You’ve probably experienced the dire frustration of waiting for a large file to finish downloading. Imagine waiting for a long time only to receive notification that it failed. In this article, we’ll give you tips to resume download from where they left off. This will save you time and energy by not having to repeat them from scratch.
What happens during a failed download?
Downloading files is one of the most common activities people do on the internet. Anything from photos, documents, PDF files, and applications are downloaded off the internet. The downloading process can take anywhere from a few seconds to hours. This largely depends on the quality of your internet connection. The longer a download process takes, the higher the chance for your internet connection to drop. This will cut off the bandwidth supply to your download. Under these circumstances, you will be left with an unusable file unless the download process is restored.
Failed downloads are triggered by a variety of reasons. This could be an unreliable internet connection, antivirus blocking files, file system errors, or the lack of permission to access the file by the host provider. Some of these issues can be fixed and the download restarted, while some cannot. We’ll discuss some of the most common errors encountered during failed downloads and determine what can be done about them.
Interrupted Downloads Due to Network Errors
If you see a “Download Failed: Network Error” notification, this could mean that your internet connection is slow. It could also indicate that the server is overloaded with requests that result in a timeout. As a result, your download is interrupted. This appears quite obvious. But it is not always the case and there could be other causes to blame for your failed download. Other unwanted software could be blocking the download.
Another potential cause for the network error is defective network adapters. The network adapter is responsible for communicating with other servers. If it’s defective, the servers might not even receive your request for download. For this reason, it’s important to have the latest networking drivers on your computer.
Blocked Downloads Due to System Errors
A “Disk Full” notification indicates that there is not enough space on your hard drive to store the full size of the file. Remember that hard drive capacity is also limited. Having a nearly full, or already full hard drive can slow down the download process.
If you see a “Virus scan failed” or “Download Blocked” notification, it could be an antivirus or another program blocking the download. Sometimes the scanning process of the antivirus interferes with the process of requesting files from the server. Alternatively, the antivirus could have detected malware and is protecting you from it. As a result, the download is halted. If this were the case, you will receive a “Virus detected” notification.
In some cases, the download is nearly complete when the notification appears. This could mean that another program is blocking your Downloads folder. Most web browsers have a temporary location for ongoing downloads. Once the download is complete, the file is transferred to the Downloads folder. If several files have already failed to transfer to your Downloads folder, you might need to change the default download location.
Failed or Forbidden Downloads
Failed downloads that cannot be rescued by manual prompts or settings configuration are called aborted downloads. These refer to downloads that did not load at all due to the lack of permission from the host to access the file or the file is unavailable from the source.
In such cases, the file is available on the site but the server does not permit access. Notification along the lines of “Forbidden” or “Failed-Forbidden” usually appears. It may also appear as “Needs authorization.” In such a case, you will need to contact the server for permission. You could also try looking for another website that hosts the same file.
A “No file” or “File missing” notification means that the file is no longer available. The host website has either already deleted or transferred the file. This could be the case even though a link still appears on the web page. This has nothing to do with your network, the file just isn’t there anymore.
Note that not all websites keep a memory of your incomplete downloads. Some websites are not configured for this purpose. Some simply delete failed downloads. In such cases, you have no choice but to restart the download process.
How to Resume Downloads in Web Browsers
Downloading files is not something you want to do all day. For sure, a failed download must be very disappointing and time consuming to start again. But don’t worry, you don’t have to bend over backward to get the download process going again. We’ve compiled a list of steps to help you jump-start the failed downloads from where it stopped. Complete your unfinished business with your downloads with these easy steps:
How to resume download in Chrome
Google Chrome is the brainchild of the tech giant Google. It is a dynamic and multi-featured software that triggers high expectations. And the web browser has exceeded them all. Google Chrome is known for its speed and ability to synchronize files across devices. And that’s not an opinion. Google Chrome has risen from the ranks to become the most popular web browser in the world. Google Chrome has beaten other browsers in terms of popularity and number of users. This is based on a worldwide study conducted by StatCounter.
