Here is what to do If Google Docs won't open

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Google Docs won’t open in Chrome

Part of the popular Google Office Suite (G suite), Google Docs has rapidly won over users because of its ease of use, online collaboration abilities, and flexibility.

But like other software, it occasionally has frustrating problems which make it difficult for you to work.

One of the quite common ones concerns access to G suite documents and here, users sometimes get the “Google docs won’t open” message when attempting to open their Google docs.

There could be some others but for now, we want to see how you can resolve this problem:

What prevents Google Docs from opening

If a doc won’t open, a couple of things may be wrong. Here is a highlight of the most common causes:

• The file owner may not have assigned you permissions to view the doc.
• You’re accessing the file from another Google Account but your usual account.
• Someone has removed your right to open the file.
• An unstable internet connection will mess file loading and opening depending on the size of the doc.
• Browser issues such as the cache being full, an outdated browser, and more could make it difficult to load and open g drive files.
• Your antivirus software could be mistaking the document for a malicious file.
• A fault resulting from a recent upgrade to Google Drive’s Backup and Sync facility.

ALSO READ: Full Fix: Google Drive is unable to connect

What can I do if Google Docs won’t open?

There are several workarounds that you can try in order to successfully open your Google doc.

Fix 1: Request permission to open the Document

Where the issue arose because of lacking permission, ask the file owner to allocate you opening rights.

Steps:

On the page “You need permission“, click on Request access.

Retry. The file should now open without hitches.

Fix 2: Contact the owner Directly and Ask for immediate access

You can also write to the owner directly asking them to modify the file sharing options from their side and permit you to view the file.

Fix 3: Switch Your Google Account

It’s also possible that the document was set to be opened from a Google Account different from the one you’re using.

This is especially common when you have more than one account so you need to switch to the original account to open the doc in question.

Steps:

On the page “You need permission“, click on Switch accounts.

Fix 4: Use a third party Word processor

You can first save the doc to your PC then open it using a different word processor such as Microsoft Word or Zoho Writer.

Steps:

Right-click on the problematic doc file then click on the Properties

Click on Change…

Select Microsoft Office Word or a similar program.

ALSO READ: Microsoft Word- a Timeless Word processor

Fix 5: Wait and try to open it later

In some cases, documents are unavailable temporarily perhaps due to internet connectivity challenges, outages for Google Drive, or Google servers or even synchronization hiccups.

You can give your Google drive the benefit of doubt and assume that the document is just temporarily inaccessible.

And so you wait a bit then try to reopen the document. It does work sometimes!

Fix 6: Try another browser

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In certain instances, Google documents which have all along been failing to open on one browser do open when accessed from other browsers.

Can you then move to Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox depending on your current browsing software and see how it goes?

It also helps if whatever browser you are using is up to date and that you are on the latest version.

Fix 7: Clear Your Browser’s Cache/Cookies

Cookies are files are typically created by the sites you visit to make your internet experience better through saving your browsing data.

The cache, on other hand, remembers parts of various pages, like loaded images, to help these open faster on your next visit.

Some tools including G Suite, however, load slower because of this content. You, therefore, need to clean these details before opening your Drive files.

Steps:

Google Chrome

Select the check boxes next to Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.

Edge

Check on the boxes marked Cached data and files and Cookies and saved website data.

 Mozilla Firefox

Mark the check box next to the Cookies and Site Data as well the one near Cached Web Content

Fix 8: Check Your Internet Connectivity

A weak internet connection common causes document opening issues.
Try your luck by connecting to another network and see if your doc file will load and open correctly.

Fix 9: Check Your Antivirus Software

Adblockers and Virus scanning software on your PC on occasion interfere with Drive files, including Google Docs.

You can disable it briefly or check to make sure that your antivirus software is not restricting G Suite.

Fix 10: Try another device

The glitch could have something to do with the hardware you’re using so on occasion the file that was refusing to open on your laptop successfully opens from your smartphone or desktop.

Log in to G drive from your other devices and try to open the doc.

Fix 11: Share It With A Friend

If you are yet to cut it, share the doc with another person and see if he/she can open it .

Where possible, request them to re-share the file with you afresh.

You should then make another attempt at opening it from your Google account.

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