Updated June, 2021

Are you a fan of Google services, but similar me? Then, at that place's a big run a risk that you're a Google Drive user, the cloud storage with the largest number of active users, 2 billion monthly users – could you imagine?

Regarding its benefits, no wonder that Google Drive has and so many fans. It's height-performing, easy to employ, & affordable. The storage is likewise very secure & has lots of storage chapters.

Google Drive notwithstanding has its weaknesses & shortcomings. For example, users tend to complain about its depression speed. We tried to make your life easier by writing most basic troubleshooting in Google Drive & focusing on more advanced Google Drive fixes.

Just its upload speed stays a common source of frustration. Personally, I feel similar I'm wasting my fourth dimension, sitting in forepart of my computer & trying to upload photos so that I can sell pictures online (large paradigm files) for the final 10 minutes. I bet the irritation of someone working with videos is ten times college.

And so now it'south a skilful fourth dimension to discuss Google Drive upload speed, its factors & difficulties. Nosotros'll reply this large question – how long does information technology take for Google Drive to process a video? And more than chiefly, we'll find ways of how to speed up your Google Drive upload.

Behind the scenes of uploading to Google Drive

By and large, three factors influence your upload speed in Google Drive:

  1. File size. Obviously, smaller files similar texts or images will upload quicker than 4k videos;
  2. Internet speed & connectivity. If your device is connected to high-speed internet, your assets will get uploaded to Google Drive faster. And deject storage will work quicker in general.
  3. Your device capacity. Endeavour using newer & more than powerful software for higher upload speed. Large or bulk file upload is a large burden for your device processor. This, in turn, affects your operation. Likewise, avoid running many tasks at the same time. This also makes your deject storage work slower.Allow'due south consider what happens when y'all upload a file to Google Drive. Once you click Upload files/folders > Open, Google Drive needs some time to process your data. The deject storage is scanning files & rendering previews.

For example, if it's an image or video, the system takes fourth dimension to convert the asset into a diverseness of formats, codecs, and resolutions. It makes sure you tin can open up your media on whatsoever device you lot're using.

Of course, videos are the near challenging file type to upload. They're large & bulky so you lot see "upload error" on your screen more frequently. The inquiry "how long does it take for Google Bulldoze to process a video" ranks high on search engines. And I'thousand certain if you've ever dealt with videos, you were wondering about this question too.

Our crude interpretation says that you lot'll need 1 hour per i GB to upload a video (or whatsoever other type of file). Add 10 minutes per GB to this number for processing a video.

Past the fashion, yous can track the progress of uploading your file. Come across this pop-upwardly in the right corner of your screen:

Track the progress of uploading files to your Google Drive

You cannot rails the file processing, though. When you attempt to open up the file, you'll see this warning bulletin:

The warning message

You keep declining to open your file until the processing stops. So you'll know for certain when the upload procedure is completed – yous'll exist able to run the file without any disruption.

For a more comprehensive noesis, read our ultimate guide to uploading files to Google Drive.

Make Your Google Bulldoze Upload Faster

Now when we know everything about Google Drive upload, let's notice ways to increase your upload speed.

Check your Google Drive upload speed

Start taking the upload speed test for your Google Bulldoze. You'll go to know the speed of your deject storage connection & whether any radical measures are necessary. Like when the upload speed is too slow, you'd probably need to check your hardware or the internet connection. Anyhow, this signals some major issues, which we unlikely solve with our footling troubleshooting ideas.

Google doesn't requite whatever precise info on normal Google Drive speed so y'all could compare it to your own data. Still, Reddit user /justindustin writes about 45 MB per 2d as the ideal speed you can expect.

Here yous should also retrieve most the Google Drive limit of 3 files per second & 750 GB a 24-hour interval. This means that the upload of many small files could accept you more time than one large asset. And if you're planning to upload 5 TB of info (equally the Reddit user has been trying), you might need to expect a whole week. (Simply for the 750 GB limit, there's a workaround. Add together one more user to Drive, and you get another 750 GB.)

Alter your app settings

Now it's time to take steps to really solve your Drive upload problems. A skilful starting point is to configure basic settings in your Google Drive app. If yous're using a desktop version, open Settings (choose the icon & click on three dots). Then click on Preferences > Advanced.

In this department, you'll encounter different options of how to configure your Google Bulldoze. But if yous want to increment upload speed, choose Direct connection nether "Proxy" and Don't limit for Upload Rate (and mayhap also Download Rate) under "Bandwidth".

If you lot're a browser version user as I am, the best you can do is to clear up your browser information. Get to your browser Settings (for case, in Chrome, you demand to click on the three dots in the upper correct corner). So select Privacy & Security > Clear Browsing Data > Advanced > Articulate data.

Clear browsing data

It's up to you lot to choose which information you want to delete. But for better results, we recommend removing everything: your browser & download history, cookies, cached data, etc.

Additionally, you can fix up a hardware dispatch for your browser. Once again, become to the Settings department > Advanced Settings > System > Utilise hardware acceleration when available. This should speed upwards your Google Drive on a web version also.

Set up hardware acceleration for your browser

Reduce your file size

Compressing your file is a fit-information technology-all solution. Yous might non know the existent reason for your slow upload to Google Bulldoze. But reducing your file size through compression volition piece of work anyhow. For one thing, it'll reduce the buffer time to add a large file to your cloud storage. For another, yous'll save up your storage infinite.

Archiving your files is also a very good strategy if y'all need to transfer your information further like sharing them with colleagues or clients.

