Dealing with an iCloud Drive that seems to be loading forever can be incredibly frustrating. Whether you're trying to access important documents for work or precious family photos, a stuck iCloud Drive can disrupt your entire day. The good news is that this common problem has several effective solutions that you can try right away. In this guide, I'll walk you through six easy ways to fix your iCloud Drive when it's stuck in an endless loading loop.

Why Does iCloud Drive Get Stuck Loading?

Before jumping into the fixes, it's helpful to understand why your iCloud Drive might be stuck in the first place. Several factors can cause this issue:

• Poor internet connection
• iCloud server outages
• Outdated software
• Corrupted cache files
• Account synchronization problems
• Storage space limitations

Now that we know the potential causes, let's dive into the solutions that can get your iCloud Drive working again.

Fix 1: Check Your Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is essential for iCloud Drive to function properly. Since iCloud is a cloud-based service, it requires constant internet access to sync and load your files.

How to Check and Fix Your Internet Connection:

• Try loading a website to confirm your internet is working
• Restart your router and modem
• Move closer to your Wi-Fi router if using wireless
• Switch from Wi-Fi to a cellular connection (or vice versa)
• Try connecting to a different network if possible

If your internet connection is unstable, iCloud Drive might appear to be loading forever as it repeatedly attempts to connect to Apple's servers. Ensuring a strong, stable connection is often the simplest fix for this problem.

Fix 2: Check Apple's System Status

Sometimes the problem isn't on your end at all. Apple's iCloud servers occasionally experience outages or maintenance periods that can cause loading issues for all users.

How to Check Apple's System Status:

• Visit Apple's System Status page at https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/
• Look for the status of "iCloud Drive" specifically
• If there's a yellow or red indicator next to iCloud Drive, Apple is experiencing server issues

If Apple's servers are down, unfortunately, all you can do is wait until they resolve the issue. The good news is that Apple typically fixes server problems quite quickly, usually within a few hours.

Fix 3: Force Quit and Restart iCloud Drive

Sometimes the simplest solution works best. Force quitting the iCloud Drive process and restarting it can clear temporary glitches that cause the endless loading problem.

How to Force Quit iCloud Drive on Mac:

• Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen
• Select "Force Quit"
• Find "Finder" in the list of applications
• Select it and click "Relaunch"

How to Restart iCloud Drive on Windows:

• Open Task Manager (press Ctrl + Alt + Delete)
• Find "iCloud" in the list of processes
• Select it and click "End Task"
• Relaunch iCloud from your Start menu or desktop shortcut

How to Restart iCloud Drive on iPhone/iPad:

• Close the Files app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the home button on older devices)
• Swipe the Files app upward to close it
• Restart your device
• Open the Files app again

This process clears any temporary data that might be causing the loading issue and gives iCloud Drive a fresh start.

Fix 4: Update Your Operating System and iCloud

Outdated software is a common cause of iCloud Drive loading problems. Apple regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve compatibility with their services.

How to Update macOS:

• Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner
• Select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" in newer versions)
• Click "Software Update"
• Install any available updates

How to Update iOS/iPadOS:

• Open Settings
• Go to General
• Tap Software Update
• Download and install any available updates

How to Update iCloud for Windows:

• Open the Microsoft Store
• Click on the three dots in the top-right corner
• Select "Downloads and updates"
• Click "Get updates" and install any available updates for iCloud

After updating your operating system and iCloud software, restart your device to apply all changes properly.

Fix 5: Clear iCloud Drive Cache

Corrupted cache files can cause iCloud Drive to get stuck in a loading loop. Clearing these temporary files often resolves persistent loading issues.

How to Clear iCloud Drive Cache on Mac:

• Quit all applications that might be using iCloud Drive
• Open Finder
• Hold down the Option key while clicking on the "Go" menu
• Select "Library" from the dropdown menu
• Navigate to the Caches folder
• Look for folders containing "iCloud" in their names
• Move these folders to the Trash
• Empty the Trash
• Restart your Mac

How to Clear iCloud Cache on iOS/iPadOS:

• Go to Settings
• Tap on your name at the top
• Select "iCloud"
• Tap "Manage Storage"
• Find and select apps that use iCloud Drive
• Toggle off and then back on the "Documents & Data" option
• Restart your device

How to Clear iCloud Cache on Windows:

• Close the iCloud application
• Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog
• Type %APPDATA%Apple ComputeriCloud and press Enter
• Delete all files in this folder (but not the folder itself)
• Restart your computer
• Open iCloud again

Clearing the cache forces iCloud Drive to rebuild its temporary files, which often resolves loading issues.

Fix 6: Sign Out and Sign Back Into iCloud

If all else fails, signing out of your iCloud account and signing back in can reset connections and fix synchronization issues that cause endless loading.

How to Sign Out and Back Into iCloud on Mac:

• Click the Apple menu
• Select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings")
• Click on your Apple ID
• Select "Overview" in the sidebar
• Click "Sign Out"
• Restart your Mac
• Go back to System Preferences/Settings
• Click "Sign in with your Apple ID"
• Enter your credentials and follow the prompts

How to Sign Out and Back Into iCloud on iOS/iPadOS:

• Open Settings
• Tap on your name at the top
• Scroll down and tap "Sign Out"
• Enter your Apple ID password when prompted
• Decide which data you want to keep a copy of on your device
• Tap "Sign Out" again to confirm
• Restart your device
• Go back to Settings
• Tap "Sign in to your [device]"
• Enter your Apple ID and password
• Follow the prompts to complete the sign-in process

How to Sign Out and Back Into iCloud on Windows:

• Open the iCloud for Windows application
• Click "Sign out"
• Restart your computer
• Open iCloud for Windows again
• Enter your Apple ID and password
• Click "Sign In"