Google Chrome has a special feature designed to rescue interrupted downloads as expected. It has a built-in download manager. The software takes note of all active, canceled, failed and completed downloads. Here are the steps to manually resume download for Chrome web browser:
Google Download Manager:
- Open the download manager. To do this, open the main page of your browser. Key in chrome://downloads into the Google Omnibox (aka the address bar) on the upper corner of the main page. Select Enter. Note that the address bar is different from the main search bar.
- Search for the failed download and click on the Resume button.
- Your download should resume from where it left off. The only condition is that it should not fall under any of the premises for an aborted download.
Manual Resume Settings Change:
- Go to the Google home page. On the address bar, type in: chrome://flags. This should lead you to an experimental features page.
- Scroll down and enable the key Enable Download Resumption.
- Go back to the Google address bar and type in chrome://downloads/ and see if you can resume your downloads.
Manual Resume Download for Forbidden Downloads:
- Go to the website where the file is hosted.
- Check if you need to input personal information or sign in with your username and password.
- If there is no sign-in page or authentication process, contact the website or owner of the website. You may also try looking for the same file on other websites.
If the manual resume download doesn’t work, here is another method you can try:
- Go to the WGet downloads page and look for the link appropriate for your operating system. Follow the instructions for installation.
- Open the Downloads Manager by pressing Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+J (macOS). Look for the file and right-click on it to get the source link. Select Copy Link Address.
- Click on the More button on the right side of the browser main page. Select the Open Downloads Folder option.
- Right-click on the file you want to resume the download for, and select Rename.
- Delete the crdownload from the end of the file and click on Enter.
- A notification will appear. This should warn you that the file may become unusable if you change the extension. Click Yes.
- Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS). Navigate to the Downloads folder where the file and the extracted WGet executable is. Type in wget –c <theSourceFilesDownloadWebsite>. Click Enter.
- The file should resume from where it left off in Chrome. Otherwise, the download should automatically start from the beginning. Once the download is completed, you can close all open folders and open the file normally.
How to resume download in Firefox
Firefox is one of the most trusted and most versatile programs on the web browser front. Firefox is the second most popular web browser next to Google Chrome. This is also according to StatCounter. Firefox is comparable to other web browsers when it comes to speed and add-on features.
Firefox Download Manager
- Click the View History, Saved Bookmarks and more button on the upper left corner of the main page. This button looks like a stack of four books. Click on the Download tab to open the Download Manager.
- Look for the file that you want to resume the download process for. Right-click on the file entry and select Resume.
Auto Resume Downloads Extension
Firefox has a built an extension called Auto Resume Downloads. This feature restarts all downloads that have stopped in the middle while running quietly in the background. It regularly checks for incomplete downloads and will, for most cases, be able to resume them. Go to your Firefox main page and navigate to the Auto Resume Downloads extension page. Select +Add to Firefox.
However, there are instances when it can’t resume the download. This will happen when you experience a system error or file access error. This could also happen if your antivirus detects an infected file. Besides this, file download cannot resume when you’ve canceled the instruction to download. Closing the browser window also aborts the process.
How to resume download in Safari
Safari is the built-in web browser for Apple computers, phones and tablets. Also known for its speed and navigability, Safari is a heavy-duty browser. It has a great set of extra features and a capacity for synchronicity with other Apple devices. Notably, it was ranked as the third most popular browser in the world. This is according to the study of StatCounter.
Although Safari doesn’t have an extension for the specific purpose of resuming downloads. However, it does have a download manager to take note of and run downloads automatically. The download manager can take care of the problem with a few clicks. Access the download manager with the following steps:
Safari Download Manager
- Go to the Safari main page. Click on the Show Downloads button from the Safari main toolbar. The button is an arrow with a grey circle. It is located on the upper right side of the browser toolbar.
- Look for the partially downloaded file and click the Refresh button. This is an orange circular arrow button. This should attempt to restart the download process.
- Once the download is completed, look for the file under the Downloads folder of your Mac.
Another way to do this is to open the file manager and look for the partially downloaded file. Right-click on the file and select Open with Safari. This should trigger the automatic resumption of the download. There are more technical ways to resume downloads with Safari. However, the steps are quite technical and would need an article of its own so we will not include it here.
If you want to change the location of the downloaded files on your Mac, click on Safari > Preferences. Click on the General tab and then select the File download location pop-up menu and choose a location.
