How to Fix Google Drive Backup and Sync Not Working Issue?

Backup and Sync, Google Drive’s local sync client, normally has no trouble backing up or synchronising files and folders on PCs and Macs. However, it can occasionally slow to a halt. Some of the reasons for this include bugs and glitches, connectivity issues, and incorrectly setup settings.

If Google Drive Backup and Sync isn’t working properly on your computer, follow the steps below to fix it. They should assist you in dealing with sluggish or stuck uploads and downloads, as well as any other issues you may encounter while using the cloud storage service.

Check the Status of the Server

If Backup and Sync were working perfectly just a few moments ago, double-check that nothing is wrong with Google Drive on the server side.

Go to the Google Workspace Status Dashboard to get started. Then, next to Google Drive, look at the status indication. You’re looking at a service disruption or outage if it’s orange or red (rather than green). In such situation, you’ll have to wait until Google resolves the problem.

Clients are paused and resumed

Is it taking too long for Google Drive’s Backup and Sync client to upload or download files and folders? Is it stuck, or does it look to be stuck? Try pausing and restarting the game. That should get things working normally in most circumstances.

1. From the system tray (PC) or the menu bar, choose Backup and Sync (Mac). Then, to access the Settings menu, select the three-dots.
2. Press the Pause button.
3. Hold your breath for a few moments. Then go back to the Settings menu and choose Resume.

Restart the backup and sync process.

Another way to tackle delayed or stuck uploads and downloads is to quit and relaunch Backup and Sync.

1. Choose Backup and Sync from the drop-down menu.
2. Select Pause from the Settings menu. Then choose Quit Backup and Sync from the drop-down menu.
3. Open Google Backup and Sync again from the Start menu (PC) or the Launchpad (Mac).

Router Restart

Are you experiencing slow internet speeds on your PC or Mac? To be sure, visit a few websites, watch a few videos, or take a speed test. Try rebooting your router if things are slow. After that, you can restart the Backup and Sync client by pausing and resuming it.

Restart the computer

Have you recently rebooted your PC or Mac? A computer that has been running for an extended period of time can develop a variety of problems. If Google Drive Backup and Sync is still not working, try doing it now.

Examine the Folder Preferences

If Backup and Sync fails to back up or sync a certain folder on your computer or in Google Drive, double-check that your settings are correct.

1. Go to Backup and Sync’s Settings menu.
2. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
3. Switch between the My Computer and Google Drive tabs and double-check that the folders you wish to back up and sync are selected.
4. To save any changes, select OK.

Log out and then log back in

A slow or frozen Backup and Sync client can also be fixed by logging out and back in to your Google Account. Any locally synchronised files will not be lost.

1. Go to Backup and Sync’s Settings menu. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
2. To log out of the sync client, go to the Settings tab and click Disconnect Account.
3. Restart your computer or Mac.
4. Sign back in with your Google Account and select the files and folders you wish to back up and sync.
5. If any prompts ask you to merge your files, select Continue. This should save you from having to re-sync your files.

Examine the Bandwidth Settings

Verify that the Google Drive Backup and Sync client isn’t slowed down by a slow download or upload speed.

1. Go to the Backup and Sync Preferences window and click on it.
2. Go to the Settings tab and select Network Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. Under both Download Rate and Upload Rate, make sure that Don’t limit is chosen.

Change DNS Servers

Changing the Domain Name System (DNS) settings on your computer to Google DNS can help if Backup and Sync has persistent connectivity issues.

PC

1. Change DNS Select Settings from the Start menu.
2. Select Network & Internet from the drop-down menu.
3. Select your Wi-Fi connection under the Wi-Fi menu.
4. Select Edit from the IP settings section.
5. Go to Manual and turn on IPv4.
6. Fill in the Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS columns with the following information: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
7. Click the Save button.

Changing the DNS on a Mac

1. Select Wi-Fi in the Mac’s Control Center, then Network Preferences.
2. Select Advanced from the Wi-Fi side-tab.
3. Go to the DNS tab and enter the following DNS servers in lieu of the present ones: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
4. Click OK.

Exceptions in the Firewall

Make a firewall exemption for Google Drive’s Backup and Sync client. This should prevent your PC or Mac’s firewall from interfering with it.

PC

1. Add to Firewall Select Open from the Start menu after typing windows security.
2. Select Firewall and network protection from the drop-down menu.
3. Choose Allow an app to pass across the firewall.
4. Go to Change settings and then to Allow another app.
5. Go to Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > Google > Drive and select Browse. Then, choose the googledrivesync file and choose Open.
6. Select Network types, then check the box next to Private before clicking OK.
7. Click the Add button.

Mac

1. Add to Firewall Select System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Select Security & Privacy from the drop-down menu.
3. Select Firewall Options from the Firewall tab, then click the lock to make adjustments.
4. Select Google Backup and Sync and then Add.

Backup and Sync Configuration should be deleted.

If none of the above solutions worked, consider removing the Backup and Sync profile’s configuration files. That should take care of any corrupt settings that were causing problems. Before you begin, turn off Backup and Sync.

Windows

1. Delete Configuration Files To open the Run box, press Windows+R.
2. Copy and paste the following path:
3. %USERPROFILE %AppDataLocalGoogleDrive %USERPROFILE %USERPROFILE %USERPROFILE %USERPROFILE
4. Click OK.
5. In the File Explorer window that appears, delete the user default folder.

Mac:

Delete Configuration Files

1. Press Command+Shift+G to open Finder.
2. Copy and paste the following path into your browser: /Library/Application Support/Google/Drive/ /Library/Application Support/Google/Drive/ /Library/Application
3. Press the Enter key.
4. In the Finder window that appears, drag the user default folder to the Trash.

Backup and Sync should be reinstalled

Do you still have problems with backup and synchronization? It’s time to reinstall it from the beginning. Any locally synced files will not be deleted, so you can merge them after reinstalling the client. Before you begin, close the Backup and Sync client.

Backup & Sync must be uninstalled

Windows

1. Select Apps and Features from the Start menu by right-clicking it.
2. Go to Google and select Backup and Sync.
3. To remove it from your computer, select Uninstall.

Backup & Sync must be uninstalled

Mac

1. Select Applications in the Finder.
2. Locate and right-click Google Backup and Sync.
3. Select Move to Trash from the drop-down menu.

After uninstalling Backup and Sync from your PC or Mac, re-download and install the Backup and Sync client. Then, using your Google Account, log in and set it up.

Issues with Google Backup and Sync have been resolved.

There are a number of other reasons why Google Backup and Sync can cease operating. It can be thrown off by a Windows upgrade. It could also be due to a lack of cloud storage on Google Drive. To avoid having to manually upload and download from Google Drive, use the troubleshooting procedures listed above.