Cant download files off my server

So, before reinstalling your browser, make sure to clear the internet cache and data. Here’s how to clear data and cache in Google Chrome (the procedure is similar to other browsers, as well):

1. Click on the (three-dotted) menu
2. Open History
3. Now, choose Clear browsing data
4. Make sure Browsing history, and cache are selected (you can also select other data, for deeper cleaning)
5. Wait for the browser to clear data
6. Verify download location

If you want to clear the auto-fill data as well, check this simple guide to learn how you can easily do it.

3. Reinstall your browser

Now, if you’re still unable to download files from the internet, even after clearing cache and data, maybe it’s time to reinstall your browser. So, go and delete your browser, and download and install it again. Hopefully, you’ll see some changes.

An alternative solution to this is updating your browser. So, head over to your browser‘s settings, and check for the latest version. Or you can try another browser. It’s that simple.

If you want to make sure that you completely remove any leftover files from your browser, you can use an uninstaller. Check out this list with the best uninstaller software available right now.

It’s time to change your browser? Take a look at this list with our best picks.

4. Make sure you have enough space

You can’t download any files if you don’t have where to put them. All jokes aside, you would be surprised to know how many people actually don’t know how much storage space they have left. It happens to me all the time with my phone, to be honest.

So, just check if you have enough storage space for the file you want to download. If you don’t have enough space on your hard disk, consider deleting some apps you don’t use, or clear temporary and old files.

Here’s perhaps the most efficient way to get rid of the old files:

1. Open This PC.
2. Right-click the system partition and open Properties.
3. Choose Disk Cleanup.
4. Check the boxes beside Temporary files.
5. Confirm the selection and clean temporary files.

Can’t delete the temporary files? After following these easy steps, you’ll delete them like a pro.

Problems deleting all your junk files? Follow this guide to solve Disk Cleanup issues and save your drive.

5. Verify download location

If you don’t want to delete anything from your hard disk, the alternative solution is to simply change the download location, and move your downloads to a ‘place’ with enough storage space.

The procedure slightly varies depending on the browser you’re using, but it’s quite simple on all of them. Just go to Settings, find the download location, and change it.

6. Don’t use the download manager

There are literally thousands of download managers out there. But the truth is, you don’t need one!

Back in the days when browsers weren’t as advanced as they are today, maybe this type of software had some value, but today, not so much. Your browser will provide you with every download tool you need, and that should be more than enough.

Using a download manager can only negatively affect your downloads. So, if you have one installed on your computer, go and delete it, and use your browser for downloading files.

7. Check for viruses

We don’t have to tell you that viruses and malware can do all sorts of bad things to your computer.

The problem with downloading files is just one of them. So, open your antivirus (or Windows Defender, if you don’t have any other antivirus solution), and perform a deep scan.

If your computer is infected with some malicious software, the antivirus will remove it, and hopefully, you’ll be able to download files again.

If you don’t have an antivirus, check out this list with the best ones available right now.

To protect your PC when downloading and browsing the internet, we recommend using a good VPN tool. Get now Cyberghost VPN (77% flash sale) and secure yourself. It protects your PC from attacks while browsing, masks your IP address and blocks all unwanted access.

Perform a full system scan directly from Windows Defender. Find out how it’s done right here!

8. Disable antivirus

Now, let’s do the total opposite. There’s a chance your antivirus blocks certain files from downloading. So, the obvious solution, in this case, is to temporarily disable your antivirus solution.

But be careful, you should do this only if you’re one hundred percent positive that the file you’re trying to download is secure. If you’re not sure, maybe it’s a better idea to keep your antivirus on.

Did you know that your antivirus can block the internet connection? Check out this guide to find out more.

9. Disable Firewall

Same goes for Windows’ built-in Firewall. This feature is known for blocking certain features, as well as downloads. So, you might consider switching it off. But once again, for a short period of time.

Here’s how to disable the Windows Firewall:

1. Go to Search, type firewall, and open Windows Firewall
2. Now, click on the Turn Windows Firewall off or on.
3. Go to Turn off Windows Firewall

Your Windows search box is missing? Get it back in just a couple of easy steps.

