# My download fails or the ZIP is incomplete

A file or folder download fails, or the ZIP archive does not finish? What to check and how to download your files another way.

Updated: 2026-10-19  
Source: https://drime.cloud/support/troubleshooting/download-fails

![Right-click menu of Launch plan.pdf, with actions such as Get link, Share, Rename, Move to, File versions and Delete](https://drime.cloud/media/01M590JV38BNWV4BNXQ0X1KZ36/25a880ea79ca-web-drive-context-menu-file.png)

**Symptoms**

- **The archive could not be built. Please try again.** appears.
- **Preparing your archive...** stays on screen and the download never starts.
- The ZIP file is incomplete or cannot be opened.

**Checks**

1. Check your internet connection and the free space on your computer.
2. For a large folder, wait: for large selections, Drime prepares the archive first. **Still preparing - this archive is a big one.** means it is still running.
3. Check you can download the item: with **Can view** access on a shared item, downloading is not allowed.

**How to fix it**

### The archive could not be built

Start the download again.

### The folder is very large

Download it in several parts: select a few subfolders at a time. A prepared archive stays available for 24 hours.

### The ZIP is incomplete

Download it again. If it happens again, download the subfolders separately.

**Still stuck?**

If a download keeps failing, [contact support](https://drime.cloud/support/getting-started/contact-drime-support) with the name and size of the folder and the message you see.