How to Resume Download in Microsoft Edge
The new Edge browser is a new generation cousin of Internet Explorer. Edge is remarkably faster and more lightweight than the traditional Internet Explorer. It’s also downloadable for both Windows and Mac devices. It ranked fourth on the StatCounter list, trailing behind Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
Most interrupted downloads would have to be restarted on Edge. This is because Edge doesn’t have a built-in Download Manager. However, it recently added the Internet Download Manager, n external software, to its list of supported software to facilitate compatibility. The external download manager can restart the download process. Besides this, it can accommodate both broken and interrupted downloads. Yet, you will need to download the IDM software online to be able to resume downloads made on Edge.
How to Resume Download in PC, Mac and other Devices
Nowadays the most common way to download any software is to download them from the internet. Nearly all applications (both free and paid for) are available on the host website. Tool extensions such as Adobe Suite, VLC Media Player, and antivirus applications are some of the most popular examples.
Resume Download in Windows
Most PCs, whether it be macOS or Windows, rely on an active internet connection to download files. As a general rule, most files can be downloaded through web browsers. These allow for pausing or resuming at any time. Pausing the download process on your web browser is a good habit. This is the easiest way to make sure that the file can resume downloading later.
Windows will generally be able to resume the process. Unfortunately, this would only work for normal downloads and not aborted ones. To pause a download, click on the Pause icon displayed in the notification area. To restart the download, click the Automatic updating icon and select Resume.
Windows allows users to resume Windows updates from where they left off. Unfortunately, the system can only pause the update for seven days (for basic users). Other systems updates will continue to run in the background. Here’s how to resume your Windows updates:
- Go to Settings. Under Update and Security, go to the Windows Update page.
- Scroll down and click on the Pause updates for 7 more days. After clicking this, a Resume updates button should appear on the upper part of the window.
- Click on Resume updates.
Resume Download in Mac Computer
You can download images and other files directly to your MacBook. The default internet browser of Mac is Safari, but you can use other browsers as you wish. A Download status toolbar lets you keep track of your download status. To display the Download status list from the keyboard, press the cmd, Option and L buttons. You could also click on the Download button to display the list. This is located at the upper-right corner of the window.
If you are using Safari, all downloaded files are saved directly to the Downloads folder by default. You have the option to change the default destination of your downloads.
- Click on the Safari Preferences tab.
- Select the General tab and click on Save Downloaded File to.
- From the drop-down menu, select Other. Choose the folder you want to save your files to and click OK.
Resuming Mac Store Downloads
Resume downloads from any application on your Mac store with the following steps:
- Open your Mac, and open the application for which you have an interrupted download.
- On the menu bar at the top of the screen, select Account. Scroll down to Check for Available Downloads at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click on View Account.
- Your downloads should automatically restart.
Automatically Resume Downloads in Mac
An automatic resume is possible using specialized apps. There are several that you can download off of the Mac Store to handle resume download issues for you. These include Folx, Ninja Download Manager, and iNetGet Download Managers. Read on to find out more about download managers. These apps will automatically take over for when your internet connection resumes. The same will start the download from where it left off.
With Folx for example, all you have to do is to click the Resume button and the app will handle the rest. Extra features come with the premium version. In detail, Folx can transfer files to other Apple devices. Also, it can schedule tasks and conduct high-speed downloads. All you need to do is to look for the app in the Store and install it.
How to Resume App Download from Google Play
A sudden drop in internet connection can interrupt your download process. This is especially frustrating for large files. You can remedy this by restarting your mobile data. This way, Google Play will recognize that your internet connection has been restored. This should automatically resume the halted download. Restart your internet connection with the following steps:
- Go to Apps. Scroll down to the Settings toolbar.
- Click on Settings. Scroll down to the Mobile Data (if you’re using mobile data) or Wi-Fi toolbar.
- Turn off the toggle for Mobile Data or Wi-Fi then turn it back on after fifteen to thirty seconds.
If you encounter a “Download Pending” error and appear to be stuck without any progress, clearing the cache might help. The same applies if the download doesn’t restart after repeating the installation process. Here’s how:
- From the Settings app, choose Apps.
- Choose Google Play Store from the list of apps. A new screen will appear.
- Click Force Stop.
- Click Storage and then Clear data.
