If you're experiencing issues with Google Drive files not showing up in your account, don't worry, it's a common problem.
First, check if your internet connection is stable, as a slow or unstable connection can prevent files from syncing properly. Ensure your device is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network.
Try refreshing your Google Drive page or restarting your browser to see if that resolves the issue. If not, move on to the next step.
Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can also help resolve the problem. This is because corrupted cache files can interfere with file syncing.
Troubleshooting
If you're experiencing issues with Google Drive files not showing up, it's possible that the sync process was interrupted. Stopping the sync before it finishes or experiencing internet disconnection during the sync can give you a false sense that files are missing.
Check your error list to verify if the missing files are actually listed as failed uploads. To do this, click on the Settings icon and choose Error list.
Syncing the files again will resolve the issue, so go ahead and sync those files to your Google Drive once more.
Check Error List
Sometimes, things don't go as planned and we need to troubleshoot the issue. If you're experiencing problems with Google Drive, checking the error list can be a lifesaver.
Click on the Settings icon and choose Error list. This will display a list of files that failed to be uploaded.
You may have stopped the sync before it finished, or there was an internet disconnection during the sync, which can give you a false sense that there are files missing from Google Drive.
Check the files that failed to be uploaded from the list and verify if they are the missing files. This will help you identify the issue and take corrective action.
If you find that the files are indeed missing, you can sync them again to your Google Drive.
Check Your Activity
If you've set up Google Drive correctly, but still find some files are missing, the first place to look for them is the Activity Panel. This feature tracks all your operations on Google Drive, including editing, adding, deleting, and sharing.
To access your Activity Panel, go to drive.google.com, click on My Drive, and tap on the Info icon at the top-right corner. Choose Activity and scroll down to see if your lost files are present.
Your detailed operations on Google Drive are recorded on Activity Panel, so it's a good idea to check here first.
Upload/Sync Issues
One of the main advantages of using Google Drive is that it syncs your files across all your devices, but if that breaks, it's a big problem.
Google Drive files not showing up can be frustrating, but it's often not a Google Drive issue. You might have simply relocated the files to other folders by mistake.
Using an outdated Google Drive application or Chrome browser can also cause this problem. Too much cache accumulation in the application or browser may also be the culprit.
Here are some potential reasons why your Google Drive files might not be showing up:
- Outdated Google Drive application
- Too much cache accumulation in the application or browser
Another possible reason is that there's something wrong with your Google Chrome. You can fix your browser or change to a different one to log in to your Google Drive account.
Finding Missing Files
First, check the Google Drive trash folder, accessible via Trash on the left-hand navigation. If you see the file that you're looking for, right-click it and select Restore.
The owner of the shared file may be able to retrieve it from their deleted files. Alternatively, if you have a Google Drive account through a school or workplace, an administrator can see all deleted files for 30 days after they have been deleted and may be able to assist you.
You can also try searching for your file using keywords or dates and see if it's in another location than the one you anticipated. Google Drive has advanced search features that can help you find missing files.
To find orphaned files, enter the Google Drive page and type: is:unorganized owner:me into the search bar. If finding the missing file, move it to a folder as you like.
Here are some possible reasons why your files may not be showing up in Google Drive:
- You may have shared a folder with someone and they removed your file.
- You created a file in someone else’s folder and they deleted the entire folder.
- You may have stopped the sync before the uploading finishes, or there was internet disconnection during the sync.
To check the error list and verify the files that failed to be uploaded, click on the Settings icon and choose Error list. Check the files that failed to be uploaded from the list and verify if they are the missing files. Sync the files to your Google Drive again.
10 Common Issues and Solutions
If you're experiencing issues with Google Drive files not showing up, one possible solution is to check if you're using the free account, as it has a maximum storage capacity of 15GB. If you exceed this limit, files won't be uploaded and can go missing.
One of the main advantages of using Google Drive is that it syncs your files across all your devices, but if this breaks, it's a big problem. This can happen if you're using a free account and your files exceed the maximum storage capacity.
