Google Drive and Workspace services experienced a widespread outage beginning Wednesday morning, November 12, 2025, affecting millions of users worldwide. The disruption impacted core Google Workspace tools including Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides, causing users to face issues with file access, real-time collaboration, and syncing. The problem originated around 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time and escalated quickly, with thousands reporting access difficulties and SSL protocol errors preventing secure connections.
The outage was significant given Google Workspace’s essential role in daily business operations for millions globally. Users reported intermittent access, error messages like “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR,” and inability to open or download files, which stalled workflows in various sectors. The disruption extended beyond Drive to Google Search and other Workspace apps, as visible from increased outage reports on platforms like Downdetector.
Google’s official Workspace status dashboard eventually acknowledged the issue and confirmed an active investigation by its engineering teams to identify and resolve the cause. Temporary workarounds suggested included rebooting network devices and using mobile apps, though these provided limited relief. As of the last updates, detailed communication from Google on root causes or restoration timelines remained limited, with the company emphasizing ongoing efforts to restore full functionality.