- At the top right, click on the More toolbar. This icon is represented by three dots.
- Click Uninstall updates to revert to the original version of the Play Store that came with the phone.
- The same instructions apply for the Google Play Services app. However, in this case, you need to select the Clear cache button instead of Clear data.
How to Resume Downloads in iOS
iOS devices are Apple devices that run on the iOS operating system. This operating system is found on the Apple iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone. This operating system has an excellent UI system and the ability to run vast numbers of applications. Also, Apple can automatically pause downloads for in-app and web browser downloads. This prevents the loss of data and ensures the possibility of resuming download. There are a few steps you can take to resume downloads:
Resume Download from App Store
- Open the iTunes Store application.
- On your iPhone or iPod touch, tap on the More button. This is the three dots at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Downloads. This button is three horizontal blue dots.
- On your iPad, select Downloads. You won’t see this toolbar unless there are items available for download.
- You should see a pop-up notification asking for your Apple ID and password. Key in your details.
- Find the download that you want to restart and tap the blue arrow that is pointing downwards.
If the download is interrupted again for any reason, try to download the same file from Apple Music or Apple TV. You can do this through your Mac laptop or on iTunes for Windows on your PC.
If the “Resume Download” notification won’t go away, your storage memory could be full. This can be because of Apple updates or other large downloads. Check the storage space by clicking General Settings. From the drop-down menu, select the iPhone storage toolbar. You’re bound to see a summary of system storage capacity. Checking this is a good idea before attempting to resume download. If there is less than 2GB storage space left, you will need to delete unused applications and files.
Extra Tips to Restart Failed Downloads for Computers and Tablets
The tips we have provided are quite reliable, but not surefire ways to resume downloads. Sometimes you can’t pinpoint the exact cause of the issue. If your downloads don’t resume after all the steps, there are additional steps you can try.
- Make sure that the device is connected to the internet. Of course, downloading is never possible without an internet connection. So you can either refresh your internet connection or use a different Wi-Fi network. Check for any updates for your router and install them.
- Don’t forget to use a proxy server when downloading files online. This is to make sure that your information and location are safe from prying eyes. A proxy server will also reduce the intentional reduction of bandwidth by your internet service provider (ISP). Check out this article on everything you need to know about proxy servers to understand the benefits of a proxy server and how to set one up.
- In some cases, a stable internet connection does not affect your download progress. If this is the case, try restarting your device. Carrying out a forced restart is also possible. To do this, press and hold the Power button and the Home button until the device shuts down and reboots.
- Make sure that your devices are updated with the latest operating system version. For PCs that would be Windows 10 and for Apple computers that would be macOS version 10.
- Check your settings and network connections. Sometimes the error is the result of a network connection issue that needs to be reset.
- Download Manager applications specifically made to handle interrupted downloads. Check out this list of the best internet download manager programs that could assist you. We highly recommend the WGet, Internet Download Accelerator Plus and Folx.
How to Resume Downloads in Gaming Consoles
There might be times when you just feel like playing a game. And so you boot up your gaming console only to find a system update waiting for your permission to run. There’s no telling when a game update would be available, or when you’ll be required to install them. Most games are also downloadable through a disc or an online app store. However, the gaming software needs to be installed onto the console before it can be played. If you are in search of the best, most dynamic PC controller, check out this buying guide for the top PC controllers.
For most consoles, it is possible to play a game while the update is installing in the background. It’s also possible to download updates while the controller is not in use or on standby mode. Unfortunately for those times that you do want to download the update, system errors can show up. If that happens, you’ll need to manually restart the update installation. Note that you’ll need an active internet connection for any of these steps to work.
Resume downloads on Xbox Console
Sometimes installing an entire game can take a while due to the sheer volume of the files that need to be unloaded. The good news is, you don’t have to finish the installation all in one go. The software allows you to play a game before the installation is completed. The Xbox console can pause and resume your downloads and software updates. All actions related to downloads are queued under the May games and apps feature.
Resuming Paused Downloads
The Xbox One downloads and installs files while on standby mode, that is, when you’re not using it to play games. Downloads are automatically paused when the console is turned off. Files are downloaded in the background while your console runs software or game. The steps for resuming installation and pausing installation are quite similar. Here are the steps:
- While on the Home screen, pull the right trigger button and press the green A button. This will open the My games and apps option.