Files disappearing from Google Drive can be due to various factors, but one possible reason is that you're trying to upload or sync files that exceed the maximum storage capacity of 15GB.
Disappearing Files
You may have inadvertently logged into a different account, which can cause your files to disappear from Google Drive.
Logging into the wrong account can be frustrating, especially if you've been working on important files.
You can check your account settings to ensure you're logged into the correct account.
If you're still having trouble, try checking your account history to see if you've switched accounts recently.
Common reasons for disappearing files include configuring the sync and backup settings incorrectly.
This can cause files to become lost or inaccessible.
To avoid this, make sure to double-check your settings before syncing your files.
Deleting the Google Drive app data by mistake can also cause files to disappear.
This can happen on Windows or macOS, depending on your operating system.
You can check the following locations for deleted app data:
- Windows: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\DriveFS
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/DriveFS
Google Drive app bugs or glitches can also cause files to disappear.
This can be a frustrating issue, especially if you're relying on Google Drive for important files.
If you're experiencing this issue, try updating your Google Drive app to the latest version.
By following these tips, you can help prevent files from disappearing from Google Drive.
File Management
If you're having trouble finding a Google Drive file, check your trash folder first, as files are temporarily stored there after deletion.
Files can be recovered from the trash by right-clicking and selecting Restore. This will bring the file back to its original location.
If the file isn't in the trash, try searching for it using keywords or dates, as Google Drive has advanced search features.
Multiple collaborators working on a file can be a common issue, especially when the owner deletes it for everyone. This is because shared files are removed if the owner deletes them.
Accessing Shared Files
Accessing Shared Files can be a hassle if you're not set up correctly.
To view or edit a shared Google Drive file, you need to be granted permission by the file's owner.
If you don't have access to a file, click the Request access button to prompt the owner to change the sharing settings.
Double-check that the file owner has set the sharing parameters correctly to avoid any issues.
Backup in Advance
It's essential to back up your important files on Google Drive in advance to avoid real data loss. You can use a cloud backup tool like CBackup to transfer your files to other cloud drives.
CBackup supports popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. It allows you to connect to your cloud drive and transfer data without storing it on CBackup's servers.
To get started, sign up for a CBackup account and add your cloud drive account by clicking "Add Cloud" under the "My Storage" tab.
You can then create a backup task by clicking "New Task" under the "Backup Tasks" tab. Name your task, add Google Drive as the backup source, and select another cloud disk as the backup destination.
Before starting the backup, you can customize the task by clicking "Settings" and "Schedule". This way, you can ensure that your files are backed up regularly.
If you've already added a Google Drive account, you can create a sync task by selecting "Sync" and "Sync PC to Public Cloud".
Here's a quick summary of the steps:
By following these steps, you can ensure that your important files are backed up and safe in case of a Google Drive error or data loss.
Requesting Help
If none of the previous methods work for you, it's time to request help from Google Drive Support. You can do this by submitting a request to their team, which is a good option as a last resort.
If you're the owner of the missing files, you can submit a request for file recovery through the Google Drive Help page. This method works only for personal accounts.
To submit a request, go to the Google Drive Help page, sign in with your account, and look for the "Request file recovery" button. You'll need to fill in all the required information and tick the Content agreement before clicking Submit.
You'll receive a feedback in around 12-48 hours, so be patient and keep an eye on your email. If your missing files have been returned, you'll be able to access them again in Google Drive.
Here are the steps to submit a request to Google Drive Support:
- Enter Google Drive Help page, sign in with your account.
- Go down to choose "Request file recovery" button.
- Fill in all the required information and tick the Content agreement, click Submit to send your request.
- You’ll receive a feedback in around 12-48 hours. Lastly check if the missing files in Google Drive have been returned.
Sources
- https://www.cbackup.com/articles/uploaded-files-not-showing-google-drive.html
- https://www.cisdem.com/resource/google-drive-files-missing.html
- https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/solve-common-google-drive-problems-simple-solutions/
- https://iboysoft.com/tips/google-drive-not-working-mac.html
- https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/google-drive-files-not-showing-up.html
Featured Images: pexels.com