Google Drive Full But No Files? Here’s the Fix

Mehvish Mushtaq is a computer engineer by degree. Her love for Android and gadgets led her to develop the first Android app for Kashmir. Known as Dial Kashmir, she won the prestigious Nari Shakti award from the President of India. She has been writing about technology for 6+ years and her favorite categories include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, social media, and web apps.

Afam has been a content writer with Guiding Tech Media since August 2023. However, his experience in tech writing dates back to 2018, when he worked as a freelance writer for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has grown a reputation for publishing quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles. His work is featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, and Next of Windows. He has training as a Microsoft Certified Professional and has covered more Microsoft-related guides on these platforms.

Basic Fixes:

Fix 1: Delete Orphan Files

Sometimes, when you delete a folder from Google Drive, its files aren’t deleted. Such files are known as orphan files. They aren’t visible directly in Drive. You can view them following the steps below:

Step 1:Open yourdriveon a browser.

Step 2:In the search bar, type the path below and hitEnter.

Step 3:Deletefilesthat show up.

Tip: You can delete the files on the web by dragging them to the Trash folder.

Fix 2: Remove Hidden App Data

If you use Google Drive to back up data from third-party apps, such data will also take up storage. To view such hidden data, follow these steps:

Step 1:Open yourdrivefrom a browser.

Step 2:Click on theSettings iconat the top > selectSettings.

Step 3:Click onManage Appsfrom the left side. Scroll down to see the data taken up by apps. Click onOptionsnext to the app and selectDelete hidden app dataif you no longer require the data.

Fix 3: Empty Google Drive Trash

When you delete files from Google Drive, they are not deleted permanently. They are taken to the Trash or Bin folder, where they stay until you empty your trash bin manually. So, if Google Drive is showing full, you must empty the bin to clear the storage.

Step 1:Open theGoogle Drive website.

Step 2:ClickTrashon the left pane >Empty Trashon the right.

On an Android or iOS device, you may follow the steps below:

Step 1:Open theDrive app.

Step 2:Tap thethree-bar iconat the top and selectTrash.

Step 3:Select all the files. Hit thethree-dot iconat the top and selectDelete foreverorEmpty trash. Restart your phone.

Fix 4: Use the Google Drive Clean up Space Feature

Google has a clean-up service,Google One. You may use the service’s options to remove pilled-up content. Follow the steps below.

Step 1:Navigate toGoogle One.

Step 2:ClickStoragein the left corner > click onFree up account Storageon the right.

Step 3:Select from theClean up suggested itemsor theClean up by servicemenu. Then, follow the suggestions to complete the process.

Fix 5: Delete Old and Unnecessary Backups

Your old backups may occupy space and will not show up with all the other data you have on the drive. To delete them, follow the steps below.

Step 1:LaunchGoogle Drive.

Step 2:ClickStoragein the left panel > clickBackupsat the top-right corner.

Step 3:You may now delete any available backups.

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Last updated on 28 May, 2024

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