Can't Sign Into Google Drive Desktop: How to Fix it

Is your Google Drive app’s system tray icon greyed out with no option to sign in? If you can’t sign in with your Google Drive app, there are a few potential fixes.

These are some probable fixes to try out in various Windows platforms if you can’t sign in with the Google Drive client software.

If you’re asking why Google Drive keeps asking me to sign in, that can be caused by several issues, but we’ve got solutions for all of them below.

Many use Google Drive to store their data online. However, sometimes issues with Google Drive can occur and prevent you from signing in.

Speaking of Google Drive errors, here are some of the most common issues that users reported:

• Google Drive you are not signed in Internet Explorer, Chrome – According to users, this issue can appear in almost any browser. If that’s the case, try disabling your proxy and check if that helps. In addition, you can try switching to a different browser and check if that helps.
• Google Drive not signed in Windows 7 – This problem can appear in older versions of Windows, and Windows 7 and 8 aren’t exceptions. Even if you don’t use Windows 10, you should be able to apply most of our solutions to your system.
• Google Drive you are not signed in during upload – According to users, sometimes you might encounter this issue while trying to upload your files. To fix the problem, be sure to check your Internet options and change them if needed.
• Google Drive not syncing Windows 10 – If you have any syncing issues with Google Drive, find out what to do when Google Drive won’t sync.
• Google Drive keeps asking me to sign in – Many users reported that Google Drive asks them to sign in even when they are already logged into the platform.

Quick Tip:

Try accessing Google Drive using another browser, like Opera One. It’s built using the new Chromium engine and works just as well, if not faster than other browsers like Chrome or IE.

Besides, you can enjoy private navigation through your Google Drive files thanks to the built-in VPN and the tracking blocker. Also, this browser comes with a native AI.

Opera One

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Can I access Google Drive without a Gmail account?

Yes, you can access Google Drive, and most of the other services, using a non-Google account or one ending with @gmail.com.

To do that, head to Google’s account creation page, enter the account details, including the email address, and create an account. Once done, you would get the 15GB storage space as others on Google Drive.

Can you upload to Google Drive without a Google Account?

No, whenever someone shares a link with you to access Google Drive, you would be asked to either provide an address linked to Google or create one. So, you will have to create a Google account.

Also, to add files to their allotted storage space on Google Drive, users are required to create a Google account, though it’s not mandatory to use Gmail for the purpose.

How do I get rid of sign in required Google Drive?

2. Switch off the Windows Firewall

1. Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, enter Windows Firewall in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
2. Select the Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the left.
   
3. Select the Turn off Windows Firewall option under both the network settings and click OK.
   

The Windows Firewall might be blocking the Google Drive app. So switch it off to see if that makes a difference. If the backup and sync not signed in problem persist, head to the next method.

3. Allow an app in Windows Firewall

1. Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, enter Allow an app through Windows Firewall, and click on the relevant search result.
2. Now scroll down to Google Drive and verify that both the checkboxes are selected here.
   
3. In case you don’t find Google Drive listed here, click on the Change settings button.
4. Now, click on Allow another app.
5. Click Browse.
6. Locate the Google Drive launcher, select it, and click Open.
7. Now, click Add.
8. Next, verify that both the checkboxes for Private and Public are ticked, and click on OK to save the changes.

That’s it. Whitelisting it in Windows Firewall will help fix the Google Drive can’t sign in error, and you won’t have to disable Firewall anymore.

5. Re-establish the Google Drive Path

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, select all Google Drive processes one at a time, and then click the End task button.
2. Next, press Windows + E to open File Explorer, paste the following path in the address bar, and then hit Enter while replacing Username with the one on your device:C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google
3. Now, select the Drive folder and hit the Delete key to erase it.

Once done, check if the Google Drive desktop can’t sign in problem is resolved. If not, head to the next method.

7. Adjust the Region Settings in Windows

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run command, enter control panel in the text field, and then click OK.
2. Click on Change date, time, or number formats under Clock and Region.
3. Select English (United States) from the Format drop-down menu.
4. Press the Apply and OK buttons at the bottom of the window.

8. Check the User Directory Google Drive folder permissions

1. First, right-click your Google Drive folder in File Explorer and select Properties from the context menu.
2. Navigate to the Security tab.
3. Select your user account and then check the folder permissions. If some of the permissions are denied, click the Edit button.
4. Now click all the Allow checkboxes to grant the folder all permissions.
5. Click Apply and OK to confirm the new folder settings.

Also, check your Google Drive folder permissions. The Windows account you use with Google Drive should give you full control of that folder.

9. Remove Google from Trusted sites

1. Press Windows + S, enter internet options, and click the relevant search result.
2. Navigate to the Security tab, select Trusted sites, and then click the Sites button.
   
3. Now you should see all websites that are on your list of trusted websites. Select Google and then click the Remove button.
   
4. Once you remove Google from the list of trusted websites, save changes, and close the Internet Options window.

According to users, sometimes issues with Google Drive can appear due to your Internet settings.

If you’re getting You are not signed in message while trying to access Google Drive, the problem might be your Trusted sites list, and following the steps here should fix things.

Can someone else upload files to my Google Drive?

Yes, anyone can upload files to your Google Drive, given they have access to it and the permission to edit. Here, you have to suitably configure the sharing settings before providing access to Google Drive to others.

Google Drive offers three options for sharing files, Viewer, Commentor, and Editor. If you want others to be able to upload files, choose Editor.

So, with these fixes, you should be able to fix things when seeing the Google Drive can’t sign in error.

Also, find out what to do if Google Drive keeps crashing in Windows 10/11.

If you know of other fixes that have worked for this error, drop them in the comments section below.