4 Ways to Fix Google Docs Offline Not Working

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer specializing in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Google web apps. Besides Guiding Tech, you can read his work at iPhone Hacks, Online Tech Tips, Help Desk Geek, MakeUseOf, and Switching to Mac.

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Try Basic Fixes

Fix 1. Enable Offline Access in Docs or Drive

You have Chrome installed and verified that the Google Docs Offline extension is downloaded and activated. If you are still facing issues getting Google Docs to kick in when offline, your following action should be to verify that offline access is enabled for Google Docs. And it’s pretty simple to do that.

Step 1:To access the Home screen of Google Docs, open theDocsmenu.

Step 2:Go toSettingsand turn on the toggle for theOfflineoption.

If it is enabled, switch it off and turn it on again. Doing that tends to resolve any bugs associated with offline access.

Fix 2. Create a New Chrome Profile

Are you in a shared environment? If so, a single Chrome profile will only support a single Google Docs account for offline syncing. This is usually denoted by the “Another user has already enabled offline access on this computer error” when attempting to enable offline access in Google Docs.

Step 1:To create another profile, click on theChrome profilepictureat the top-right of the Chrome window

Step 2:ClickManage People. On the pop-up window that shows up, clickAdd Person.

Step 3:Sign inwith your Google Account credentials and enableoffline modein Google Docs.

Fix 3. Manually Save Files Offline

Google Docs will only save your most recent files offline. This is done to conserve local storage. If you want to be sure that a file you want to work on is available without an internet connection, manually make it accessible offline.

Step 1:From the Google Docs Home screen, click thedocument’s vertical ellipsisicon to the left (or bottom in grid view).

Step 2:Enable the toggle forAvailable Offline.

Alternatively, you can do the same while a document is open. To do that, click theFilemenu >Make Available Offline.

Fix 4. Clear Google Docs Cache

An outdated browser cache can often work against you. If you face specific errors when using Google Docs offline, such as ‘Checking offline sync status’ or ‘Offline setup failed,’ or attempting to make files available offline results in a stuck ‘syncing’ animation, clear the cache.

Step 1:Copy and paste the following path into theaddress barof anew taband pressEnter.

Step 2:On the screen that shows up, clickRemove All.

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Last updated on 11 July, 2024

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