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Google Drive Stuck Uploading Files? Here’s the Fix

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Writer, Android

Saurav loves writing and tech. So, after engineering, he didn't look back and embarked on a journey to become a tech writer. Saurav has worked for various tech websites across the globe.

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What if you’re trying to upload files to Google Drive, only to have Google Drive upload stuck?

It can be frustrating as it prevents you from uploading and organizing your files. Thus, it slows down your productivity. But we are here to help!

In this guide, we will walk you through multiple solutions that will help you fix your Google Drive uploading problem. With that said, let’s jump right into it.

Why Is Google Drive Stuck While Uploading Files?

Over the years, Google Drive has become the prime cloud storage service for Android users. It’s available for free to all users with a Google account and it’s easy to use.

But this all-star cloud service also faced its fair share of problems during its tenure. The most prominent one is when Google Drive is stuck while uploading files. It’ll keep on showing the “Waiting to Upload” message.

In all fairness, Google Drive can get stuck while uploading files due to a wide array of issues. The most common ones include a slow internet connection, very large file size, app cache issues, browser problems, server maintenance, and more. 

Now, the question is how to fix Google Drive upload stuck?

Well, there are some easy fixes available. Keep reading to find out more about the solutions.

Check this out: How to fix it when your Android screen won’t rotate

6 Ways to Fix Google Drive Upload Stuck

Fixing a Google Drive upload stuck is not a difficult task. There are a wide variety of solutions available. But before you start implementing them, let’s take a step back and figure out if the issue is really from your side.

Google caters to billions of users. Although Google’s server works perfectly most of the time, there still is the possibility of the server being down for sudden maintenance.

It’s a scary thing, but it can happen. The most recent such incident happened a few months back. So, just to be sure check Google Workspace Status Dashboard to check on the server status.

Google workspace status dashboard
Google Workspace Status Dashboard.

If Google Drive is down, there is nothing you can do except wait. If you find a Green Tick beside Google Drive, it means the problem is on your side. The following solutions will help you troubleshoot the problem.

  1. Check Google Drive Storage
  2. Restart Your Android Device
  3. Force Quit Google Drive App
  4. Clear Google Drive Cache
  5. Turn Off Wi-Fi and Upload Over Mobile Data
  6. Update/Uninstall & Install the App

1. Check Google Drive Storage

Google Drive has limited storage, especially if you haven’t paid for expanding it. So, you should start by checking how much space you have left on your Google Drive.

Full Google Drive storage
A Google Drive storage that is almost full. Screenshot: Saurav Dey/Gotechtor

If you are out of space, it can get stuck while uploading files. You can delete a few files to free up space or just purchase more storage from Google.

2. Restart Your Android Device

Let’s start with something simple! It’s really troubling if you’re unable to upload files to Google Drive. But sometimes the most effective solutions can be the simple ones. Reboot your Android mobile. It can do wonders.

3. Force Stop Google Drive App

If restarting the Android mobile failed to produce the expected result, force stop the application and then launch it again.

1. Navigate to the Settings of your Android smartphone.  

2. Tap on Apps & Notification or Apps. This varies depending on the smartphone you are using.

3. Under this option, select Drive and tap on Force Stop.  

Force stop Google Drive
Force stop Google Drive. Screenshot: Saurav Dey/Gotechtor

Google Drive will stop functioning immediately. After that, reboot your device and launch the app again. Now, try uploading the files again.

4. Clear Google Drive Cache

Usually when an application starts going haywire, clearing the cache files from your Android mobile is a great method for fixing the app’s performance. But things are a bit different with the Google Drive app.    

Google Drive comes with a built-in cache manager that is separate from Android’s cache. So, when it comes to fixing Google Drive’s performance, you have to clear both caches.

Clear Cache from App Settings

1. Run the Google Drive app on your Android mobile and tap on the menu button (it’s the three-bar icon) at the top-left of the screen. 

2. Select Settings from the listed options. 

3. Clear Cache option will be available under Settings. Tap on it to clear Google Drive cache files.

Remove all cache documents from Google Drive
Remove all cached documents from Google Drive. Screenshot: Saurav Dey/Gotechtor

Now, restart your Android mobile.

Next, you’re going to clear the Google Drive cache from your device Settings.

1. Launch your Android mobile’s Settings app.

2. Navigate to Apps & Notification or Apps, depending on your smartphone.

3. Under the Apps section, tap on Drive.

4. Then, tap Storage & cache and select the Clear Cache option.

Clear Google Drive cache
Clear Google Drive cache. Screenshot: Saurav Dey/Gotechtor

All the cache files have been removed from your mobile. Now, reboot it.

Keep in mind that this method varies depending on the brand of smartphone you’re using.

5. Turn Off Wi-Fi and Upload over Mobile Data

Most of the time we refrain from using Mobile Data and connect to the internet via Wi-Fi and the option to transfer files over Wi-Fi is enabled in the settings of Google Drive by default.

If this feature is enabled, you won’t be able to upload files using Mobile Data. So, go ahead and disable it and try uploading the files over Mobile Data.  

1. Navigate to the Settings of Google Drive by tapping on the menu button at the top-left corner of the panel.  

2. You will come across a list of options, scroll down, and locate Data Usage.

3. Under Data Usage, you will see Transfer Files Only Over Wi-Fi. There will be a switch beside this option, turn it off.

Google Drive data usage
Google Drive data usage. Screenshot: Saurav Dey/Gotechtor

Now, try to upload the files again while your Wi-Fi is turned off. Files will start to upload if everything’s alright.

6. Update/Uninstall & Install the App

If you’re using an old version of Google Drive, you can have issues while uploading files.

Google releases updates frequently that improve the app’s performance and fix bugs. If you’re not using the latest version, update the Google Drive app.

On the other hand, you can choose to Uninstall the app completely and then install the updated version from the Google Play Store.  

Wrapping It Up

If your Android phone is not out of storage and you have problems uploading files to Google Drive, then Google’s servers are the culprit.

In any case, if the server is not down or under maintenance, the solutions in this guide should help you troubleshoot your Google Drive uploading problem.

For questions or concerns, please use the comment section below.

Writer, Android

Saurav loves writing and tech. So, after engineering, he didn't look back and embarked on a journey to become a tech writer. Saurav has worked for various tech websites across the globe.

Saurav Dey

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2 thoughts on “Google Drive Stuck Uploading Files? Here’s the Fix”

  1. THANK YOU!!!
    I had several frustrating moments with my phone in the last months.
    #4 worked. I could truly upload a file!!! 😀
    Thanks!

    Reply

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