Downloading your free printables should be pretty simple, but sometimes issues can come up! In this post we will share some common download errors you might run into and how to resolve them.
We do test all of our download links prior to publishing our posts, but sometimes things don’t go smoothly and this post is here to help you troubleshoot any problems you might have.
1. Unable to Locate Downloaded Files on Your Computer
Every computer and internet browser is different, but in most cases your downloads will go automatically to a folder called Downloads if you are not prompted on where to save them.
If your computer does prompt you for where to save them, you will be able to choose the exact folder and location. Make sure you take a note of that location when the download prompt window appears.
You can also find the location of your download files by checking your browser’s download history log under the settings which will give you the option to view the download location on your computer or to open the folder where you can find the download.
2. Unable to Open Zip Files
Opening .zip files is very easy in most cases – you simply need to double click on it if you are on a Mac or alt-click on Windows and choose “Extract All”.
The extracted files typically will open in a new folder in the same location as the .zip file, but you may want to double check your computer settings to make sure this is what it does!
3. Download incomplete
You shouldn’t run into this issue very often here as most of our free printables are under 10 MB, but sometimes you will run into issues with a download not completing for very large files over 50 MB depending on your internet connection.
If you are downloading via a computer that is using your home high-speed or office internet, you typically won’t run into issues unless other people using the same internet connection as you are also simultaneously downloading or streaming very large files, since the connection is shared between multiple users.
If you have a slower connection, such as in some remote areas where only satellite or dial-up internet is available, it may be more challenging for downloads to complete. If you need any large files broken up into smaller bundles if this is the case for you, simply email us and we will gladly help make it easier for you to download!
If you are on a mobile phone internet connection, downloads may take longer depending on your cell phone service provider and plan, as well as your overall reception. For best results we recommend downloading via a wireless router at your home or business, as mobile phone connections can easily cut out unexpectedly causing the downloads to not complete.
4. The Download won’t open or says I need special software to open
Most of the downloads here at DailyPrintables.com are in PDF, JPG, and PNG format, which means typically they will open without too many issues at all in any type of default application on Mac or Windows PCs.
Some files, such as .PSD (Photoshop), .ai (Adobe Illustrator), .svg (vectors), .indd (In Design Files) and others will require specific software to open. For these, you can either ignore these versions of a file if you don’t have the program to download them, or you can always download free trials of the software from the specific provider.
5. Clicking on the Download Link Does Nothing
Occasionally you will run into an issue where clicking on the download link does absolutely nothing. This happens typically if you’ve been downloading A LOT of files, have a lot of browser windows and tabs open, or haven’t cleared your download history or browser cache.
The easiest way to resolve this issue is to go to your browser settings and clear your cookies, cache, and browser history. Then, restart your browser and come back to the page where you are trying to download the item. Usually this will resolve it.
You will also want to make sure that whatever browser you are running, along with whichever operating system you are using are fully updated to the latest version. These updates are very important to stay on top of as they usually fix common bugs and other problems you might be experiencing.
If you have an issue with one browser, you may also want to try switching to a different one to see if this resolves the issue. For example, if you are having issues with Safari or Google Chrome, you may want to try in Firefox.
Why Does This Happen? This usually happens because internet browsers, like any computer program, require memory to run. Some internet browsers will get bogged down if you are doing a lot at once and they just stop working the way they should. Sometimes it happens because updates are needed.
6. XML Error Messages
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If you get this error message, it means you will likely need to contact us to let us know you are getting the message. It’s a very easy fix on our end and we’ll be able to get those links working for you again in no time!
Why does it happen? This error message simply means we need to adjust the permissions of the file so you are able to access them. There’s a fine delicate balance with complex server configurations to ensure our free download files are not abused by malicious users but still accessible for free for everyone else. Don’t worry – it’s an easy fix!
Error messages don’t happen very often but my hope is that if you do run into any issues with your downloads here at DailyPrintables that we can quickly and easily get them working for you! If you have any questions at all at any time or need help just contact us and we will see how we can help!