Google Drive "Download quota is exceeded": meaning and fixes
Google Drive shows "Download quota is exceeded" when too many people have viewed or downloaded a shared file in a short time. Google blocks further downloads for about 24 hours. The quickest fix is to make your own copy: open the file, click the three-dot menu, choose Make a copy, then download that copy from My Drive.
What this message means
The limit is on the file, not on your account or your storage. When a file shared by link gets a lot of views or downloads in a short time, Google Drive puts a temporary limit on it to stop abuse and heavy traffic. While the limit is active, everyone except the owner sees this message, or the related page "Sorry, you can't view or download this file at this time. Too many users have viewed or downloaded this file recently." Google says the limit usually resets within 24 hours. Your own Drive storage, your internet connection and your browser are not the cause. A copy saved to your own Drive is a new file, so the limit on the original does not apply to it.
Common causes
| Cause | How to tell |
|---|---|
| The file is popular and was shared with a public or "Anyone with the link" link | The link came from a forum, Reddit, a course or a mod site. Other people report the same error for that link, and it still fails in a private window or on another device. |
| Many downloads of one large file (video, ZIP, installer, ISO) in a short time | The file is hundreds of MB or several GB. The preview may still open, but the Download button leads to the quota message. |
| Scripts, download managers or tools like gdown hitting the same link over and over | The error appears in a terminal or script as "downloadQuotaExceeded" or "Too many users have viewed or downloaded this file recently", often after several attempts that worked. |
| You tried to download the whole shared folder, and one file inside it is over the limit | Some files in the folder download fine. One specific file keeps showing the quota message, or it is left out of the ZIP. |
How to fix it
1. Make a copy in your own Drive, then download the copy
- Sign in to your Google account at drive.google.com. Copying needs an account.
- Open the shared file link, or find the file under Shared with me.
- Right-click the file (or click the three-dot menu in the top right of the preview) and choose Make a copy.
- Go to My Drive. The copy is named "Copy of [file name]".
- Right-click the copy and choose Download.
- The copy uses your own storage. If you don't have enough free space, delete files or empty Trash first. If Make a copy also fails, go on to the next fix.
2. Put a shortcut in a folder and download the folder as a ZIP
- In My Drive, click New > New folder and create an empty folder (for example "temp").
- Open the shared file. Click the three-dot menu, choose Organize > Add shortcut (or press Shift+Z), and pick the new folder.
- Go back to My Drive, right-click the folder (not the file) and choose Download.
- Drive packs the folder into a ZIP. When it finishes, the ZIP downloads to your computer.
- Unzip it to get the file. This workaround is widely reported by users but Google does not document it, so it does not work every time.
3. Wait for the limit to reset
- Keep the link and try again after about 24 hours, which is Google's stated reset window.
- Try at an off-peak time (late night or early morning in the uploader's region). Busy files can go over the limit again soon after it resets.
- Don't keep retrying or refreshing the link. It adds to the file's traffic.
4. Download it together with another file
- Add a shortcut to the blocked file in My Drive (three-dot menu > Organize > Add shortcut).
- In My Drive, click the shortcut, then Ctrl+click (Windows) or Cmd+click (Mac) any other small file to select both.
- Right-click the selection and choose Download. Drive creates a ZIP of both files.
- Unzip it and keep the file you need.
5. If you own the file: stop the limit from coming back
File owners only
- Change sharing from Anyone with the link to specific people or a Google Group: click Share, add the email addresses or group, and set General access to Restricted.
- If you have to share with the public, make a copy of the file (Make a copy) and share the new link. The copy is a separate file with its own limit.
- Upload the file to more than one place, or split a very large archive into parts, so that downloads are spread out.
- For files that get downloaded constantly (installers, big ZIPs, media), Google recommends Google Cloud Storage or a proper hosting service instead of a public Drive link.
Next time, skip the search
Crade is an AI assistant for Mac and Windows that sees your screen. When a message like this pops up, ask “what does this mean?” and it explains the exact error in front of you, step by step.
Download CradeStill not fixed?
If a copy, a shortcut ZIP and waiting 24 hours all fail, the file is probably getting so much traffic that it goes over the limit again right after each reset. Ask the owner to share it with your email address directly, send you a new copy, or upload it somewhere else. Google Support can't lift the limit for one file. If you use a work or school account, ask your Google Workspace admin whether sharing or download restrictions are also applied to your account.
Questions people ask
How long does the Google Drive download quota last?
Google says the limit is temporary and usually resets within 24 hours. A very popular file can go over it again soon after the reset.
Does this mean my Google Drive storage is full?
No. The limit applies to the shared file, not to your storage. You only need free space if you save a copy to your own Drive.
Why can't I make a copy either?
The owner may have turned off download, print and copy for viewers, or the file may be under a stricter limit. Try the shortcut and folder ZIP method, or ask the owner to share it with you directly.
Does using a VPN or a different Google account help?
Usually not, because the limit is on the file itself and not on your IP address or account. A different account only helps because it lets you make a fresh copy.
Is it safe to use "bypass" websites that download Drive files for me?
It's risky. These sites ask for your Drive link or Google sign-in and can deliver changed files. Making your own copy in Drive does the same job and is safer.