Fix Google Drive Error 403 User Rate Limit Exceeded (2025)

Updated: 11/29/2025

You try to open, copy, or download a large folder from Google Drive, and instead of your files you get a blank screen or banner saying Error 403 User rate limit exceeded. Other smaller files might still open normally, which makes this error feel random. In reality it means Google Drive is temporarily throttling your account because it has seen too many requests or too much data movement in a short time.

Table of Contents

Method 1: Stop Heavy Activity And Let The Limit Cool Down

After the short break, open a single small file or copy a small subset of items. If that works without Error 403, you know the limit is easing, and you can slowly ramp up activity again instead of returning immediately to huge operations.

Method 2: Use Smart Copy Strategies For Large Shared Folders

If you must move many gigabytes of data, consider doing it during off peak times like late night or early morning in your region. Coupled with batching, this lowers the chance that your account’s activity will collide with global load spikes and trigger 403 errors.

Warning: Avoid using scripts or tools that repeatedly retry failed copy operations in a tight loop, they can turn a short lived limit into a much longer lockout.

Method 3: Optimize API Usage And Permissions For Automated Workloads

For large organizational workflows, consider using appropriately scoped service accounts or multiple projects to distribute load within policy limits. Just be sure you are not trying to evade fair use, and keep usage patterns aligned with Google’s terms.