Google outage: Google Docs down
Tens of millions of Google Docs users in the US and UK tried and failed to get started on their workweek this morning of April 12. While many could open old documents, they couldn't create new ones.
According to Google:
We're investigating reports of an issue with Google Docs. We will provide more information shortly. The affected users are able to access Google Docs, but are seeing error messages, high latency, and/or other unexpected behavior.
Affected users are unable to create new documents.
Another Google report stated that while users were able to access Google Drive, they were also error messages, high latency, and/or other unexpected behavior.
Downdetector reported many users were unable to get to Google Drive starting at 8:11 AM Eastern. Besides Google Docs and Drive, Google Sheets and Slides were also down for the count.
Users commiserated with each other with over 200,000 complaints on Twitter. Many students, back from spring break and facing assignment due dates, were especially miserable.
As of 12:20pm ET, the issue appeared resolved. Google Google Workspace Status Dashboard: "The problem with Google Docs has been resolved. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and continued support. Please rest assured that system reliability is a top priority at Google, and we are making continuous improvements to make our systems better."
[Update 10:40am ET]: From Google Google Workspace Status Dashboard, "Our team is continuing to investigate this issue. We will provide an update by 4/12/21, 12:00 PM with more information about this problem."
[Update 12:20pm ET]: "The problem with Google Docs has been resolved."