Google Drive isn't Syncing All Files - What to Do?

Google Drive is a handy syncing tool that lets you access your files and folders across multiple devices. To do so, you first need to sync your files with this cloud storage service to have them available at all times. However, sometimes Google Drive might not sync all the files. Wondering how to fix the "Google Drive not syncing all files" issue? If that's what brings you here, you're in the right place. The guide covers 12 solutions in detail and introduces a best file sync software for Windows 10. Keep reading.

How to Fix Google Drive Not Syncing All Files

While Google Drive is an efficient file sync tool, it may fail to sync all your files at times. What would you do then? In this section, we'll discuss 12 fixes, including:

Fix 1: Check your internet connection

When Google Drive fails to sync all your files, the first thing you should check is your internet connection. During the syncing process, your device might lose its connection, preventing the transfer of all files. Make sure your computer has a stable and reliable internet connection.

Once that's done, you can proceed with the sync process and verify if the system has successfully moved all the files. If that doesn't fix the issue, you can proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Fix 2: Pause and Resume Sync Task

Sometimes, pausing and resuming synchronization tasks can help resolve common runtime errors that affect the sync process. You can apply this fix by following these steps:

Step 1. Click the Google Drive icon on your computer.

Step 2. Go to the three-dot menu and select "Pause syncing."

Next up, we just need the translation in American English for the image caption: The caption would be: "Select 'Pause syncing'."

Step 3: After a while, click “Resume Sync” to start syncing again. This might fix the Google Drive sync issue.

Fix 3: Restart Google Sync

Another way to fix the "Google Drive not syncing" issue with all files is by restarting the sync process. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Navigate to the following file path: C:\Program Files\Google\Drive File Stream\86.0.9.0.

<Step 2> Double-click “GoogleDriveFS.” This will restart the Google Drive sync process and automatically upload your <b>files to the cloud</b>.

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Fix 4: Sign out of your Google account

If you haven't used Google Drive in a while, you might be experiencing a sync issue. You can fix this by signing out of your Google account and signing back in. Try disconnecting your account temporarily, then sign back in. This usually resolves any errors that the system is having.

Fix 5: Clear Google Drive Cache and Storage

A buildup of cached files can prevent Google Drive from syncing properly. Clearing these files usually resolves sync errors. Here's how to clear the Google Drive cache on Google Chrome or Android:

Step 1: Open the Google Drive web app in Google Chrome.

Step 2: Click on the padlock-shaped icon in the address bar, and select “Site Settings.”

Step 3: Once the Chrome Settings page loads, navigate to the “Usage” section and choose “Clear Data.” This will clear all the cached and stored data related to Google Drive.

Please follow these steps to clear the cache on your Android phone:

Step 1: Open Google Drive.

Step 2. Click on the three-line icon in the top left corner, and then select “Settings.”

Step 3. Tap “Clear Cache” and select “OK.” This will clear the cache for the Google Drive app.

You can now restart the app to resume syncing.

Fix 6: Upgrade to a larger Google Drive storage plan

If you don't have enough storage space to sync, you can upgrade to a larger Google Drive plan. If you have a lot of files to sync, the free 15 GB of storage might not be enough. To upgrade your storage, do the following:

Step one: Go to your Google Drive account through the website, and click “Backup and Sync.”

Step 2: Click “Get more space” to upgrade to the new plan. Once you have enough space, all your files will sync seamlessly.

Click to get more storage space.

Solution 7: Run Google Drive as an Administrator

Sometimes, running it as an administrator might fix the issue if Google Drive hasn't synced all your files. This helps lift any restrictions that might be preventing the app from syncing all your files. To apply this fix, type “Google Drive” into the search bar and select “Run as administrator.”

After that, try resynchronizing the files in your Google Drive folder that didn't sync previously.

Fix 8: Change proxy settings

If your Google Drive proxy settings are interfering with the sync process, you can try changing them. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Google Drive, click on "Settings", and then click the gear icon. This will open the Settings page.

Fix 9: Rename the Google Drive for Desktop.exe file

If you suspect that the Google Drive .exe file on your desktop is corrupted, try renaming it. This often fixes issues that affect syncing. Do this:

Step 1. Navigate to the following file path:

C:\Program Files\Google\Drive File Stream\86.0.9.0. (This points to the installation path of Google Drive File Stream, where the version number may vary with updates.)

Step 2: Right-click the .exe file and select Rename. Give the file a different name. You can now proceed with the sync.

