Revit: Error message corrupt data.

[franssoafourie]

Hallo

I get an error message: corrupt data when attempting to open a non work shared revit file from g-drive, but my college can open the same file?

One day i would on the file save and close as normal, the next day the message apears without any work being done in between?

Franssoa

[RDAOU]

@franssoafourie 

What/Where is G-Drive

• Did you try to audit it?
• Did you try close Revit and clear %TEMP%
• is it a workshared model? Did you try to delete the local and create a new one from the central?
• Close ALL Autodesk software, then, in the  %LocalAppData%  rename the folder Autodesk,_Inc to Autodesk,_Inc-OLD
• In the folder  %LocalAppData%\Autodesk\Revit\PacCache\  delete ONLY the folders with long names.
• In the folder  %LocalAppData%\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2025\  delete folder CefCache and RENAME CollaborationCache TO CollaborationCache-OLD

More info on your workshared environment might help narrow down the cause and help in finding a solution better

[franssoafourie]

Hi RDAOU

We use google drive as a server where our office working files are located.

We do not use worksharing, as we never work on projects simultaneously. 

There are a few links in the file, both rvt and dwg formats, located in the same main Project folder, but under a different subfolder.

Its been working very well for a few years but lately i have the problem where suddenly i can't open a file (even though i was able to the previous day) but my college can open it.

I get a variety of messages but the corrupt data one occurs most frequently. 

I've tried:

- open with audit checked on, no luck

- saving to my desktop, no luck same message

- clearing out the temp folder, same message

it started while i was using revit 2025, i've since gone to 2026 but same still happens.

After my college opens it, audit it and save it i can then open some of them again but not all.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[RDAOU · Accepted solution]

@franssoafourie 

If you’re getting a “data is corrupt” error when opening Revit files from your synced Google Drive folder, but your colleague can open the same files without issues, the problem is likely related to file syncing or corruption during download on your end. Likely Causes

1. Partial Sync or Incomplete File Download
2. File locking or conflicts during sync
3. Google Drive for Desktop issues (formerly Backup and Sync)
4. Local Revit cache corruption

i cannot say for sure if the following will fix the problem but here is a couple of things which might help you troubleshoot / fix it:

Revit version and build number: make sure you and your colleague are using the same build number 

Check File Size:

Compare the file size on your computer vs. your colleague’s:

• Right-click the file > Properties.
• Make sure your version matches exactly.

If your file is smaller, it might not have fully synced.

Re-download the File Manually:

Try downloading a fresh copy of the file:

• Go to Google Drive on the web.
• Right-click the Revit file > Download.
• Save it somewhere outside the synced folder (e.g., Desktop).
• Open that version in Revit.

Check the version of the Google Drive client u are using and if it is the same as your friend

Clear and Resync Google Drive Folder: 

If your local Google Drive sync is glitchy:

• Quit Google Drive from the system tray/menu bar.
• Rename the local synced folder (e.g., Google Drive → Google Drive_backup).
• Restart Google Drive – it will re-sync the folder cleanly.
• Once synced, try opening the file again.

You might also want to consider  using Google Drive’s “Stream files” option instead of “Mirror files” to avoid large local copies and sync issues.

Check Revit Temp and Journal Files. 

Sometimes Revit cache or journal files cause issues.

• Navigate to:
  C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Revit\<RevitVersion>\Journals
• Delete all files in the Journals folder.
• Also clear %localappdata%\Temp\ (especially files starting with Revit).

Then try reopening the file.

Re-Audit the File: 

Ask your colleague (since they can open it) to open, audit and re-save on google drive before u download or sync

PS:

• Revit files are not ideal for sync tools like Google Drive. They are large, binary, and sensitive to version control. Google Drive can silently corrupt them if syncing during save.
• It is recommended to Use Revit Server, Autodesk BIM 360, or Autodesk Docs for multi-user workflows.

[mari.shimode]

Hi @franssoafourie, did the information provided answer your question? If so, please use Accept Solution so that others may find this in the future. Thank you very much!

[mari.shimode]

Hi @franssoafourie, I think @RDAOU's reply is useful to the community so I have marked it as an accepted solution so others who have the same question can refer to it.

If you're still having the issue or have any other questions related to what you originally asked, please create a new topic with a link to this post included so the community can follow the conversation easily. Thank you.