Fix the “You Are Not Signed In” Error in Google Drive

If Google Drive in Chrome says “You are not signed in,” it may not be recognizing your Google account or may be unable to use the browser’s saved sign-in session. These steps help you check the account, restore a working session, and identify whether Chrome settings or an extension is getting in the way.

What You’ll Need

A reliable internet connection and the Chrome browser where the error appears.
Access to the Google account you intend to use, including its password and any required verification method.
If this is a work or school account, access to your organization’s sign-in method or administrator support.

Step-by-Step

Check that you are using the right Google account. Open a new Chrome tab and go to drive.google.com. If Google asks you to sign in, enter the email address for the account that owns or has access to the files, then complete any verification prompt. If you are already signed in, select your profile picture or initial at the top right and check the account address. A different Google account can make Drive appear signed out or show missing files.
Reload Drive after signing in. Return to the Drive tab and reload it. On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl+R; on Mac, press Command+R. If the page still shows the error, close that Drive tab, open a fresh one, and type drive.google.com directly into the address bar. Avoid using an old bookmark if it opens a sign-in or redirect page that is no longer current.
Confirm Chrome can accept cookies. Google uses browser cookies to maintain sign-in. In Chrome, open the three-dot menu, choose Settings, then select Privacy and security and Third-party cookies. Review the setting and any site-specific blocks. If third-party cookies are blocked, add Google Drive or the relevant Google sign-in site to the allowed-sites list if Chrome offers that option. Menu wording can vary by Chrome version. Do not change broader privacy settings unnecessarily; test Drive after allowing only the needed site.
Check the date and time on your device. An incorrect clock can interfere with secure sign-in. Set your computer’s date, time, and time zone to update automatically, then restart Chrome and try Drive again. If you cannot change these settings on a managed device, ask its administrator.
Try an Incognito window. Open Chrome’s three-dot menu and choose New Incognito window, then visit drive.google.com and sign in. If Drive works there, the issue is more likely related to a regular Chrome profile, an extension, or stored site data. Incognito is a test, not a permanent fix; extensions and cookie rules can behave differently in that window.
Temporarily disable extensions that affect pages or sign-in. In a regular Chrome window, open the three-dot menu, choose Extensions, then Manage Extensions. Turn off extensions that block scripts, cookies, ads, or tracking, and reload Drive. Re-enable them one at a time to find the cause. Only install or enable extensions you trust, and avoid turning off security software or protections you rely on.
Clear Google site data if the session appears stuck. First make sure you know your account password and can complete any verification step; clearing data can sign you out of Google sites. In Chrome Settings, go to Privacy and security and open the option for deleting browsing data or managing site data. Prefer removing cookies and cached files for Google sites rather than clearing everything. You can also use Chrome’s site information controls for the Google page to remove its stored data. Restart Chrome, sign in again, and test Drive.
Update and restart Chrome. Open the three-dot menu, choose Help, then About Google Chrome. Let Chrome check for updates and install one if offered. Restart the browser when prompted, then sign in to Drive again. If Chrome is managed by an organization, updates or settings may be controlled by its administrator.
Test another browser profile or browser. If the error persists, try a new Chrome profile or another up-to-date browser. Sign in only to the account you need. If Drive works elsewhere, the original Chrome profile likely has a local setting or stored-data problem. If it fails in multiple browsers, check the account, network, and organization access instead.

Common Mistakes

Signing in to the wrong account: Chrome can be signed in to one account while Drive is open under another. Check the address shown in Drive’s profile menu, not just the browser’s profile.
Clearing all browser data too soon: This can sign you out of other sites and remove useful settings. Try an Incognito test and targeted Google site-data removal first.
Assuming Incognito proves the account is fine: It only shows that a different browser session works. It does not establish why the regular profile failed.
Changing many settings at once: If you change cookie settings, extensions, and site data together, it becomes harder to identify the fix. Test after each change.
Repeatedly entering credentials on an unexpected page: Type drive.google.com yourself and confirm that the sign-in page is a Google page before entering your password.

Tips

Keep a separate Chrome profile for work, school, or personal accounts when switching accounts causes confusion.
Use the Drive profile menu to confirm which account is active before opening shared links.
If a shared file says you lack access rather than that you are signed out, ask the owner to share it with the exact account you are using. Signing in again will not grant access by itself.
On a managed computer, avoid changing organization-wide browser settings. Contact the administrator if sign-in is restricted or settings are locked.

Troubleshooting

Drive works in Incognito but not in your normal window: Disable extensions, then check cookie restrictions and remove only Google-related site data. Restart Chrome and test after each change. If the problem remains, try a fresh Chrome profile before considering a browser reset.

Drive fails in every browser: Confirm the account address, sign in at Google’s account page, and check whether other Google services accept the same account. Try a different network if available; a workplace or school network may restrict access. If it is an organizational account, ask its administrator whether Drive access or sign-in is limited.

You cannot complete sign-in or verification: Use Google’s account recovery process if you cannot access the account. Do not share verification codes or passwords with anyone offering to fix the issue. If your organization manages the account, contact its support team.

The error returns after closing Chrome: Check whether Chrome is set to delete cookies or site data when it closes, and whether a privacy extension is doing the same. Allow the required Google sign-in cookies, then sign in again.

Only one file or shared link fails: Check the active account and ask the file owner to verify sharing permissions. A sign-in message on a link does not always mean the whole Drive session is broken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Google Drive say I am not signed in when I already am?
Drive may be using a different account, or Chrome may be blocking or losing the cookies that keep the session active. Check the account in Drive and test cookies or extensions.

Will clearing cookies delete my Google Drive files?
No. Your files stored in Drive are not deleted by clearing Chrome cookies, but you may be signed out and need to sign in again. Make sure you can access your account first.

Can I use Google Drive in Chrome without signing in?
You can view some public pages without signing in, but private files and most account features require the account that has permission to access them.

Why does Drive work in Incognito but not in a normal Chrome window?
The regular profile may have conflicting extension settings, blocked cookies, or damaged stored site data. Use Incognito to narrow down the cause, then fix the regular profile rather than relying on Incognito.

What if this is a work or school Google account?
Your organization may control account access, browser cookies, or Drive availability. If the steps do not work, contact your administrator and provide the exact error message.

Should I reset Chrome to fix the error?
Try the targeted steps first. A reset can change settings and disable extensions, so use it only if you understand what it changes and have checked that your important browser data is available.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →