Share this article

Improve this guide

Google Drive zip failed / stuck on zipping [Full Fix]

4 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

Although Google Drive lets you download any Google doc or files with your shared users, the process is not always as smooth as intended.

This can be very frustrating, especially when you urgently need some files, but are unable to download them for one reason or another.

Here’s what you need to do if Google Drive is not downloading after zipping.

How can I fix Google Drive zip failed error?

How can I fix Google Drive zip failed error?

1. Ensure your files don’t exceed the limit allowed by Google

To ensure a smooth download, Google normally limits the zip files to 2GB and the number of files to 500 per folder.

Exceeding this limit will result in Google Drive zipping files slow or Google Drive not zipping files at all. Google normally splits archives larger than 2GB into multiple zip files.

However, selecting the TBZ or TGZ format for your archive increases the size limit to 50GB, making it less likely for Google to split your archive.

Note that you may need to install special software to unpack a TBZ or TGZ archive.

2. Put the files in one folder

Another workaround that has worked for many users is to put all the files you want to download in one folder and download the folder instead.

The zip should contain the folder and its contents. Though this solution worked great for Windows 10 users, various users reported problems in getting the zip to work on Windows Vista and previous versions.

Did the above methods fix the problem? We would love to hear about your experience in the comments section below.

Later edit: also, please be advised that this kind of error can be temporary. Therefore, if you’re getting the Google Drive Zip failed, Zip creation failed or Zip failed login error, it could be just something with the server, so try again in a couple more hours.

3. Use an alternative Zip application

Experts have explained that Google Drive not downloading zip issues only exist when using Microsoft’s built-in zip utility, so the best way to fix it is to switch the zip application.

Using an alternativeZipapplication such asWinZipis an effective workaround for this issue as many users on the community forum reported.

WinZip is more than a tool for zipping and unzipping files and folders.

It’s an all-in-one file manager that allows you to compress and decompress tosave space on your hard drive,encrypt and password-protect your zip files and folders,manage and organize your filesand so on.

Compatible with all major file formats, this tool allows provides you with a complete file management suite to handle your files effortlessly, share them, back them up and protect them according to your wishes.

Here’s a quick guide to zipping a folder with WinZip(and we do mean quick!):

Now, let’s quickly look at itskey features:

”WinZip””The”Free&aff_sub2=Native” current_url=”true” button_text=”Get it now” image=”https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/winzip-windows-10-compression-tool-210×160.jpg”]

”WinZip”

In addition to the above workarounds, it’s also advisable to clear caches and cookies.

[wl_navigator]

More about the topics:Google Drive

Madalina Dinita

Networking & Security Specialist

Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.

She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.

Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.

User forum

1 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Δ

Madalina Dinita

Networking & Security Specialist

Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.