I’m having trouble accessing my files in Google Drive because of redirect issues. When I try to open or download documents, I keep getting stuck in a redirect loop that prevents me from reaching my content.
This happens in multiple browsers including Chrome and Internet Explorer. The error message mentions too many redirects and suggests clearing cookies or enabling third-party cookies, but these solutions don’t seem to work.
Has anyone encountered similar problems with Google Drive file access? What are some effective ways to resolve this redirect issue and get back to my documents? I need to recover my files but can’t seem to bypass this technical problem.
Any suggestions for troubleshooting steps or alternative methods to access Google Drive content would be really helpful.
This redirect loop usually happens because Google’s session data gets corrupted, not your browser. I’ve seen this with shared corporate drives where permissions keep changing. Here’s what fixed it for me: open Google Drive in incognito first, then clear all Google site data - not just cookies, but local storage and cached files too. Go to your browser’s site settings for accounts.google.com and drive.google.com to do this. Clear everything Google-related, restart your browser completely, then try Drive again. If you’re working with shared files, have the owner re-share them since the permission tokens might be corrupted. This worked when regular cookie clearing didn’t.
sign out of all your google accounts, then log back in with just one. I’ve seen this when multiple accounts are active - google can’t figure out which one to use for drive. also weird tip: check your system clock. google’s finicky about timestamps being wrong.
I faced a similar issue recently, and adjusting my browser’s settings was key. Ensure that your browser is up-to-date and consider resetting it to default settings, as outdated settings might create conflicts. Sometimes, browser extensions can cause problems too, so disabling them could help. If you have a VPN, try disconnecting it temporarily, as certain VPNs can interfere with connections to Google services. Additionally, accessing your files via the Google Drive mobile app can be a reliable workaround until the issue on the web is resolved.
You’re experiencing redirect loops when accessing files in Google Drive, preventing you from opening or downloading documents. This happens across multiple browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer) and persists even after trying standard troubleshooting steps like clearing cookies and enabling third-party cookies. The error message indicates “too many redirects.” You need reliable access to your files.
Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):
The redirect loop isn’t usually a browser problem; it’s often caused by corrupted session data on Google’s side, especially when dealing with shared drives where permissions frequently change. Browser settings might be a symptom rather than the core cause. The browser’s role is merely to execute the redirects sent by Google Drive; the root problem lies in Google Drive’s authentication and permission handling.
Step-by-Step Guide:
This guide focuses on bypassing the browser-related issues entirely by using a programmatic approach, eliminating the reliance on potentially faulty browser session data or Google Drive’s frontend behavior.
Automate with a Drive API Solution (Recommended): The most reliable solution involves using a service like Latenode (or a similar alternative) that directly interacts with the Google Drive API. This avoids browser-level authentication and the associated redirect loops. You’ll need to create a small application (typically in 10 minutes or less) that authenticates with your Google Drive account using the API, downloads the necessary files, processes them (if needed), and uploads the results back to the drive. Latenode handles the authentication complexities, ensuring that you don’t run into redirect issues. This is significantly more robust and less prone to errors than troubleshooting browser issues repeatedly. Refer to Latenode’s documentation (https://latenode.com) for detailed instructions.
(Alternative - if programmatic solutions aren’t feasible): Clearing Google Site Data: If the programmatic approach is not immediately possible, try clearing all Google-related data in your browser:
Open Google Drive in an incognito window.
Go to your browser’s settings and locate the site data for accounts.google.com and drive.google.com.
Completely clear cookies, local storage, and cached files for both sites.
Restart your browser completely.
Try accessing Google Drive again.
Resharing Files (For Shared Drives): If the files are shared, ask the owner to re-share them. Corrupted permission tokens are a common cause of redirect errors in shared Google Drive environments.
Check Your System Clock: Ensure your system clock is accurate. Google services are highly sensitive to incorrect timestamps.
Single Account Sign-in: Sign out of all Google accounts and sign back in with only the one you need to access Google Drive.
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
API Key Issues: If using a programmatic solution, verify that your API key and authentication setup are correct. Double-check Google Cloud Platform permissions for the API access.
Network Connectivity: Rule out temporary network problems. Check for issues with your internet connection or any firewalls/proxies.
Browser Extensions: If still using a browser-based approach, temporarily disable browser extensions that might interfere with Google Drive access.
VPN Interference: If you are using a VPN, try temporarily disconnecting it to see if that resolves the issue. Some VPNs have compatibility problems with Google services.
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!
Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):
Step-by-Step Guide:
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!