Fix Google Error 403: Access Denied (Multiple Accounts)

Updated: 11/29/2025

You click a link to a shared Google Doc or Drive folder, and instead of the file, you get a stark white page: 'Access Denied. You need permission. (Error 403)'. You know you have permission, so what gives? This is the single most common error for users who have multiple Google Accounts (e.g., Personal vs. Work) logged into the same browser. Google gets confused about which user is trying to open the door.

Table of Contents

The 'Default Account' Problem

Google assigns the first account you sign into as 'User 0'. If you try to open a link sent to your 'User 1' email, Google attempts to open it with 'User 0', sees a permission mismatch, and blocks you immediately.

Method 1: Use an Incognito Window (The Test)

Before logging out of everything, verify the issue.

  • Right-click the link that is giving you the error.
  • Select Open Link in Incognito Window.
  • Sign in only with the specific email address that has permission.

If it opens, the issue is definitely an account conflict in your main browser window.

Method 2: The 'Permission Smasher' Link Trick

You can force Google to switch users in the URL bar.

Look at the URL of the error page. You will see /u/0/ near the beginning. Change that 0 to a 1, 2, or 3, and hit Enter.

https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/FILE_ID

This tells Google 'Try opening this with the second logged-in account'. It is a fast workaround for power users.

Method 3: Clear All Google Cookies

If you are stuck in a redirect loop, you must purge the session tokens.

  • Go to chrome://settings/siteData.
  • Search for google.com.
  • Click Remove All Shown.
Warning: This will sign you out of YouTube, Gmail, and Drive. You will need to log in again, but it guarantees a fresh permission handshake.