- Scroll the drop-down list and select Queue.
- Highlight the paused download or installation.
- Press the Menu button on your controller. This button is the one with three white, horizontal lines right in the middle of the console.
- Select Resume installation.
Resuming Gaming Updates
Your Xbox One or Xbox Elite requires regular updates for its systems, games, and software. These updates help improve your user experience. They also ensure that all the features on your software are updated for optimal game-play. There are two different levels of updates. There are available system updates and mandatory system updates. Available system updates become mandatory when ignored for a long time. They also appear when you haven’t used your Xbox for some time.
A notification “Cannot process update” means that the update failed. The notification also usually comes with an error status code with multiple numbers. The best way to restart installation is to attempt to re-download. Here’s how:
- Restart your console.
- Once back to the main interface, click on the Guide button. This is the center X button on the controller.
- Go to Settings. Look for and select System Settings.
- Under System Settings, select Network Settings.
- Select Wired Network or the name of your wireless internet network.
- Click on Test Xbox Live Connection.
- Select Yes to re-install the update.
Resume downloads on Nintendo Switch Console
Nintendo Switch allows you to play games while running software or system updates. Unfortunately, some updates fail to install due to an interruption to your internet connection. Here’s how to remedy failed, paused or interrupted downloads:
Resuming Paused Downloads
Resuming installation for Nintendo Switch is just as quick and easy. Of course, restarting downloads is still the responsibility of the Download Manager software. Here’s how to resume downloads that you’ve paused:
- Press the Home button on the console to access the Home menu.
- Select the Download Management toolbar on the far right corner. Scroll down the list of pending and completed downloads to check for the item you paused.
- Tap on the Settings icon at the top of the Download Management toolbar.
- Select Resume Download. Click OK.
Resuming gaming updates
If the download progress does not improve, you will need to prompt the installation. Resume game updates on your Switch console with these steps:
- Sometimes you are playing a game when the notification for failed update shows up. Save your in-game progress before closing the software. This is to make sure that you can go back to where you left off in your gameplay later on. Close the software by clicking on the Home button. Highlight the software title and press the X button.
- From the Home menu, select your specific user name. Under the user page, select User Settings. Scroll down to the Update Download Progress and select it.
- If the issue persists, restart the console and wait for the console to connect online. This should prompt the installation to run again.
For additional information on Nintendo Switch, check out this article on all you need to know about Nintendo Switch.
How to resume download on Nintendo Wii Console
The Wii controller is one of the latest game consoles from Nintendo. It’s rather unique in that it allows for more physical freedom when controlling the game. Thus, it has been considered ideal for both weaponless combat games and sports games. If you’re interested in interactive and dynamic games at zero cost, here are a few ways to download free Wii U and Wii Games.
Resuming Paused Downloads
Resuming installation for the Wii Console is very easy. A built-in Download Manager software is already there to assist you. Here’s how to resume downloads that have been paused or interrupted:
- Double-click on the Wii Download Management icon at the bottom right corner of the Home button or the Wii U Menu.
- Click on the Settings icon.
- Select Resume Download. Click OK.
Uploading Games Via Wii USB Helper
There is free add-on software for the Wii console called USB Loader GX. Once downloaded onto the Wii console, it can serve as a bridge for games downloaded through your PC. Gaming software can be loaded onto the console through a USB or Hard drive. There is no dedicated ability or button to resume the download. Nonetheless, the download should automatically resume when the download is restarted. Make sure not to click the Abort button. This will completely delete the partially uploaded software.
Final Thoughts On Steps To Resume Downloads
Interruptions to file downloads are highly unpredictable. Unfortunately, it would be difficult to anticipate when your internet connection will experience a sudden drop or when your computer will shut down unexpectedly. Besides this, it can be extremely frustrating to lose data or to have to restart a download. Especially if it’s a large file or if you happen to have limited bandwidth.
You don’t have to be an expert to be able to address basic issues such as restarting downloads. Most web browsers come with a built-in Download Manager. So it might not be necessary for you to download an external application. These workarounds will save you time and energy for more important things. With minimal effort, you can restart your downloads from where they left off.
