6 Fixes for Slow Upload and Download Speeds on Google Drive

Quick Tips

• Clear your browser cache and cookies to remove temporary data that might slow things down.
• Enable hardware acceleration in your browser settings to leverage your computer’s processing power for faster transfers.
• Uploading or downloading multiple files at once can bottleneck your connection. Focus on one large file or a smaller batch for optimal speed.

Preliminary Fixes

• Check your internet speed: Since Google Drive relies on your internet connection, a change in your internet speed will directly impact the upload and download speeds. So, check whether you’re getting the usual network speeds.
• Ensure you’re not using a metered connection: A metered connection essentially indicates that the available bandwidth is limited. Hence, your computer would try to limit internet usage to preserve more data.
• Compress the file to reduce size: Consider compressing large files before uploading them to Google Drive. This can significantly reduce upload times.
• Try a different browser: At times, a web browser may act slowly. Try performing the same upload or download via a different web browser.
• Keep the Google Drive app open during upload and download (iPhone and iPad): When uploading a file onto Google Drive, keep the app open during the transfer. Failing to do so would hamper the upload, and you will have to restart.

Fix 1: Clear Your Browser Cookies and Cache

On Web

Clearing the cookies and cache on your browser can, at times, boost the upload and download speeds.

While the steps are similar for most web browsers, for step-by-step instructions, see how to clear cookies and cache in Chrome.

On Mobile

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Android phone and scroll to the Apps section.

Step 2: Find the Google Drive app and tap on it.

Step 3: Select Storage > tap on Clear cache at the bottom.

Also Read: How to turn off Windows Hello for Google Chrome passwords

Fix 2: Enable Hardware Acceleration (Web)

Enabling hardware acceleration allows Chrome to use your computer’s various hardware components more effectively to optimize performance. Here’s how to enable it.

Step 1: Open Chrome on your computer and click on the three dots at the top-right corner.

Step 2: Select Settings.

Step 3: Click on System in the left panel.

Step 4: Enable the toggle for Use hardware acceleration when available.

Fix 3: Disable Upload and Download Limits (Google Drive Desktop)

By removing the upload and download limits on the Google Drive desktop app, you allow unrestricted data transfer speeds. Follow the below steps.

Step 1: Launch the Google Drive app on your Windows or Mac computer. Then, click on the gear icon to open the Settings menu.

Step 2: Select Preferences > go to the Settings tab.

Step 3: Uncheck Download rate and Upload rate.

Step 4: Finally, click Done.

If the changes don’t take effect immediately, restart the Google Drive desktop app.

Fix 4: Disable Low Power Mode (iPhone and iPad)

The Low Power mode on iOS reduces your iPhone’s battery usage by turning off background sync and limiting internet usage. This might hamper any file upload or download on your iPhone. So, disable Low Power Mode and then try.

Step 1: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone > select Battery.

Step 2: Toggle off the Low Power Mode option right at the top of the screen.

Also Read: How to fix Google Chrome not working with VPN

Fix 5: Disable Low Data Mode (iPhone and iPad)

While using a metered network connection or a mobile hotspot, your iPhone will automatically enable Low Data Mode. This mode prevents apps from using a lot of bandwidth, thus preventing large files from being uploaded or downloaded. Here’s how to turn it off.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone > tap on Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Select the small blue circle with the i icon next to the network the iPhone is connected to. And turn off the toggle for Low Data Mode.

Fix 6: Try Using Google Drive on Your Browser

There’s a chance the version of the Google Drive app on your Android, iPhone, and iPad is glitchy. If uploading or downloading via the Drive app is too slow, try doing it via Drive on your web browser. You can also try updating the Drive app to see if it helps.