Fix: Google Drive keeps going offline on Android

Google Drive is the default Android cloud drive and probably the most used one by Android users around the world. It’s usually quite a reliable solution for both regular and paying users but it does have occasional issues from time to time. Recently, users reported that Google Drive keeps going offline even when they are connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Table of contents:

1. Disable Offline files
2. Check the connection
3. Clear cache and data from Google Drive
4. Reinstall Google Drive and check the permissions
5. Install an older version of Google Drive via APK
6. Sign out and then sign in with your Google Account

Why does my Google Drive keep going offline?

There are multiple reasons why Google Drive might keep going offline even if you want to access online content. A failing network connection and a temporary bug in the current version are just some of them.

If you are affected by this problem, make sure to check the steps we provided below.

Solution 1 – Disable Offline files

The first thing to do if you repetitively get this problem is to disable certain files that you made available offline. It seems that there’s a glitch that prevents online access for files that are made available offline.

Once you’ve disabled offline files, make sure that you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and try accessing them again.

Solution 2 – Check the connection

This goes without saying but Google Drive requires a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data network in order to access files. Now, most of the time the problem is not in the connection but we must, for the sake of troubleshooting, add it to the list.

Here are some things you should check:

• Reboot your router and phone/tablet.
• If you are using Mobile Data, open Google Drive > hamburger menu > Settings and disable the “Transfer files only over Wi-Fi” option.
• Disable and re-enable Wi-Fi.

Solution 3 – Clear cache and data from Google Drive

The next step is rather obvious, as well. Cached data can and will occasionally cause issues with Android apps. Cached data is locally stored and used to speed up loading when accessing apps. However, if it gets corrupt, it might lead to issues.

Follow these instructions to clear cache and data from the Google Drive app for Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Apps (Application Manager or Manage apps).
3. Open Google Drive from the apps list.
4. Open Storage.
5. Clear Cache first and then Data.
6. Reboot your device.

READ MORE: Google Photos vs Google Drive: Where should you store your photos

Solution 4 – Reinstall Google Drive and check the permission

In case previous steps were in vain, we recommend reinstalling the app and then checking permissions. If Google Drive comes as a system app, you won’t be able to uninstall it. However, you can uninstall all updates, reboot your device, and wait for it to update.

Follow these steps to reinstall (or reset) Google Drive on Android:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Search for Drive.
3. Uninstall the Google Drive app.
4. Install the app again and reboot your device.

Additionally, you should probably check the permissions after reinstalling the app. Make sure to grant every permission under Settings > Apps > All apps > Google Drive > Permissions.

Solution 5 – Install an older version of Google Drive via APK

Now, it’s not unusual for Google to release an unfinished app and that might, of course, lead to a variety of issues. In their defense, most major changes are added via server-side updates and in batches. That way, they can protect the majority of users.

Nonetheless, if the current version of Google Drive is not working for you no matter what you try, you can sideload an older version via an APK and fix it that way.

Follow these instructions to sideload an older version of Google Drive on your Android device:

1. Uninstall Google Drive from your device as previously explained.
2. Navigate to this APK Mirror page where all Google Drive versions are presented.
3. Download an older APK (not older than 2 months preferably) and grant permission to install from third-party sources when prompted.

Solution 6 – Sign out and then sign in with your Google Account

Also, some users who tend to use multiple Google Accounts on their Android devices reported that signing out and signing back again into the Google Account resolved the error completely. After that Google Drive stopped going offline.

Follow these instructions to sign out and sign back into your main Google Account:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Accounts.
3. Select Google.
4. Tap More and remove the Google account.
5. Reboot your device and sign in again.

Solution 7 – Try Drive on the web

Finally, this might be a global issue that’s temporarily preventing all users from accessing their cloud-based files. You can try and access your files from the web-based client on your device, by checking the Desktop box before searching for Google Drive.

You can check if Google Drive is down on Down Detector. And, with that, we can call it a wrap. In case you have any questions or suggestions, make sure to share them with us in the comments section below.