Fix 10: Delete the Desktop.ini file

If a file fails to sync on your computer, the desktop.ini file records the error. You can't continue syncing until you fix the errors that are recorded in this file. To proceed with syncing, we recommend that you delete the desktop.ini file. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open File Explorer and then open the folder that contains the files that aren't syncing.

<b>Step 2:</b> Click “View” at the top of the screen, and then double-click “Options.”

Step 3: Click the "View" tab. Under "Hidden items," check the box next to "Show hidden files, folders, and drives." Click OK.

Step 4. You can now go back to the folder and look for the desktop.ini file. If it's there, delete it and restart the sync process.

Fix 11: Temporarily disable the firewall and antivirus software

If a firewall or antivirus is enabled, it might block Google Drive from syncing. To fix this, temporarily disable the firewall or antivirus. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Control Panel and choose System and Security.

Step 2: Click “Windows Defender Firewall” > “Turn Windows Firewall on or off”.

Step 3: Next, select “Turn off Windows Firewall,” then click OK. This will temporarily disable the firewall and antivirus. Try syncing your files with Google Drive again.

Fix 12: Uninstall and reinstall Google Drive

If Google Drive isn't syncing all of your files, the last resort is to uninstall and reinstall it. This lets you remove the app from your device and get the latest version online, which should fix any errors that are causing syncing problems. Do the following:

Step 1: Open Settings. Double-click Apps & Features.

Step 2: Find Google Drive in the list of installed apps, and tap on it. Then, select “Uninstall.”

Step 3: The system will uninstall Google Drive from your computer, allowing you to seek out the most recent version of the app online and download it. Once that's done, you can try syncing again.

Best Free File Sync Software for Synchronizing Files on Windows 11/10/8/7

If you still have issues syncing files with Google Drive, it might be time to try a free file sync software. For Windows, one of the best alternatives to Google Drive is the Todo Backup tool. With its user-friendly interface and reliable “Sync” feature, this software allows unlimited syncing of files of various sizes.

You can use the tool Todo Backup to synchronize files to a computer or external hard drive over a network or NAS. During the synchronization process, you can choose the source and target paths for the synced files. You can select individual files/folders to sync. Additionally, you can set preferred frequencies, such as daily, weekly, or monthly.

In addition to file synchronization, this tool allows you to back up and restore files to different locations. It enables you to perform various backup modes, including full backups, incremental or differential backups, and store them in multiple locations.

Key features of Todo Backup include:

Are you ready to start syncing your files with Todo Backup today? Make sure to download the free version of the software on your computer right now. Additionally, the steps to get started with Todo Backup are straightforward.

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Why isn't Google Drive syncing all my files?

The issue "My Google Drive files aren't syncing" can be caused by:

• Insufficient storage: If your Google Drive storage is full, synchronization will be unable to proceed.
• Unstable internet connection: Google Drive requires an internet connection to synchronize files. If the connection is unstable, not all files may sync.
• Antivirus interference: Sometimes, antivirus software installed on your computer can block certain files from syncing to Google Drive.
• Outdated Google Drive version: Using an older version of Google Drive can result in various errors that affect the synchronization process.
• Unsupported file size: If the file you're trying to sync exceeds the size limit, the synchronization might be interrupted.
• Google Drive server issues: Occasionally, Google Drive servers may go down due to maintenance or unexpected errors, impacting normal synchronization.

wrap-up work

"Google Drive doesn't sync all files" – This could be due to unstable internet connections, insufficient storage space, interference from the Windows firewall, or an outdated software version. Some common solutions include checking your internet connection, purchasing more storage, restarting the sync process, and temporarily disabling the firewall and antivirus software.

If you're looking for the best tool to ensure seamless file synchronization, give Todo Backup a try. This free syncing software allows you to synchronize multiple files across different destinations with no size limitations. Synchronization can be scheduled daily, weekly, or monthly. Be sure to download it today for an optimal experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about Google Drive Files Not Syncing

Here are some common issues with Google Drive files not syncing.

Why are some files missing from Google Drive?

Some files might be missing from Google Drive because the sync was interrupted for some reason. This could be due to:

• Inconsistent internet connection.
• Interference from firewalls and antivirus software.
• Lack of storage space, and so on.

Check these issues, and then try to sync your files again.

2. How do I sync Google Drive across multiple devices?

First, sync the files from your main device to your Google Drive account. Then, you can install Google Drive on multiple devices and log in with your Google account to access those files or folders.

Why are my folders missing from Google Drive?

If your folders are missing from Google Drive, it's possible that you accidentally deleted them. Additionally, this could happen if you disconnected Google Drive from your computer. To fix this, try logging out of your Google account and logging back in. Your folders should all be there now.