Google Drive Large File Download Failed: Network Error/Forbidden

This article describes the reasons for Google Drive's large file download failure problem and how to solve the issue in 7 effective ways.

Google Drive generally allows users to download files, whether they are small files or large files, without any issues. However, some people encounter difficulties downloading large files from Google Drive, receiving alert messages such as "Failed - Network error" or "Failed - Forbidden". 

This article will explain the reasons why Google Drive's large file download failed and how to solve the problem in different ways. You can attempt these solutions even though Google Drive didn't provide any error feedback and you were unable to download large files from it. Please keep reading.

Why Did Google Drive Downloading Large Files Fail

Some potential causes of Google Drive large file download failure include:

• Network issues: Since Google Drive requires a network to download files, a slow or unstable internet connection can lead to problems when trying to download files, especially large files that take a longer time to download.
• Security software interference: This is the most possible reason for Google Drive's large file download failed forbidden. Your firewall software or antivirus software might detect unsafe content in the files to be downloaded from Google Drive and restrict Google Drive from downloading it.
• A browser or Google Drive app glitch: The problem might be specific to the browser you are using or the Google Drive app installed on your desktop, iPhone, or Android. 
• Temporary service interruption: Google Drive may experience temporary service interruptions or maintenance that could affect downloads. You can try to download the large files later to see if the issue still persists.

To avoid Google Drive data loss, you can backup Google Drive to an external hard drive first. Check this post:

7 Ways to Fix Google Drive Large File Download Failed

It is frustrating when an important large file needs to be downloaded from Google Drive but is blocked or failed due to errors. The following content will provide effective methods and simple steps to fix the "Google Drive large file download failed" issue.

1. Fix 1. Check Internet connection
2. Fix 2. Create an empty TXT file
3. Fix 3. Use a private browsing window
4. Fix 4. Clear browser cache and data
5. Fix 5. Use another browser
6. Fix 6. Disable external firewall or antivirus software temporarily
7. Fix 7. Contact the Google support team

🔑Fix 1. Check Internet connection

If you are attempting to download large files from Google Drive while connected to Wi-Fi, try the following troubleshooting methods:

Step 1. Restart the Wi-Fi router by turning it off, waiting for a few seconds, and turning it on.

Step 2. Change to another Wi-Fi network if available.

Step 3. Get your device closer to the Wi-Fi router to have a stronger signal.

Step 4. Stop other online activities that consume a large amount of bandwidth, such as gaming and live streaming.

🔑Fix 2. Create an empty TXT file

This solution was discovered by a Reddit user. The Redditor suggested you upload an empty TXT file to your Google Drive and then download the large file along with it. This would force Google Drive to archive both files together. If it can't put the two files in a zipped file, it has to download both files separately.

Step 1. Right-click on the large file you want to download and select Make a copy if you are not the owner of the file or folder.

Step 2. Create a blank .txt file and upload the file to the same folder that contains the copy you just made or the large file.

Step 3. Use Command + click on Mac or Ctrl + click on PC to select the .txt file and the (copy of) large file.

Step 4. Right-click on the selected files and choose Download.

🔑Fix 3. Use a private browsing window

Almost all browsers offer a feature that enables users to browse the web in a private and anonymous mode. It is called Incognito Mode on Chrome and Private Browsing on other web browsers. You can use this feature to see if you can successfully download large files from Google Drive. Use Google Chrome as an example.

Step 1. Open your Google Chrome browser.

Step 2. Click the three dots next to your profile image and choose the New Incognito window.

Step 3. Log into your Google Drive and locate the large file you failed to download.

Step 4. Right-click it and select Download to save it to your device once again.

🔑Fix 4. Clear browser cache and data

Too much cache and data accumulated might cause conflicts in file downloading from Google Drive. It is advisable to perform a complete cleanup from your browser. The following steps describe how to clear Chrome cache and data.

Step 1. Click the three dots next to your profile image.

Step 2.  Select More Tools > Privacy and Settings > Clear browsing data.

Step 3. Select Any time in the Time range and check the boxes in front of Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.

Step 4. Click Clear data.

After removing all Chrome browser cache and data, you can sign into your Google Drive and start to download the large file.

🔑Fix 5. Use another browser

If the Google Drive large file download failed network error keeps showing up, and the above solutions are of no help, you can change to another browser to download files. Some of the most popular internet browsers include:

1. 1. Google Chrome
2. 2. Microsoft Edge
3. 3. Safari
4. 4. Firefox
5. 5. DuckDuckGo
6. 6. Brave

🔑Fix 6. Disable external firewall or antivirus software temporarily

Third-party software, especially antivirus and firewall software, can block Google Drive from downloading a large file. To solve the "Google Drive large file download failed" issue, you can try disabling the security software to see if it works. 

If it doesn't work, you can re-enable the security software to protect your system.

🔑Fix 7. Contact the Google support team

The last option is to contact Google Drive support if none of the aforementioned methods can fix the Google Drive large file download failed issue. You can ask a question in the Google Drive Help Community and then wait for an expert to respond. Alternatively, you can go to Google Drive Help Center, describe your problem, and select whether to speak with a customer support agent via chat or email.

Pro Tip: Download Large Videos with Third-Party Software

Most large files are videos. If you are finding an alternative download software for videos and images on your computer, I recommend you give EaseUS Video Downloader a try. This downloading tool helps you download videos from YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, etc. You can also download videos from YouTube to google drive with the software. Of course, videos from other streaming sites are also possible. 

🪄Main features of EaseUS Video Downloader include the following:

• Convert YouTube to MP3 with high quality
• Download videos up to HD/4K video quality
• Best thumbnail downloader and playlist downloader
• The overall requirements of 3DS
• Convert a batch of videos together

Conclusion

Google doesn't specify a file size limit for users to download files from Google Drive, so theoretically, you can download large files without issues as long as your local drive has enough storage space. If you encounter the Google Drive large file download failed issue, verify your internet connection first and then try other techniques mentioned in this article to solve it. 

If you need to download large videos, try EaseUS Video Downloader to have videos downloaded with high quality and high speed. I hope we have solved your problem in this passage.🤟

FAQs on Google Drive Large File Download Failed

These FAQs provide more valuable information about Google Drive's large file download failed issue. Check them out.

1. How to download large files from Google Drive without failure?

Make sure your internet network is stable and fast, and you have permission to download large files from Google Drive.

2. What happens if a file is too big for Google Drive?

There is no maximum file size for Google Drive uploads or downloads. It typically takes longer to upload files to Google Drive and download files from Google Drive if the files are large. However, the likelihood that a data transmission would fail increases with the file size.

3. How do I download a large zip file from Google Drive?

All you need to do is to sign into your Google Drive, right-click on the large zip file, and choose Download. The large zip file will shortly begin downloading to your device.