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Windows 11 Blocking Downloads: Tested Ways to Fix It

Get back to downloading files on your PC using these solutions

8 min. read

Updated onAugust 12, 2024

updated onAugust 12, 2024

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Resolve multiple Windows PC issues and speed up your PC effortlessly with specialized software.

Can’t download anything on Windows? You’re not alone. Many people complain about not being able to download files from the Internet.

The main reasons why your computer isn’t letting you download files are corrupt browser data, insufficient space, faulty system files, or malware. You can find below tested ways to fix the issue, irrespective of the exact cause:

How do I enable downloads on Windows 11?

1. Check if external programs are downloading something

It’s possible that you or someone else using your network is downloading something that’staking all available bandwidth.

For example, if you’redownloadinga significant game on Steam, you probably won’t have enough bandwidth for otherdownloads.

Tocheck if Windows 11 is downloading something in the background, you can open Task Manager or aresource monitor software.

2. Clear browser data

3. Reinstall your browser

4. Make sure you have enough space

You’ll see a breakdown of your storage usage, showing how much space is used and what categories (like Apps, Systems, Documents, etc.) are taking up space.

You can click on each category to see more details and manage your storage.

If you don’t haveenough space on your hard disk, consider deleting some apps you don’t use or clearing temporary and old files.

5. Change download location

You can’t download files on Windows 10 because of issues with the download location. Changing the download location, in this case, should solve the problem.

The procedure slightly varies depending on your browser, but it’s pretty simple on all of them.

6. Check for viruses

We don’t have to tell you thatviruses and malwarecan do nasty things to your computer. But, it can be the reason you can’t download files on Windows 10. Choose the Full Scan or Microsoft Defender Offline scan option for an in-depth can.

As good as the built-in virus scanner is, it is still not as good as dedicated antivirus software. And there is no better antivirus than the award-winningESET NOD32software.

It is a fast and light software that offers total online and offline protection. It uses cutting-edge technology and advanced machine learning to protect your digital life on your PC.

Lastly, with crypto, online shopping, malware, ransomware, and phishing protection, you are sure you have everything you need to protect your PC.

⇒Get ESET NOD32

7. Disable the antivirus

Now, let’s do the total opposite. There’s a chance Windows Defender won’t let you download a file if it is perceived malicious. So, the obvious solution, in this case, is to disable your antivirus solution temporarily.

But be careful. You should do this only if you’re sure the file you’re trying to download is secure. If you’re not sure, it’s better to keep yourantiviruson.

Your antivirus can block your Internet connection, so check outthis helpful guideto find out more.

8. Disable the Firewall

If you still can’t download files on Windows 10, it might be the Windows firewall blocking downloads for some reason. So, you might consider switching it off. But once again, for a short period.

9. Run SFC and DISM scans

Sometimes, your Windows 10 computer won’t download files from the internet because of broken system files. The simplest solution, in this case, is to run the SFC scan.

If you’re havingtrouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, you better look at the guide.

If the SFC scan fails to rectify the can’t download files issue on Windows 10, you can always turn to DISM. This will help to fix the broken and corrupt system files causing the problem.

There is also the possibility thatDISM can fail on Windows 10but don’t worry because we have an expert guide on how to fix it.

10. Reset the Internet Security settings

Downloads should be enabled by default, but there’s a chance something disturbed this setting. We can’t surely tell you the cause, but it won’t hurt to check if the settings are on point.

11. Check the registry

After downloading a specific file, browsers will automatically put it through the antivirus scan with yourantivirusprogram (if you have any).

So, as we were saying before, yourantivirusmay not allow the file to be downloaded, and you’ll run into a problem. The solution, in this case, is to disable the feature that forces yourdownloadsto go through theantivirusscan.

If youcan’t edit your registry, follow the steps inthis dedicated guideand learn how you can do it like a pro.

12. Reset your computer

Resetting your system should be your last resort, but if none of the above helps, it might be the only viable solution.

If theSettings app doesn’t launchon your Windows 10 PC, look at the article to solve the issue.

Ifresetting the PC doesn’t work, don’t worry because we have a great step-by-step guide that can also fix that problem.

13. Don’t use the download manager

There are thousands ofdownload managers for Windowsout there. However, some may interfere with your browser and cause issues with downloading.

Consider removing or disabling your if Windows can’t download files.

Back in the days whenbrowsersweren’t as advanced so you’d need this type of tool. But nowadays, most browser have their built-in download managers that may start acting up if you also have a separate software on your PC.

How do I change my download settings?

Changing download settings on your browser can be done from the browser settings. This guide shows how to change the download location on Chrome.

This is an effective way to solve download issues on your browser. The method is similar to most modern browsers, with just a few differences.

That’s about it. We hope at least one of these solutions helped you resolve the can’t download files problem on Windows 10 and 11.

If you are facing other issues likedownload failed system busy error on Chrome, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

Another issue that can appear is thatdownloaded files aren’t showing on the Desktop, and we have a guide that addresses it.

The comments section is just below if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.

Windows 11 Blocking Downloads: Tested Ways to Fix It#

How do I enable downloads on Windows 11?#

1. Check if external programs are downloading something#

2. Clear browser data#

3. Reinstall your browser#

4. Make sure you have enough space#

5. Change download location#

6. Check for viruses#

7. Disable the antivirus#

8. Disable the Firewall#

9. Run SFC and DISM scans#

10. Reset the Internet Security settings#

11. Check the registry#

12. Reset your computer#

13. Don’t use the download manager#

How do I change my download settings?#