true

8. Input the following commands and press return:

   sudo rm -rf /Applications/Google\ Drive\ File\ Stream.app/
   
   rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Google/DriveFS
   
   sudo chmod a+wx ~/Library/"Application Support"/Google

9. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
10. Enable “Anywhere” under “Allow apps downloaded from,” if not available, repeat previous steps.

    

11. Click Allow in the General tab, if not done before.
12. In Privacy (Accessibility tab), remove then add Google Drive File Stream.

    

13. Exit Google Drive File Stream.
14. Restart your system.
15. Relaunch Google Drive File Stream and check for resolution.