You might mutter that you cannot preview files in this scenario. But this is non the case anymore. Unzip your info right in the Google Drive app by connecting apps like Zip Extractor or something like.

Click on the + symbol on the left side of your Google Drive:

Connect an app to Google Drive

So, choose More > Connect more apps. Select the app you need & grant all the permissions. At present when you lot right-click on the archive, y'all'll exist able to unzip the files in your Google Bulldoze account.

Try the Drive Uploader app

To use Drive Uploader is another uncomplicated, but effective way to speed upwardly your Google Drive. This is an easy-to-use & safety app, designed to receive large volumes of info & upload them to your Google Drive. Interestingly, the sender doesn't accept to exist a Drive user.

First, sign upwardly or login into the app. (You lot can connect to your Google Drive to exercise it automatically.) Then, click Create an uploader:

Drive Uploader interface

So you'll get a risk to set configurations for your upload like choosing information technology a championship, destination folder, or whether you want to go notifications about the upload:

Create a new uploader

When you save your settings, the app will automatically generate an URL for you. Copy the link & paste it into another tab. The link will give y'all a usual drag'due north'drop opportunity. Upload your files there, add your proper name & electronic mail.

Drang-n-drop your files

The speed might non be skyrocketing. But at to the lowest degree, you'll run across the progress very clearly. Wait for your data in your Google Drive > My Bulldoze > Bulldoze Uploader.

Use Speed Uploader Extension

Speed Uploader is one more app developed by Google for uploading files faster. Information technology works as an extension for your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari). Also, it allows yous to upload data to specific folders directly and complete simultaneous uploads.

Speed Uploader

Once yous set upwards the extension, get to your browser apps. (It'll transfer you lot automatically.) And choose Speed Uploader.

Your side by side stride is to login & qualify. (Just connect to your Google account, as usual.) So, configure all the permissions, and you'll see the upload page. (Information technology might not look actually prissy, simply nosotros target speed, not an impressive user interface.)

Upload files in Speed Uploader

Here you connect the folder where you want your data to upload. (Or create a new one.) And so, start transferring your data – the tool should really speed up your Google Drive uploads.

Test other acceleration software

Actually, your options don't limit to Bulldoze Uploader or Speed Uploader only. There are lots of other tools bachelor on the market. We've covered the near pop ones in our post on Uploading to Google Drive. Merely yous're free to check them up by yourself (and supplement this list with your own variants).

How to get the most of your Google Workspace

In brief, here are a few Google Drive acceleration tools y'all might try to speed upward your uploads:

  • Rclone is a frequent recommendation of Reddit users. This is a command-line programme to manage your files on cloud storage, including syncing & uploading data. Rclone can upload chunks of data simultaneously, and this is how it'll meliorate your upload speed.
  • Backup & Sync is a good addition to your Google Drive to create automated backups. Information technology's a desktop app that connects a folder on your computer to Google Drive. And in one case y'all place files there, they get uploaded to your Google Drive automatically. The tool works in the background too, which will salvage you lots of time in the future.
  • Drive Filestream is another nice app to add together to your Google Workspace account. Its idea is to stream your files to your PC, without really storing them. In other words, you can see your information, only they're not physically present (and don't swallow up your infinite). So no downloads are needed, whatsoever.
  • Pics.io migration services offer you fast uploads between different clouds, including Google Bulldoze. In this fashion, you can transfer your folder construction & metadata as well.
  • Duplicati is another tool for online backups for the most popular services such every bit Google Bulldoze, Amazon S3, or MEGA. The app volition permit you to upload your files quicker and safer. And information technology'southward completely costless of charge.
  • Speedify is a skillful pick for uploads from mobile devices. The app combines your mobile data & WiFi to ensure more stable connectivity. And thus, it gives you a chance to speed up your uploads to Google Drive.

Upload automatically with Pics.io DAM

Uploading files via Pics.io Digital Asset Management is easy and time-efficient. This file manager works on pinnacle of your Google Drive so anything y'all upload in that location volition be mirrored automatically on your Google Drive.

Pics.io file upload

How will DAM speed upward your uploads? Hands! With Pics.io, you tin organize your files and brand them searchable even at the stage of upload. A user can add together metadata, assignees, asset marks, descriptions, custom metadata fields, etc., etc., as well as choose a drove where to upload the info.

Here are a few other ways how DAM tin be useful to you lot next to automating your uploads to Google Drive:

  • Access files instantly thank you to advanced search capabilities
  • Add together and manage all sorts of metadata for your files
  • Work with any scopes, sizes, and formats, regardless of Google Drive file limits
  • Found granular role permissions, contained from those of Google Drive
  • Come across and experience your assets with automatic previews and a visually inspiring layout
  • Interact with your team – tag colleagues under avails and first a discussion
  • Keep revisions of files in 1 place
  • Share and receive tertiary-party materials easily

Wrap upward

Google Drive is a squeamish tool to have in your team's arsenal. This cloud storage is easy-to-use, rich in features, & integrates with many apps. And it'southward definitely over-performs nearly of its competitors.

Despite its perks, Google Bulldoze is far from ideal. And many of its users confront upload issues from time to time. In the post, we've covered 5 tangible solutions of how to make your Google Drive upload faster. Merely don't be lazy to examination each of them to find what works best for you.


Poor file organization is another big problem for Google Drive users. If you lot also cannot access your files easily & are tired of a total mess in your storage, think about adopting Digital Asset Management. Schedule a free demo with us to get more than details.

And in case yous're thinking well-nigh replacing Google Drive, Pics.io has just released its own storage & become an all-in-ane DAM solution. Give information technology a try!