The Error Loading Python DLL error typically occurs when the user tries to open the desktop version of Google Drive or several seconds after starting the syncing procedure. In most cases, the error window points towards a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) named python27.dll.

Fix: Google Drive ‘Error Loading Python DLL’ - 1

Error Loading Python DLL

What’s causing theError Loading Python DLLerror and how to resolve it?

  • Permission issue – As it turns out, it’s possible that the reason causing this particular error message is a permission issue that is preventing the syncing feature of the Backup and Sync application to communicate properly with the Drive servers. If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the issue by modifying the permissions of the Temp folder in a way to ensure that every file present there can be used by the user account that you’re actively using.
  • Backup and Sync version is incompatible with Windows version – Another potential cause that might lead to this scenario is a scenario in which the GoogleDriveSync.exe executable is not actually compatible with the Windows version. This might occur if you’re using an outdated Backup and Sync application. In this case, you can solve the problem by forcing the GoogleDriveSync.exe executable to run in Compatibility mode.
  • Executable is missing admin access – This particular error (as well as general application instability) can also be facilitated due to the fact that the main executable doesn’t have admin access. This will prevent the Google syncing app from maintaining a persistent connection with Google Drive. To fix it, simply modify the Properties of the main executable so that it runs with admin access at every startup.
  • Temp folder contains corrupted drive files – As it turns out, this interruptions during the process of syncing the local data with the Google Drive cloud might cause persistent corrupted files that will essentially break the applications. Several affected users have managed to fix the issue by cleaning the entire content of the temp folder and restarting their computer.
  • Visual C++ 2008 Redist Pack is missing – In several documented cases, this issue appeared due to the fact that an essential Visual C++ pack (2008 SP1 Redist) was missing from your Windows installation. To fix the issue in this case, all you have to do is install the missing redistributable package.
  • Outdated Backup and Sync version – Another potential cause that might be responsible for this particular issue is a severely outdated version of the Backup and Sync application. One potential fix is to uninstall the current version and install the latest version from the official download page.

1. Fix Permissions

As it turns out, one of the most common reasons that will trigger the Error Loading Python DLL error with the desktop version of Google Drive is a permission issue that ends up preventing the application from using certain files stored inside the temp folder.

Several affected users that found themselves in a similar situation have reported that they finally managed to fix the problem after they modified the default permissions of the Temp folder in a way that will include inheritable permissions from the object’s parent.

Here’s a quick guide on how to do this on Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10:

  1. Open Windows Explorer and paste the following address in the navigation bar and hit Enter to get there instantly: %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\
  2. Once you are inside the Local folder, scroll down through the list of folders and locate the Temp folder.
  3. After you manage to locate the correct folder, right-click on it and click on Properties from the context menu. Accessing the Properties settings of the Temp folder
  4. Once you’re inside the Properties screen, click on the Security tab from the ribbon bar at the top.
  5. Inside the Security tab, click on the Advanced the button associated with special permissions. Modifying the permissions of the temp folder
  6. Inside the Advanced Security Settings for Temp , select each entry under Permission entries and click Remove to clear the entire Permission box. Removing each permission entry
  7. Once every permission entry has been deleted, check the box associated with Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object. Next, click Apply to save the changes.
  8. Restart your computer and see if the problem was resolved after the next startup sequence is complete.

In case you’re still seeing the Error Loading Python DLL error even after doing these modifications, move down to the next potential fix below.

2. Run GoogleDriveSync.exe in Compatibility Mode

If you’re only encountering the Error Loading Python DLL error, the moment your Google Drive installation attempts to sync your files, chances are you will be able to fix the problem by forcing the executable to run in compatibility mode with Windows 7.

Most affected users are suggesting that this species occurs with Windows 10 insider builds or builds that aren’t updated with the latest security updates. In any case, the desktop version of Google Drive doesn’t receive the support that it deserves due to the relatively small user base.

Here’s a quick guide on forcing the GoogleDriveSync.exe to run in Compatibility Mode in order to fix the Error Loading Python DLL error:

  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location to reveal the GoogleDriveSync executable: C:\Program Files\Google\Drive
  2. Once you see the executable, right-click on it and choose Properties from the context menu.
  3. Inside the GoogleDriveSync’s properties screen, select the Compatibility tab from the ribbon bar at the top.
  4. After you get to the correct location, check the box associated with Run this program in compatibility mode for and select Windows 7 from the drop-down menu. Forcing the GoogleDriveSync executable to run in compatibility mode
  5. Click Apply to save the changes, then run double-click the executable and see if the issue is no longer occurring. Note: If the operation was successful and you’re no longer encountering the issue, the change should be permanent. This executable is called at every startup, and you just added a compatibility layer to it.

