Fix common errors while you respond to a Google Form

If you encounter issues when you respond to a form, this article can help you identify and resolve the most common problems.

If you can’t submit a form

If you've completed all the questions on a form but you can’t submit it, there may be several underlying issues.

To troubleshoot, ensure you’ve answered all required questions. Check for any fields highlighted in red with the message “This is a required question,” which indicate that they’re mandatory.

Learn more about common error messages in Forms.

If you can’t click “Next” on a form

If you can’t click the “Next” button to move to the next question or section, it means some required fields are incomplete or some answer validation error is not resolved. To proceed, make sure that every question marked as required is filled out.

Learn more about common error messages in Forms.

If you click “Next” and it loops back to previous sections

In some cases, a form returns to the same question or takes you back to a previous one when you click “Next.” This behavior is often intentional, as form owners can set up forms to loop back to earlier sections based on your answers.

If the behavior seems unusual, contact the form owner or the person who shared the form with you. Learn how to show questions based on answers.

If you can’t upload a file or files

In some forms, owners may require you to upload files. To complete the upload in response to a question, you need to sign in to your Google Account.

For the file upload question, the form owner can set restrictions on the number, type, or size of files.

Tips:

• Check the instructions for any file requirements or limitations in the form. Contact the form owner if you're unable to submit a form due to file requirements or limitations.
• You can’t upload a file from a shared drive.

If you get “Unable to save your draft”

You can still submit your response if you get this error, and all your responses will be recorded. However, if you get this error and close the form before you submit it, you might lose the progress you made.

 

Report a violation

1. At the bottom of the form, click Report Abuse.
2. Select the type of abuse found in the form.
3. Click Submit Abuse Report.

Learn how to report violations in Google Forms.

Contact the form owner

If you have questions about a form or want to send feedback about it, you can contact the form owner or the person who shared it with you directly.

Important: When you send a message, your name and email address are also shared.

1. At the bottom of the form, click Help and feedback Contact form owner.
2. In the pop-up, add the subject and your message.
3. Click OK.
   • You get an "Email sent" pop-up message as confirmation.

Tips:

• After you send the message, the form owner can block you from sending more emails or messages. Learn how to block messages from responders.
• If you can’t find the “Contact form owner” option, the form might be stored in a shared drive. You can contact the form owner outside of Google Forms instead.

Help us improve & find help in the community

• If you still have any questions, you can visit the Google Docs Editors Help Community.
• To report an issue, at the bottom left of the form, click Report a problem to Google. The owner of the form won’t receive this feedback.

Related resources

• How to set rules for your form
• Get permission to open a Google Form