Google Drive "download quota exceeded": what it means and how to get the file

You open a shared Google Drive link, press Download, and instead of the file you get this: "Sorry, you can't view or download this file at this time. Too many users have viewed or downloaded this file recently." It is one of the most common Drive errors, and it has nothing to do with your account or your connection. This guide explains what triggers it and what you can do about it.

What the error means

Google limits how many times a shared file can be viewed or downloaded in a short period. When a public link spreads on a forum, a chat group or a social network, thousands of people may hit the same file within hours, and Google puts a temporary block on it. Google does not publish the exact threshold, and it varies with the size of the file and how many people request it.

The block is on the file, not on you. Other files in the same folder may still download normally, and the same file will work again once the traffic dies down.

How long does it last?

Google's own help page describes the restriction as temporary and says it usually lifts within 24 hours. Very popular files can hit the limit again soon after it resets, which is why some links seem to be blocked for days.

Five ways to get the file

1. Wait and try again later

The simplest option. Try again a few hours later, ideally at a time when fewer people are likely to be downloading it.

2. Make your own copy

This is the fix most people use, although Google does not document it. Sign in to your Google account, open the shared file and use Make a copy (in the File menu for Docs, Sheets and Slides, or by right-clicking the file in a shared folder). The copy lives in your Drive, so it does not count against the original file's download limit, and you can download it from there.

Keep in mind:

• The copy uses your own storage. A large file can fill the 15 GB that a free Google account shares between Drive, Gmail and Photos. See how to free up space in Google Drive if that happens.
• If the owner turned off downloading, printing and copying for viewers, the copy option is not available.
• "Add shortcut to Drive" does not help: a shortcut points to the same blocked file.

3. Download the files one at a time

If the block is on a whole folder download, try opening the folder and downloading the files you need individually. Each file has its own limit, so the ones that are not popular may work.

4. Ask the owner for another copy

If you know who shared the file, ask them to share a fresh copy or a different link. A new copy starts with a clean count.

5. Check whether you need the whole file

Documents, PDFs and spreadsheets can often be previewed in the browser even when downloading fails later in the day. If you only need to read something, the preview may be enough.

If you are the owner of the file

When people tell you your link is blocked, you have a few options:

• Share a copy. Make a copy of the file and share the new link. It starts fresh.
• Limit who has the link. Files set to "Anyone with the link" and posted publicly are the ones that hit the limit. Sharing with specific people avoids it.
• Use storage built for distribution. If you regularly share big files with many people, a storage service with download links meant for that, such as pCloud, can be a better fit than a personal Drive.

A note on what you download

Files that hit the quota are usually popular because someone posted them widely, and that includes files that were never meant to be shared. Download what you have the right to use, and be careful with programs and archives from people you don't know. Our guide on searching public Google Drive files has a short checklist for that.

Frequently asked questions

Does a VPN or a different browser help?

No. The limit applies to the file, not to your IP address or browser.

Why does the error appear when only I have the link?

Someone else probably posted the same link elsewhere. Once a link is public, you can't know how many people use it.

Can I download a whole folder that hit the limit?

Try the files one by one, or make copies of them in your Drive. For big folders in general, see how to download a whole Google Drive folder.