Fix: Can’t Click To Open Folders or Files in Google Drive

Google Drive is one of the most popular online cloud storage platforms where you can store files, share, and sync across devices by using the Google account. Though using Google Drive and uploading or downloading files or folders are quite easy for all, sometimes it can possible that users can’t access any specific file. Plenty of users have started reporting that they Can’t Click To Open Folders or Files in Google Drive which is really frustrating. Now, if you’re also one of the victims, you should check out some of the possible workarounds below that can resolve this issue completely.

According to plenty of affected Google Drive users, simply double-clicking on the files/folders don’t open the content for some reason. While sometimes even though users can get into a folder in Google Drive, after trying to open a subfolder or file, the Google Drive eventually starts freezing and users become unable to open any further file/folder. The most interesting part is that during that mess, the drive search bar and sidebar still work like a charm.

Even clearing browser cache or cookies or browsing data doesn’t help to skip this particular issue. It’s also worth mentioning that the same issue is happening across multiple web browsers and multiple computers which is again very irritating. But the issue seems to be happening for a limited number of Google Driver users and not for all at the same time. If you’re also encountering the same issue, check this troubleshooting guide.

Fix: Can’t Click To Open Folders or Files in Google Drive

Luckily, there are a couple of possible workarounds that should work for you because plenty of affected users have already got benefitted from any of these.

1. Use Google Drive File Stream

So, the Google Drive File Stream literally allows you to directly stream your Google Drive files or folders to your PC or Mac without any hassle. It also offers to free up drive disk space & network bandwidth. Because drive files are stored directly to cloud storage, any changes will be automatically updated everywhere and very quickly also.

So, if in case, you’re having issues with the uploading or downloading files or folders on Google Drive or if the file opening process doesn’t work, try using Drive File Stream on your computer without a second thought. To install or deploy Drive File Stream on your Windows or Mac, you can follow the in-depth Google Workspace Admin Help Guide here. Additionally, you can uninstall or reinstall the Drive File Stream on your computer.

2. Try Logging Out and In

It seems that several users have easily fixed the file not opening issue on Google Drive by just signing out from their account and signing back into it. Most of us do this trick pretty much on everything related to an online account or profile system. So, give it a try as well. To do this:

• Open the Google Drive page on your browser.
• Make sure that you’ve already logged into it.
• First, press Ctrl + F5 to fully refresh the page irrespective of the browser cache. If that trick fixes the issue then you don’t need to log out from your account.
• But if that didn’t work, try signing out from your account and signing back into it. Just click on the profile icon from the top right corner > Click on ‘Sign out’ or ‘Sign out from all accounts’.
• Once all done, close the browser and open it again.
• Finally, open the Google Drive page and sign in to your existing account to check for the issue.

3. Open File in Another Way

Though this can be annoying for some of the users to do the trick every time, it can at least allow you to open the file/folder.

• So, right-click on the file or folder on Google Drive.
• Click on ‘View Details’ > The file info will pop-up on the right side.
• Now, all you need to do is just click on the file name on top to get into it.

It’s weird to do always but a useful one. You can try out some other methods to fix the issue.

4. Clear Browser Cache

It’s needless to say that just clearing the Chrome browser cache or any other browser cache and turning off the extensions can fix plenty of issues completely. Here we’ve shared the Chrome browser method. If you’re using any other browser, the steps should be the almost same. To do that:

1. Open Chrome browser > Click on the Menu (three vertical dots icon) from the upper right side.
2. Now, hover over the More tools field to expand the drop-down list.
3. Click on Clear browsing data.
4. Next, under the Basic tab, select the Time range according to your preference.
5. Then click on the checkbox of Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files to select them.
6. Click on Clear data.
7. Once done, restart your Chrome browser.
8. Finally, log into your Google Drive account to check for the issue again.

5. Turn Off Browser Extensions

Disabling all the browser extensions (mostly on Chrome) can fix multiple issues with the file opening, downloading, uploading, accessing any site, etc. Here we’re using the Chrome browser for example.

• Launch the Chrome browser > Click on the Menu (three vertical dots icon) from the upper right side of the browser interface.
• Now, hover over the More tools field to expand the drop-down list.
• Click on Extensions > Disable all the extensions individually by turning off toggles.
• Next, close the browser and re-open it.
• Finally, try running the browser again and check for the Google Drive file not opening issue.

6. Update Browser

Updating your Chrome browser or whichever browser you’re using on your computer should fix plenty of issues completely. Here we’re using Chrome browser for example. To do this:

• Open the Google Chrome browser > Click on the Menu (three vertical dots icon) from the upper right side.
• Now, click on Settings > Choose About Chrome from the left pane.
• It’ll automatically check for available updates. If there is an update available, it’ll automatically download and install the update too.
• Finally, restart your browser and check for the Google Drive issue.

7. Get Access to Open a File

It can also possible that you’re trying to open a file or folder which is private or unauthorized. Sometimes the Google Drive files aren’t shared with all which can also cause can’t click to open folders or files in the Google Drive issue.

• First of all, you have to try to open the file on Google Drive.
• If that shows to send a request for access, click on the ‘Send’ icon to ‘Request access page’.
• The owner of the file will get your request via mail.
• If the owner approves your request, you’ll be able to open or download the file easily.

8. Try Using Another Google Account

• Open the Google Drive page on your browser.
• Click on the profile icon at the top right corner of the screen.
• Go to your email address and click on the down arrow icon.
• Click on Add account and enter another Gmail credential to sign into it.
• Once done, check whether you can open a file/folder on Google Drive or not.

9. Create a new Chrome Profile

Try using another Chrome profile on your Chrome browser to check for the issue. Sometimes it can possible that your Chrome profile causes issues with the files or opening sites.

• Launch the Chrome browser > Click on the Profile icon from the upper right corner.
• Click on the + Add option > Just enter your details to create the profile. (Input Name, Choose Avatar, and click on Create a desktop shortcut for this user checkbox)
• Once done, click on Add and close the Chrome browser.
• Then double-click on the Profile desktop shortcut to open up a new browser tab.
• Finally, check for the issue again.

That’s it, guys. We hope you’ve found this guide useful. Feel free to ask in the comment below for further queries.