This process essentially gives your iCloud Drive a fresh start by re-establishing all connections to Apple's servers.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips for Persistent iCloud Drive Loading Issues

If you've tried all six main fixes and your iCloud Drive is still loading forever, here are some additional troubleshooting steps you can try:

Check Your Storage Space

If your iCloud storage is full, it can cause loading issues. Here's how to check and manage your storage:

• On Mac: Go to System Preferences/Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage
• On iOS/iPadOS: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage
• On Windows: Open iCloud for Windows > Storage

If you're close to or at your storage limit, consider:

• Deleting unnecessary files
• Moving large files to local storage
• Upgrading your iCloud storage plan

Check for Conflicting Third-Party Apps

Some third-party applications can interfere with iCloud Drive's operation. Try disabling or uninstalling recently added applications, especially those that might interact with your file system or cloud storage.

Reset Network Settings

Network configuration issues can sometimes cause iCloud connectivity problems:

• On iOS/iPadOS: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
• On Mac: Open Network Preferences, click the gear icon, and select "Set Service Order" > "Restore Defaults"
• On Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator and type "netsh winsock reset" then restart your computer

Check for System-Wide Issues

If you're experiencing other problems with your device beyond just iCloud Drive, your system might need more extensive troubleshooting:

• Run built-in diagnostics tools
• Check for malware
• Consider resetting your device to factory settings (as a last resort)

Preventing Future iCloud Drive Loading Issues

Once you've fixed your current iCloud Drive loading problem, take these steps to prevent future issues:

Maintain Regular Software Updates

Keep your operating system and iCloud software up to date at all times. Set up automatic updates if available.

Monitor Your Storage Usage

Regularly check your iCloud storage usage and clean up unnecessary files. Try to keep at least 10-15% of your storage free at all times.

Use Reliable Internet Connections

Whenever possible, use stable, high-speed internet connections when working with iCloud Drive, especially when uploading or downloading large files.

Regularly Restart Your Devices

Get in the habit of restarting your devices weekly to clear temporary files and refresh system processes.

Back Up Important Files Locally

While iCloud Drive is generally reliable, maintaining local backups of your most important files provides an extra layer of security and accessibility.

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

When to Contact Apple Support

If you've tried all the fixes in this guide and your iCloud Drive is still stuck loading forever, it might be time to contact Apple Support. Here's when to reach out:

• You've tried all troubleshooting steps without success
• You suspect your account has been compromised
• You're experiencing data loss
• The problem is affecting multiple devices on the same account
• You're getting specific error messages not covered in this guide

How to Contact Apple Support:

• Visit support.apple.com
• Use the Apple Support app on iOS devices
• Call Apple Support directly
• Visit an Apple Store Genius Bar (make an appointment first)

Be prepared to provide details about your issue, including when it started, which devices are affected, and what troubleshooting steps you've already tried.

Comparison of iCloud Drive Fixes

Fix Method	Difficulty Level	Time Required	Success Rate	Risk Level
Check Internet Connection	Easy	5 minutes	High	None
Check Apple System Status	Very Easy	2 minutes	N/A (informational)	None
Force Quit and Restart	Easy	5 minutes	Medium	None
Update OS and iCloud	Medium	15-30 minutes	High	Low
Clear iCloud Cache	Medium	10 minutes	Medium-High	Low
Sign Out and Sign In	Medium	15 minutes	High	Low (with proper backups)

Conclusion

An iCloud Drive that's stuck loading forever can be a major headache, but with the six fixes outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue quickly. Start with the simplest solutions like checking your internet connection and Apple's system status, then progress to more involved fixes like clearing your cache and signing out of iCloud if needed.

Remember that most iCloud Drive loading problems stem from connectivity issues, outdated software, or account synchronization problems. By systematically addressing each potential cause, you can get your iCloud Drive working properly again without losing any important data.

If all else fails, don't hesitate to reach out to Apple Support for personalized assistance. They can access account-specific information and provide tailored troubleshooting steps for your particular situation.

With a working iCloud Drive, you'll once again have seamless access to all your important files across all your Apple devices, making your digital life much more convenient and productive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will I lose any files if I sign out of iCloud Drive?

No, you shouldn't lose any files when signing out of iCloud Drive if you do it properly. Your files are stored on Apple's servers, and when you sign back in, they will sync back to your device. However, it's always a good idea to back up any critical files before making account changes, just to be safe.

2. How long should iCloud Drive normally take to load?

iCloud Drive should typically load within a few seconds on a good internet connection. Larger files or folders might take longer to display thumbnails or download, but the basic directory structure should appear quickly. If it's taking more than a minute to show any content, something is likely wrong.

3. Can using a VPN cause iCloud Drive loading issues?

Yes, VPNs can sometimes interfere with iCloud Drive's ability to connect to Apple's servers. If you're using a VPN and experiencing loading issues, try temporarily disabling it to see if that resolves the problem. Some VPN services block or throttle cloud storage traffic.

4. Is there a file size limit for iCloud Drive that could cause loading problems?

Yes, iCloud Drive has a file size limit of 50GB per file. If you're trying to upload files larger than this, it could cause loading issues or failures. Additionally, very large files (even under 50GB) might take a long time to upload or download, giving the appearance that iCloud Drive is stuck loading.

5. Does iCloud Drive work differently on Mac versus Windows computers?

Yes, iCloud Drive integration is more native and seamless on Mac computers compared to Windows. On Mac, iCloud Drive is built directly into Finder, while on Windows, it works through a separate application and has some limitations. This means troubleshooting steps might vary slightly between platforms, and Windows users might encounter more frequent sync issues.