Want to check if the firewall is blocking a certain port or app? Read this article and find out how you can do it easily.

10. Run SFC scan

Maybe something’s wrong with your system files, and that’s what blocks you from downloading. The simplest solution, in this case, is to run the SFC scan. If you’re not familiar with this tool, it’s Windows’ built-in problem solver that may be useful when

1. Go to Search, type cmd, and open Command Prompt as Administrator (Right-click > Open as Administrator).
2. In the command line type the following command and press Enter:
   • sfc/scannow
3. Wait for the procedure to finish, restart your PC.

If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, then you better take a closer look on this guide.

Scannow command has stopped before the process finished? Don’t worry, we’ve got an easy fix for you.

As we already mentioned, the SFC scan is the first troubleshooting step when you want to check the system files’ integrity. However, if SFC fails, you can always turn to DISM.

Deployment Image Servicing and Management is a great tool that should help you resolve deeper system issues, including (hopefully) problems with downloading files. If you’re unsure how to run DISM, follow these instructions:

1. Right-click on Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. In the command line type the following command:
   • • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
3. The process should scan and resolve possible files corruption and fix related issues.

If it seems that everything is lost when DISM fails on Windows, check out this quick guide and get rid of the worries.

11. Change file type settings

This solution especially applies to Mozilla Firefox. There’s a chance Firefox is set to handle different types of files differently, and therefore block downloading of a certain type.

To resolve this, you should reset the file type settings to default. Here’s how to do that in Mozilla Firefox:

1. Go to Menu (three-striped button), select Help, and go to Troubleshooting information.
2. Under the Application Basics section, click on Open Folder.
3. Click the menu button, and then click Exit.
4. Delete or rename the mimeTypes.rdf file (for example, rename it mimeTypes.rdf.old).
5. Restart Firefox.

12. Reset Internet Security settings

Downloads should be enabled by default, but there’s a chance something disturbed this setting. We can’t surely tell you what’s the cause of that, but it won’t hurt to check if the settings are on point. Here’s exactly what you need to do:

1. Go to Search, type internet options, and open Internet Options
2. Go to the Security tab, click Internet, and go to Custom level…
3. Scroll to Downloads, make sure this option is enabled
4. Save the changes and restart your computer

13. Check registry

Back to your antivirus. After you initiate downloading of a certain file, browsers will automatically put it through the antivirus scan, with your antivirus program (if you have any).

So, as we were saying before, your antivirus may not allow the file to be downloaded, and you’ll run into a problem. The solution, in this case, is to disable the feature that forces your downloads to go through the antivirus scan.

Doing this is not recommended, for safety reasons, so if you determine antivirus scans are not the cause of your problem, turn this feature back on. Here’s exactly what you need to do:

1. Go to Search, type regedit, and open Registry Editor
2. Go to the following path:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
   Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
3. Now, look for the Attachments subkey. If you can’t find it, create one.
4. To create the Attachments subkey, right-click Policies > New > Key > name it Attachments.
5. Now right-click Attachments > New > DWORD (32-bit) > Set Value name as ScanWithAntiVirus and give it a value 1.

If you can’t edit your registry, follow the steps inthis dedicated guidean learn how you can do it like a pro.

Can’t access the Registry Editor? Things aren’t as scary as they seem. Check out this guide and solve the issue quickly.

14. Reset your computer

Resetting your system should be your last resort, but if none of the above helped, it might be the only viable solution. Here’s how to reset your computer:

1. Click Start.
2. Open Settings.
3. Open Update & Security.
4. Choose Recovery.
5. Click Get Started under the Reset this PC.
6. Choose Keep my files.
7. After the procedure is finished, you’ll end up with a fresh copy of Windows

If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, take a look at this article to solve the issue. Also, if you need more info on how to factory reset your PC, read this article and find out everything you need to know.

Disaster strikes and you can’t reset your PC! Fortunately, we’ve got the right solutions for you.

That’s about it. We certainly hope at least one of these solutions helped you resolve the problem files download in Windows. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, the comments section is just below.

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Editor’s Note:This post was originally published in June 2017 and has been since completely revamped and updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.