Guide: Fix ‘Google Docs Offline Not Working’ Issue
It’s been a while since I’ve ditched Word for Google Docs, and I don’t regret my decision for a moment. But if there is a downside to using Google’s word processor, it’s the rather erratic offline experience. And given the spotty internet in my area, that’s a concern. Over time, I’ve learned of a number of reasons that can cause Google Docs to not work properly offline. If you’re having trouble when trying to use Google Docs offline, let me give you a few tips that will help you move things in the right direction. This troubleshooting tips also apply to Google Sheets and Slides, so if you’re having trouble getting your spreadsheets or slideshows to work offline, feel free to try them out.
1. Switch to Google Chrome
I was quite shocked to realize that Google Docs only worked offline in Chrome. But really, can we blame Google for wanting Docs to continue to function optimally in their own web browser? Download Google Chrome Unlike other browsers, documents running in Chrome won’t crash while you’re working on a document if you lose the internet connection. And even better, it’s the only browser to officially support the Google Docs Offline extension – just install it and you’ll have seamless access to your most recent documents, even when you’re offline.
So if you are using a browser like Firefox, Safari or Edge you will have to switch browsers. Yes – that sucks, but it’s something you have to do if you really want to use Google Docs offline. After installing Chrome, don’t forget to install the Google Docs Offline extension as well. Download the offline extension for Google Docs Technically, other Chromium-based browsers (Opera, Brave, Vivaldi, Edge Chromium, etc.) should also support the Google Docs Offline extension. While I haven’t personally tried this, Vlad Savov from The Verge seems to have the extension up and run in Brave without any problems. It’s something you can look at when using such a browser.
2. Enable Google Docs Offline Extension
Already using Google Chrome? If you cannot open documents in Google Docs when you are offline, make sure you have installed the Google Docs Offline extension again. If you are absolutely positive that you have it installed, go to the Extensions panel in Chrome and make sure it is enabled. To go to the Extensions panel, open the Chrome menu, point to More tools and click Extensions.
3. Enable offline access in Docs or Drive
You have installed Chrome and you have also verified that the Google Docs Offline extension has been downloaded and activated. If you are still having trouble activating Google Docs when offline, your next step should be to verify that offline access is enabled for Google Docs. And it is quite easy to do that. Within the Home Google Docs screen, open the Docs menu, click Settings, and turn on the switch next to Offline.
If it is already on, it is always a good idea to turn it off and on again. Doing that usually fixes any bugs related to offline access.
4. Create a new Chrome profile
Are you in a shared environment? If so, one Chrome profile will only support one Google Docs account for offline sync. This is usually indicated by the error ‘Another user has already enabled offline access on this computer’ when trying to enable offline access in Google Docs. In this case, you will need to disable offline access for the Google Docs account for which it is currently activated. To do that, you need to log into that specific Google Docs account. If that’s not possible (like in case you don’t know the exact account or don’t own the account) then there is an alternative way: you need to create a separate Chrome profile and use that instead. To create another profile, click on the Chrome profile picture in the top right corner of the Chrome window, then click Manage people. On the pop-up window that appears up, click Add Person. You can then sign in with your Google account information and enable offline mode in Google Docs. Warning: Google Docs warns against using offline access in a shared environment due to potential privacy and security issues in such an environment.
5. Manually save files offline
Google Docs only stores your most recent files offline. This is done in an effort to preserve local storage. If you want to make sure that a file you want to work on is available without an Internet connection, you must manually make it accessible offline. Simply click on the vertical ellipsis icon to the left (or at the very bottom of the grid view) of any document in Google Docs Home screen, and then tap the switch next to Available offline.
You can also do the same while a document is open. To do that, click on the File menu and then click Make Available Offline.
6. Do not use incognito mode
Are you using Google Docs in Chrome’s Incognito mode? Stop that. For starters, all Chrome extensions are turned off by default in Incognito mode, which means that Google Docs cannot access the Google Docs Offline extension to function properly. And even if you enable the Incognito Mode extension, Chrome will clear the browser cache when you close it, meaning you won’t be able to access files you’ve saved offline on subsequent visits.
If this sounds like something you’ve done, start using Google Docs outside of Incognito mode. Tip You can spot Incognito tabs by checking the top right corner of the Chrome window. If it says ‘Incognito’, you are in an Incognito tab.
Update Chrome
If you’re still having issues when trying to load Google Docs offline, it’s best to update Chrome before we proceed. The latest releases usually contain loads of bug fixes, and since both products are from Google, a browser update is absolutely warranted.
To do this, open the Chrome menu, point to Help, and click About Google Chrome. If new updates are available, Chrome should install them automatically. You must restart the browser for any updates to take effect.
8. Clear the Google Docs cache
Often times, an outdated browser cache can work against you. If you encounter specific errors when using Google Docs offline, such as ‘Offline sync status check’ or ‘Offline installation failed’, or if an attempt to make files available offline results in a stuck ‘sync’ animation, then you should empty cache memory. The good news is that instead of clearing the entire browser cache and logging in from just about anywhere from scratch, you can clear cache files pertaining only to Google Docs. Copy and paste the following path into the address bar of a new tab and press Enter. On the screen that shows up, click Delete All. chrome: // settings / cookies / detail? site = docs.google.com
9. Use Documents without extensions
Often times, conflicts with certain extensions can cause all kinds of problems in Chrome. If you occasionally run into issues where Google Docs doesn’t work properly offline, try to isolate any problematic extensions. To do this, use Google Docs with all extensions except the Google Docs Offline extension disabled. Go to the Extensions screen (open the Chrome menu, point to Tools, then click Extensions) to disable your extensions.
Then, if Google Docs starts working offline without any problems, restart the extensions, one at a time or in batches, to identify the problematic add-on. Once you have isolated it, delete the extension or keep it temporarily disabled and notify the extension developer.
10. Reset Chrome settings
Often times, incorrectly configured browser settings can wreak havoc. Typically this is caused by the use of many extensions over time, although browser hijackers can also play a role. Try resetting Chrome to see if it allows Google Docs to function effectively offline. To do this, go to the Chrome settings panel. Next, expand the option labeled Advanced in the left pane and then click on Reset and Clean Up (referred to as ‘Reset Settings’ in Chrome for macOS). Finally, click on Reset settings to their original defaults and then click on Reset settings in the confirmation box.up box. Resetting Chrome won’t delete your bookmarks or passwords. However, all pinned tabs, home pages, search engines, etc. will be restored to their default settings. Click on the link in the confirmation dialog box for the full list of affected items.
Since all extensions are also disabled after the reset, please re-enable the Google Docs Offline extension from the Extensions panel before checking if resetting the browser helped resolve the issue.
11. Run Chrome Cleanup Tool
Another reason Google Docs may not function normally is due to problematic browser extensions or hidden forms of malware. Even though we just fixed Chrome, it’s always possible that malicious extensions and browser hijackers still hang. Fortunately, Chrome has its own malware cleaning tool (surprise!) That can help you get rid of it. Go to Chrome settings panel, expand Advanced on the left page, click Reset and clean Up, click Clean up Up Computer, then click Search to search for malicious software. Note: The beautiful Up Computer option is not present in macOS version of Google Chrome.
Back to work
I hope troubleshooting tips above helped you solve the offline problems you had with Google Docs. Usually, you can fix these issues by switching to Chrome, installing or enabling the Google Docs Offline extension, or clearing the Google Docs cache. Although it is downright painful to put one of the other tips In practice, it’s worth it to keep Google Docs running normally. It’s that good. The next up Now that you have Google Docs back to normal, you can improve it up on the productivity side with this fantastic set of add-ons.
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