Google Docs Not Loading Files? 8 Fixes to Solve the Problem

Do you have problems loading Google Docs? Learn how to troubleshoot connectivity issues to get back online!

Google Docs is a free web-based word processing software that integrates into the Google Drive storage service. You can create documents, edit, and seamlessly share them with others in Google Docs. It saves everything automatically as you type, and you get ample storage for free.

Sometimes, you may run into certain issues while working in Google Docs. One prominent issue that you may face is Google Docs not loading files properly. Here are the steps you should take to resolve this issue.

1. Fix Unstable Internet Connection

Google Docs is entirely web-based and requires a fast and stable internet connection. An unstable internet connection can make Google Docs longer to load.

While Google Docs saves the document as you type, it may not consider changes you made with no internet connection. Here's how you can confirm if your system has an active internet connection:

1. Open Settings from the startup menu.

   

2. Navigate to Network & Internet > Status.

   

3. Make sure that it says, “You're connected to the Internet.”

   

If you are connected to the internet and still facing the same issue, try to run a speed test to check if the connection is stable or not.

You can also restart your router to establish a fresh, fast connection. If the problem persists with no issue in internet connectivity, move on to the next fix.

2. Log Out and Log Back in Your Google Account

There might be a problem with your account authentication that is stopping Google Docs from loading files. To rule out this issue, log out of your Google account and log back in. Here's how you can do that:

1. In the upper right corner, click on your signed-in account and tap on Sign out.

   

2. Wait for a few minutes after signing out of your Google account.

   

3. Sign in again using the same credentials.

   

Verify that the issue has been resolved. If not, clearing cache and cookies solves most of the Chrome problems.

3. Clearing Cache and Cookies

Chrome stores your browsing data based on which it displays ads. The cache also helps Chrome to quickly reload the visited pages. Although cache may help Google Docs load files much faster, it may sometimes hinder the loading process.

Clearing cache lets Chrome fetch fresh data from servers that improves browser performance. Clear cache once to see if it helps speed up the loading process. If you have never cleared cache before, here's how you can do that:

1. Launch Chrome and click on the three vertical dots located in the upper right corner.

   

2. Go to More Tools > Clear Browsing Data.

   
3. In the advanced settings of Clear Browsing Data, check the Cached images and files along with Cookies and other site data boxes.

4. Tap on Clear Data.

   

Doing this may solve the Google Docs loading problem, but it'll also remove the cached data for all other visited websites.

RELATED: Google Docs Templates That Will Make Your Life Easier

4. Granting Access in Firewall

The firewall prevents unauthorized access to your system. All modern operating systems come with this functionality. Possibly, antivirus and firewall programs may hinder syncing Google Docs data.

So, if none of the above fixes has worked so far, temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall. This is how you can disable the firewall in Windows:

1. Navigate to Control Panel from the startup menu.

   

2. Go to System and Security.

   

3. Go to Windows Defender Firewall.

   

4. Turn off the Windows Defender Firewall from the menu on the left side.

   

5. In both the private and public sections, you will need to select Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) in order to disable it.

   
6. Tap on OK after making the changes.

5. Turn Off Writing Extensions That May Interfere

Chrome's ecosystem relies heavily on extensions. You can extend the basic functionality of Chrome and make its interface more appealing with extensions. Nevertheless, some extensions may not be actively maintained and go outdated after a few months.

These outdated extensions interfere with Chrome's resources. So, there might be a chance that any writing extension like Grammarly might stop Google Docs from loading files properly. Follow the below steps to disable the extensions in Chrome.

1. Click on the three vertical dots and navigate to the Settings from the dropdown menu.

   

2. From the list of options, select Extensions.

   

3. Toggle off each extension that you may feel could interfere with Google Docs.

   

Once the issue is resolved, you are free to turn the extension back on anytime. If you face the issue again, turn off each extension one by one to filter out which extension is causing the problem. The process can be time-consuming if you have plenty of extensions installed.

RELATED: How to Enable Dark Mode in Google Docs

6. Try Incognito Mode

While browsing in the Incognito mode, Chrome creates temporary sessions and doesn't retain browsing data. With no saved cache, history, or extensions installed, Chrome performs more smoothly. Thus, opening Google Docs in Incognito mode may resolve the issue. Here is how you can access the Incognito mode:

1. Launch the Chrome browser.
2. Click on the three horizontal dots in the top right corner.

3. Tap on New Incognito Window.

   

7. Update Browser

To protect your browser from malware attacks and ensure user safety, the Chrome team regularly updates the browser. Using an outdated version that might have been exposed to malware can also hinder Chrome's browsing performance.

Chrome automatically gets updated unless you turn off auto-updates from Chrome. To ensure you are using the latest version, check the Chrome version.

To check which Chrome version you are using, click on the three vertical dots and go to Help > About Google Chrome.

If Chrome is updated to the latest version, you'll see a message, “Google Chrome is up-to-date.” Otherwise, update it by tapping on the Update button.

Enjoy Good Loading Speed With Google Docs

If none of the above fixes has worked so far, possibly, there might be some problem with your system. Log in to your Google Docs account on any other laptop to see if it resolves the issue. Also, scan your laptop for malware. If the problem persists, try signing in with a different account.

If you use Google Docs for documenting your research, there are plenty of add-ons available that’ll help you to improve your citations and bibliography. So, do check them out!

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