In case the same Error Loading Python DLL error is still occurring even after enforcing this change, move down tot he next potential fix below.

3. Run executable with admin access

As it turns out, this issue can also be facilitated by the fact that the main Google Drive executable ( GoogleDriveSync.exe) is not prevented to run with admin access. This will inevitably create issues and instability since the program requires a persistent connection with Google Drive.

Several affected users that encountered the same issue have confirmed that they managed to fix the issue after forcing the GoogleDriveSync.exe to run with administrator privileges.

Here’s a quick guide on forcing the desktop version of Google Drive to run with admin access:

  1. Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:\Program Files\Google\Drive
  2. Once you arrive at the correct location, right-click on GoogleDriveSync.exe and click on Properties from the newly appeared context menu. Accessing the Properties settings of the Temp folder
  3. Inside the Properties screen of GoogleDriveSync.exe, select the Compatibility tab at the top of the window. Next, move down to the Settings menu and check the box associated with Run this program as an administrator . Running as administrator
  4. Click Apply to save the changes, then restart the desktop version of Google Drive and see if the problem has been resolved. Running as administrator

If the same Error Loading Python DLL error is still occurring, move down to the next method below.

4. Clean the temp folder

This might seem like a crude solution, but we managed to find several user reports confirming that the Error Loading Python DLL error was entirely resolved after they ended up clearing the entire Temp directory.

After doing this and restarting the computer, they confirmed that Google Drive was finally allowed to start up and sync normally. This is evidence that temporary files can interfere with Google Drive’s desktop ability to run normally on Windows 10.

Here’s a quick guide clearing the temp folder on Windows 10 in order to fix the Error Loading Python DLL:

  1. Open File Explorer and paste the following location in the navigation bar and press Enter to get there instantly: %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\
  2. After you manage to get inside the correct location, scroll down through the list of items and double-click on the Temp folder once you manage to locate it.
  3. Once you’re inside the Temp folder, press Ctrl + A to select every item, then right-click and choose Delete to get rid of every temporary file. Deleting the contents of the Temp folder
  4. After the Temp folder has been cleared, restart your computer and see if the issue is resolved at the next system startup by attempting to start Google Drive once again on your Windows computer.

If the same problem is persisting, move down to the next potential fix below.

5. Install Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redist

As it turns out, this particular issue can occur in situations where the desktop version of Google Drive is installed on a machine that doesn’t have the redist package included with Microsoft Visual C++.

As it turns out, several dependencies included with this package are absolutely essential for the application to work. The problem is, the Google Drive installer doesn’t include it and Windows 10 doesn’t have it installed by default.

If this scenario is applicable, you can fix the issue by downloading and installing the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:

  1. Visit this link (here ), select your language and hit Download. Downloading the Redist pack
  2. On the next screen, check the box associated with the system architecture that you’re using. If you’re using a 32-bit version, download vcredist_x86.exe. If you have a 64-bit version, download vcredist_x64.exe instead. Downloading the correct vcredist installer
  3. Wait until the download is complete, then double-click on the installation executable and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Installing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Note: If you’re prompted by the UAC (User Account Control) , click Yes to grant admin access.
  4. Once the operation is complete, restart your computer and see if the issue is fixed.

If the same problem is persisting, move down to the final method below.

6. Install the latest Backup and Sync version

If none of the methods above have allowed you to fix the issue, it’s likely that you’re encountering the problem due to the fact that you’re using an outdated version of Google Drive’s Backup and Sync. As it turns out, this desktop version of Google Drive is notoriously known for its inability to update to the latest version.

Note: If you mistakenly deleted important files, here’s how to recover deleted files from Google drive.

If this scenario is applicable and you haven’t updated the application in a while, here’s a quick guide on uninstalling the current version and then installing the latest build available.

Note: Keep in mind that this operation will not make you lose any data. Your files are still safely tucked away on the cloud.

Here’s what you need to update to the latest Backup and Sync version:

  1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter to open up the Programs and Features menu. Opening Programs and Features
  2. Once you’re inside the Programs and Features menu, scroll down through the list of installed applications and locate the Backup and Sync from Google application .
  3. When you see it, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the newly appeared context menu. Uninstalling the old version of Backup and Sync from Google
  4. Next, click Yes at the confirmation prompt to begin the uninstallation process. Once the operation is complete, restart your computer to flush out the remaining temp files related to this application.
  5. Once the next startup sequence is complete, open your default browser and access this link ( here ). Downloading the newest version of Google Backup and Sync for Windows
  6. Once the download is complete, open the installation executable and follow the prompts to complete the installation before doing another system restart.
  7. After the next startup sequence, retry the operation that was previously causing the Error Loading Python DLL error and see if the problem is now sorted out.

