"Disappearing" Google Drive Files and Folders
Some users are reporting that at random times they open Google Drive in Chrome browser and find that all or some of the files and folders have disappeared. When they open their G: drive in Windows, the files and folders are show properly.
This is an ongoing issue that does not seem to have a permanent solution. You can help us by reporting your experiences. If you are experiencing these disappearing files/folders, here are some things for you to try:
Low-impact Solutions
Refresh Webpage
Press Ctrl + F5 (or Ctrl + R in Windows) keys to fully refresh the web page that is displaying Google Drive. By using the Ctrl key with a refresh, you are asking the browser to go to the webpage server and download all data again rather than loading some data from the local Cache.
Hide and Unhide a shared drive
By hiding and unhiding a shared drive, they seem to reset the Drive app and correct this issue of disappearing folders and files.
- In the Drive app in your browser, on the left side, click Shared drives.
- Right-click the shared drive that contains the disappearing files/folder and select Hide shared drive.
- At the top right, click Hidden shared drives.
- Right-click the shared drive that you want to want to see again and select Unhide shared drive.
Refresh Folder - Windows Explorer Only Solution
- Open Windows Explorer
- Locate the G: Drive and find the parent folder that contains the files/folders that are disappearing
- Press Shift + Right Click with the mouse on the folder. In the menu that appears click on the "Refresh folder" command.
- Test to see that the folder is appearing correctly.
More Invasive Solution
Try this solution ONLY if the above low-impact solutions are not working for you
Clear Browsing Data
Warning: This will delete all your browser cookies so you will need to log in to some websites again after the Cookies are deleted. This will NOT delete any Google files or folders.
Open the Settings page for Chrome browser by clicking on the 3 dots in the upper right side of the browser window and chose Settings toward the bottom of the menu.
On the Settings page, click on Privacy and security on the left side and then Clear browsing data on the right-hand side.
In the Clear browsing data page choose:
-
Basic tab
- Time Rage should be All time
- Only place a check the box for Cookies and other site data.
- Click on Clear data.
