Google Drive is an excellent solution to save local storage space on your computer while backing up files that you need. Through the cloud storage server, you don’t need to worry if you have limited disk space in your Mac computer or Windows 10 PC. Google Drive will save your files and give you access from any device through the app or web browser.
When you want to open your files directly from your computer, you can use Google Drive File Stream. It is a desktop application that works like Google Drive but without using your local disk space. You can download and install the File Stream to access your Google Drive files anytime on your desktop.
However, some users complained that they encountered a problem with their Google Drive File Stream app. It seems that the software stopped working when they try to use it. The error message says “Drive File Stream encountered a problem and has stopped.” If this issue happens to you, several solutions will help you fix the problem.
Fixing “Drive File Stream encountered a problem and has stopped” Error on Google Drive for Mac or PC
The Google Drive File Stream desktop app both works on Mac and Windows 10. You can do the workarounds below based on the computer that you are using.
Solution #1 – Exit Google Drive File Stream App
- First, launch Google Drive File Stream app on your computer.
- Click the More button or the three-dotted icon.
- Select Sign out.
- Now, go back to the More button.
- Select Quit.
Solution #2 – Reinstall Google Drive File Stream App on Mac or Windows 10
When you uninstall Google Drive File Stream, you will need to clear the cache as well. Clearing the cache will also delete pending files needed for upload. Before you reinstall Google Drive File Stream, make sure to do a backup and finish all your pending uploads.
To access the cache directory and delete the Google Drive File Stream desktop app cache folder on Mac, enter this command in the Terminal: $ rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Google/DriveFS/.
The clear the Google Drive File Stream app cache folder on Windows 10 use this command on the Command Prompt: del /S /Q %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\DriveFS
These are the cache folder location for Google Drive File Stream app:
- Windows:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\DriveFS - Mac:
~/Library/Application Support/Google/DriveFS/
Proceed with the steps below to uninstall and reinstall the app on your computer.
- Uninstall Google Drive File Stream.
- Go to Programs and Features on your Windows 10 PC.
- Look for Google Drive File Stream.
- Click Uninstall.
- For Mac, simply drag the Google Drive File Stream app to the trash to uninstall.
- Now, go to https://support.google.com/drive/answer/7329379#zippy=%2Cdownload-install-google-drive-for-desktop.
- Click Download for Windows or Download for Mac.
- Follow the instructions to reinstall Google Drive File Stream on your computer.
What other methods helped you troubleshoot the cause and fix the Google Drive File Stream app error? You can share your answers below, so other users can benefit as well.