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

The error “ WinRAR Error: Next Volume Is Required ” usually appears when you’re extracting a multi-part RAR archive and WinRAR can’t find (or can’t correctly identify) the next file in the sequence . This often happens when a volume is missing , stored in a different folder , or renamed in a way that breaks the archive’s expected order .

Fix: Google Drive ‘Error Loading Python DLL’ - 2

In this guide, we’ll go over the most reliable fixes confirmed by affected users, along with what each method is doing behind the scenes so you can choose the right one for your situation.

Important: To extract multi-volume archives, you should always start extraction from the first file in the set. This is usually file.part1.rar , or (in older sets) the main .rar file that comes before .r01 , .r02 , and so on.

1. Download and Place the Missing RAR File

WinRAR needs all parts of a multi-volume archive to complete extraction. This error usually appears when one of the volumes in a set like .part2.rar , .r01 , .r02 , .001 , and similar naming formats is missing . Downloading the missing volume and placing it in the same folder as the other parts allows WinRAR to continue extracting normally .

  1. Look at the error message or review the list of archive parts in the folder.
  2. Identify which volume is missing (for example, part2.rar , .r02 , .001 , etc.).
  3. Go back to the website or source where you downloaded the archive.
  4. Locate and download the exact missing file using the same naming format as the others.
  5. Make sure the new file name matches the pattern of the rest. Example: If you have file.part1.rar and file.part3.rar , the missing one must be file.part2.rar .
  6. Move the downloaded missing volume into the same folder as the other archive parts.
  7. Confirm that all parts are in a single folder before extracting.
  8. Right-click the first file in the series (usually part1 or the main .rar file) and select Extract Here or Extract to Folder .
  9. WinRAR should now detect all volumes and continue extraction normally .

2. Manually Browse & Select the Next Volume

Use this method only if the next volume already exists , but WinRAR is failing to detect it automatically. This can happen due to incorrect naming , the file being in a different location , or a temporary file access issue. Manually browsing helps WinRAR locate the correct volume and resume extraction without interruption .

  1. Right-click the first file in the series (usually .rar or part1.rar ) and select Extract Here or Extract to Folder .
  2. When WinRAR cannot find the next volume, it will show the “ Next Volume Is Required ” message.
  3. A small window will appear, allowing you to manually select the next volume .
  4. Use the file explorer window to locate the folder where the other archive parts are saved.
  5. Select the next part based on the naming order (example: select file.part2.rar after file.part1.rar ).
  6. Make sure the selected file matches the naming format of the archive (no extra characters like (1) and no mismatched numbering).
  7. WinRAR will resume extraction using the selected volume .
  8. If additional volumes are missing or stored separately, WinRAR may prompt you again. Repeat the same process until extraction completes.

3. Rename the RAR files in Order

WinRAR relies on a proper naming sequence (such as file.part1.rar , file.part2.rar , file.part3.rar ) to extract multi-volume archives. If a file is named incorrectly, contains extra characters, or is out of order, WinRAR may fail to locate the next volume and show this error. Renaming the files correctly helps WinRAR follow the sequence and extract the archive without interruptions .

Note: Renaming only changes the file name , not the file contents. The goal is to restore the correct sequence so WinRAR can detect the next volume.

  1. Go to the folder where all the RAR files are saved.
  2. Make sure all parts of the archive are present and stored in the same folder .
  3. Check how the parts are currently named . Common patterns include:
file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, file.part3.rar
file.rar, file.r01, file.r02, file.r03
  1. Look for files that don’t match the expected numbering pattern (for example, file.part01.rar , file.part1(1).rar , or unrelated names).
  2. Rename each file so it follows the same order without extra characters or mismatched numbering. Example:
Incorrect: file.part1.rar, file.part3.rar, file.part2(1).rar
Correct: file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, file.part3.rar
  1. Make sure the text before the number is exactly the same for all files.
  2. Only the last part number should change.
  3. Right-click the first file in the series (usually part1.rar or the main .rar file) and select Extract Here .
  4. WinRAR should now recognize the sequence and continue extraction normally .

If you still get the same prompt: the archive set is likely incomplete (a part was never downloaded or was removed), or one of the volumes is corrupt and must be re-downloaded from the original source.