Canvas and Google Drive Authorization Issues

Troubleshooting Guide

Last updated on: September 16, 2025

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The most common issue people experience when using Google Drive in Canvas is an authorization error or authentication failure. This can happen when you are logged into one or more non-ASU Google account. Following the steps in this guide will usually fix authorization issues.

Initial Troubleshooting

1. Signing out of Google Accounts

Remove the potential of Canvas confusing which account you are using.

Go to google.com to verify you are signed out of all Google Accounts. If you are using the Chrome browser, you might see a Sign in button in the upper-right. If you do:
1. Click your Profile circle (top right).
2. Click Sign out.
If you are not using the Chrome browser, you might see a circular profile image or your initial(s):
1. Click the circle to view the accounts that you are logged into.
2. Click the Sign out or Sign out of all accounts button.

2. Starting fresh in your browser

Your browser's existing cookies and cache may interfere with a clean connection between Canvas and Google. Reset or Clear Your Browser's Cache and Cookies. If you continue having authorization issues, proceed with the steps below.

Authenticating Google Drive in Canvas

Authenticating your Google Drive in Canvas is a one-time process that allows you full access to your Google Drive files and content without having to leave the Canvas LMS. This also allows you to limit sharing permissions to people on your course roster without having to edit the file permissions directly. To authenticate your Google Drive in Canvas, follow the steps below.

1. Sign into your ASU Google Account in Chrome

Both FERPA and the ASU Information Security policies require to use your official ASU Google Account for this process as the files will be accessed by students. To ensure you're signed into your ASU google account, go to your MyASU page and select the Google Drive icon (a green, blue, and yellow triangle).

When you are in this Google Drive, you should see the ASU logo in the upper right corner of the page. If you do not see this, you may need to log out of any and all additional Google accounts and try again.

2. Log in to Canvas and access your account settings

From your Canvas dashboard, select the account link, then click on settings.

3. Select Google Drive

Under the section titled "Web Services" select Google Drive., then click authorize.

4. Authorize your ASU Google Account

Make sure the account you choose is your ASURITE USERNAME @asu.edu. If you are logged into multiple accounts, you may see several listed. Because these files will be accessed by students, this is required by both the FERPA law and the Information Security policy at ASU. NOTE: If you do not see your ASURITE account listed, you will need to log out of all accounts and start again at Step 1.

Confirm that you have selected your ASURITE USERNAME @asu.edu account and click allow. DO NOT USE A PERSONAL GOOGLE ACCOUNT.

5. Verify that your ASU Google account was authorized

Check that your ASU gmail is listed under the "Registered Services" column on the settings page. If you see a personal account listed here, you will need to unauthorize the account (see below), log out of all gmail accounts, and start again at Step 1.

Removing Authentication Permissions for Google Drive in Canvas

1. Log in to Canvas and access your account settings

From your Canvas dashboard, select the account link, then click on settings.

2. Remove Google Account from authorized “Web Services”

Under the section titled "Web Services" hover over Google Drive., then click red circle with a white x.

3. Confirm de-authorization

If successful, Google Drive should now appear in the "Other Services"column. To re-authorize google, see the Authorization steps above.

For more information, see the ASU KB article on Google Drive in Canvas. You may also contact the ASU Experience Center for assistance.