WhatsApp Not Backing Up to Google Drive? Fixed in 7 Ways

Google Drive is the default WhatsApp cloud backup platform on Android, and fittingly so. The backup process is straightforward, can be automated, and further indicates the sync between Android and Google. As easy as this process can be, there have been complaints that WhatsApp is not backing up to Google Drive, like this user:

If you are also encountering the problem, don’t worry. In this article, we have explained 7 practicable fixes proven to solve the WhatsApp Google Drive backup not working issue. All you need to do is to follow the instructions to the letter. Enjoy!

• Part 1: Why is WhatsApp Not Backing Up to Google Drive

• Part 2: What to Do if WhatsApp is Not Backing Up to Google Drive

• Part 3: Back Up and Restore WhatsApp Without Google Drive

Part 1: Why is WhatsApp Not Backing Up to Google Drive

The causes of WhatsApp backup to Google Drive not working are numerous and can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint. Below are some of the popular ones:

Outdated Google Drive app.

Corrupt WhatsApp data such as cache.

Unstable or weak internet connection.

Inadequate storage space on Google Drive for WhatsApp backup.

Finally, before you start exploring our list of fixes below, it’s suggested to do a few quick checks to make sure Google Drive is linked to your WhatsApp account correctly.

Part 2: What to Do if WhatsApp is Not Backing Up to Google Drive

The solutions to WhatsApp's failure to back up to Google Drive on Android are mostly straightforward. Irrespective of the cause, below are fixes that should restore normalcy to your WhatsApp backup.

1. Check Internet Connection

To back up your WhatsApp data on Google Drive, you must have a strong and stable internet connection. You have the option of backing up data over Wi-Fi or mobile data with Wi-Fi known to be the most effective.

To check if your network is active, try visiting any website on your browser. If the website loads without delay and WhatsApp still is not backing up to Google Drive, you can switch from Wi-Fi as your preferred backup option to mobile data and vice versa. To do this, follow the steps below.

Step 1 Open WhatsApp on an Android device and tap the menu button (three vertical dots).

Step 2 Select the Settings option and Chats from the settings menu shown.

Step 3 Tap on Chats backup and subsequently the Back up over option. Now, select either the “Wi-Fi or Cellular” or “Wi-Fi” option as the case may be.

Lastly, if you don't have access to a Wi-Fi connection or the connection is not stable, you need to ensure that your Google Drive is not set up to transfer files over Wi-Fi only. To do this, open the Google Drive app and tap the menu button (three horizontal lines) at the top left corner. Now, tap on Settings and deactivate the Transfer files only over Wi-Fi option.

You can now restart the backup again and check if WhatsApp Google Drive backup is working now.

2. Update the Google Drive App

Running an outdated Google Drive app might be the only thing causing your WhatsApp messages not to backup. In this case, all you need to do is to update the app following the steps below.

Step 1 Open the Play Store app and tap on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner.

Step 2 Select the Manage apps and device option. Now, tap the Updates available option.

Step 3 Locate the Google Drive app and click on update.

3. Delete the Previous Backup and Try Again

There is a limit to the size of WhatsApp data you can back up on Google Drive. Hence, you might need to delete the previous backup to create a new one if the space available is not enough. Follow the steps below to get this done.

Step 1 Open the Google Drive app on your Android phone and tap the menu button.

Step 2 Choose the Backups option and locate the WhatsApp backup.

Step 3 Tap on the three vertical dots in front of the WhatsApp backup and select the Delete backup option. Now, you can try the backup process again.

4. Clear Cache of WhatsApp on Your Phone

Caches help improve user experience on any software. However, these caches can get corrupt and consequently affect the performance of WhatsApp. To solve this problem, you need to delete caches stored locally on your device.

Step 1 Tap the WhatsApp icon in the app menu for up to 2 seconds and select the App info option from the options displayed.

Step 2 Choose Storage in the settings window displayed. Now, tap on the Clear cache tab.

You can now relaunch the app to see if WhatsApp is still not backing up to Google Drive.

5. Re-sign into WhatsApp Account

In some rare but genuine cases, your device might be having problems connecting to the WhatsApp server, causing WhatsApp backup to Google Drive not working. This problem can only be solved by signing out and re-signing into your WhatsApp account to establish a proper connection with the WhatsApp server.

To prevent data loss, it’s advised to back up your WhatsApp data locally on your phone storage. Then follow the steps below to sign out and re-sign to WhatsApp:

Step 1 Open the Settings app and select the Apps option.

Step 2 Locate WhatsApp and tap on it. From the Window displayed, tap on the Storage option and then tap Clear data.

Step 3 Lastly relaunch WhatsApp and log in with your phone number. Restore your backup from your phone's local storage and try to back it up to Google Drive again.

6. Revoke WhatsApp Access to Google Drive

Sometimes, the problem might be with the Sync between WhatsApp and your Google account. If you have tried all the fixes above and still can't back up WhatsApp to Google Drive, follow the steps below to remove the WhatsApp access to Google Drive.

Step 1 Open the WhatsApp Settings, tap on Accounts and backup > Accounts option and subsequently the Gmail connected to your WhatsApp.

Step 2 From the Window displayed, select the Google Account option. Now, select the Security tab from the menu tabs at the top.

Step 3 Scroll down and choose Manage third-party access.

Step 4 Now click on WhatsApp Messenger and select the REMOVE ACCESS option.

Step 5 Lastly, open WhatsApp, go to settings > Chats > Chats Backup > Google Account. From here, grant WhatsApp access to Google Drive again.

7. Reinstall WhatsApp Messenger

The last fix is a simple one that could often be overlooked. If you have tried all the fixes above and prove abortive, then maybe the problem is down to the WhatsApp app on your device. All you need to do is to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp Messenger. However, it is imperative you back up your data locally on your device to avoid data loss.

Step 1 Follow the quick steps below to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp:

Step 2 Open the Playstore app and search for WhatsApp.

Step 3 Tap on the app and subsequently Uninstall. Wait for the process to complete.

Step 4 Then tap on the Install tab and wait for the process to complete. Now, you can sign into WhatsApp with your phone number and restore the backup you saved locally on your phone.

Part 3: Back Up and Restore WhatsApp Without Google Drive

As effective as a backup platform Google Drive is, it has come well-known shortcomings, including limited free storage space, risk of data leakage, and dependence on strong internet connections.

With all these limitations, it does not hurt to have a reliable and ever-present alternative. WooTechy WhatsMover is that effective software you can rely on for backing up WhatsApp data and restoring it afterward.

It is an easy-to-use program requiring no technical knowledge while boasting one of the friendliest user interfaces.