If you are having Google Drive not Syncing Windows 11 issue, here are best methods that you can try to get its fix.
This becomes a fact that offering from Silicon Valley giant is at the top of pecking order in terms of cloud storage services. Masses have this go-choice because of its offering 15 GB free storage space and its streamlined sync functions.
Also, you can easily sync and save your files and folders directly to the cloud along the same lines with its desktop builds. However, the users with the latest Windows 11 finding difficulties in making full use of the feature.
They raised a voice on the concern regarding the Drive’s inability to sync files/folders in Windows 11. If you are running on the same boat, then this guide is for you. It will help you with various methods to fix the Google Drive for Desktop not working on Windows 11 error. So, without delaying further, let’s start.
Possible fixes for Google Drive not syncing windows 11
Try the below mentioned workarounds and then check which one works for your case:
Fix 1: Use a different Network
A temporary blip in network connectivity could be the reason for the Drive’s sync functionality. You should therefore consider switching over to a different network and then retry the syncing the files over to Drive.
Fix 2: Clear Files Caches on your system
Enter %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\ and either Delete or rename DriveFS & Drive folder. The Drive folder presents here is a redundant folder from the Backup and the Sync app used in the past can be deleted.
Fix 3: Pause and Resume Sync
Next workaround that you should try if you do not get the fix Google Drive not syncing windows 11 at the moment is to put a hold on the sync feature and then resume it to give a fresh instance to work upon. This might also rectify the underling sync issues. So, proceed with the below steps:
- On the Taskbar, click on Show hidden icons,
- Select Google Drive from the appeared menu,
- Click on Settings at the top right and click Pause,
- Wait a second and then click on Resume option,
- Check if this fixes the issue.
Fix 4: Restart Google Drive app
- Your next action should be to close the app and let it start off in a new session. Here is how:
- Open Google Drive and go to the settings,
- Select Quit,
- Once done, go to the start menu and search Google Drive and open it,
- Wait for a second and it will automatically restart the sync process.
Fix 5: Remove Bandwidth Limitation
The Bandwidth limitation to the app might be causing Google Drive not syncing windows 11 issue. Thus, you should consider removing the bandwidth constraint, at least from the Upload domain. Here is how:
- Launch Drive and click on the gear icon at the top right,
- Select Preferences,
- Click on the settings option on the menu bar,
- Scroll down to find Bandwidth settings and uncheck the Upload Rate option,
- Finally, click on ‘Save’ option and check if the issue is gone.
Fix 6: Run Google Drive as Administrator
You need administrative level privileges before syncing to files over the cloud if you are syncing any system level configuration files or a file/folder stored on C drive. Without gaining this permission, the app might not be able to sync those files and in return you receive the syncing issue. So proceed with the below steps:
- Go to the start menu and search for Google Drive,
- Then, click on the Run as Administrator,
- Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt,
- Now, it will work with elevated permission and the issue might probably be fixed.
Fix 7: Check the Firewall and add Google Drive to Whitelist
Your Windows Defender Firewall might raise false positive and thus preventing you from interacting with the Drive. In that case, you would require instruct the Firewall not to scan the Drive folder or block any of its online functionality. You can do this by adding the app to the Defender’s Whitelist. Here is how:
- Open Start menu and search for Windows Defender Firewall,
- Click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall,
- Then, click on browse, navigate to DriveFS.exe file and click on it,
- Finally, click Add> Ok to confirm the changes.
Fix 8: Change the Proxy Settings for your PC
Conflicts due to the PC’s proxy settings might result in Google Drive not syncing windows 11 issue. Thus, it is recommended that you allow the Drive to bypass the proxy and let it establish the connection with the servers directly:
- Launch the Drive app and go to the settings,
- Choose preferences,
- Again, click on settings icon on the left bar,
- Now, scroll down to find Proxy settings, and select Direct Connection,
- Then, click on Save button and check if the Google Drive not syncing Windows 11 issue is gone.
Fix 9: Check if Desktop.ino file is problematic
It is a system file that stores information related to the changes you make to your Windows files and folders. If there any issue related to Drive arises, it is automatically created onto the desktop, acting as a log file that stores the details of the underlying issue.
But, as many users noticed, till the file contains the intriguing detail, Drive was unable to carry out its normal functionalities. Upon removing this file, the app started functioning back along the expected lines. So, create a backup of this file and then delete it from your desktop and see if this fixes the issue.
Fix 10: Disconnect and Reconnect the Google Account
When you log-in to your Google account onto the Drive for desktop app, you will be asked for certain permissions. If you mistakenly have not granted a few permissions, there would be complications with the work as intended. In that case, you would require disconnecting and reconnecting the account with your Gmail and check if this resumes the work:
- Go to the Google Drive app’s preferences and click on it,
- In a new window appears, click on Settings icon,
- Click Disconnect account and confirm the account removal,
- Click on the Google Drive icon again and sign-in to your account,
- Once the log-in is success, you will receive a confirmation message,
- Confirm the login is success by clicking on the drive icon on the menu bar.
Fix 11: Reinstall Google Drive
If none of the above methods manage to fix the Google Drive not syncing windows 11 issue for you, then you should consider deleting the app as the last resort and then reinstalling the latest build. Here is how:
- Press Win+ I to open Settings,
- Select Apps from the left and go to the Apps and Features,
- Scroll to Google Drive and select Uninstall,
- Finally, click Uninstall in the confirmation dialog box and wait for the process to complete.
- Download the latest build of the Google Drive app the then,
- And launch the setup and proceed with the on-screen instructions to install it,
- Once installed, open it and check if the underlying issue have been rectified.
Conclusion
So with this, we round off our article how to fix Google Drive not syncing on Windows 11 issue. We have listed different fixes for the same. If these methods do not work, check system for corrupted files for their replacement using PC Repair Tool. Here is its direct download link.
The tool will scan the repository and provides the automatic fix. This method works in most of the cases where the issue is a result of system corruption. It will also works for system optimization and hence you would see increase system performance.
