Why Telegram Downloads Are Stuck at 0 percent on Android (And How to Fix It)

Seeing downloads linger at 0% in Telegram’s Android app can be frustrating. This guide covers the most common reasons for stalled downloads and gives you step-by-step solutions to get your photos, videos, and files downloading again.

Common Causes of Stuck Downloads

Poor or Unstable Internet Connection: Wi-Fi or mobile data interruptions prevent Telegram from fetching files.
Insufficient Storage Permission: Android may block Telegram from writing files to your storage.
Corrupted App Cache: Damaged temporary files can block new downloads.
Full or Read-Only Storage: No free space or SD card issues can halt downloads.
Active VPN or Proxy: Some VPNs or proxies interfere with Telegram’s download servers.
Outdated App Version: Bugs in older versions may cause download failures.

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Verify Your Internet Connection

Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if one works better.
Toggle Airplane Mode on/off to reset network adapters.
Use a speed-test app to confirm stable bandwidth.

2. Grant Storage Permission

Open your device’s Settings > Apps > Telegram.
Tap Permissions, then ensure Storage (or Files and Media) is set to Allowed.

3. Clear Telegram Cache

In Telegram, tap the menu (≡) > Settings > Data and Storage.
Tap Storage Usage, then Clear Telegram Cache.
Restart the app and retry the download.

4. Free Up or Switch Storage

Check available space under Settings > Storage on your device.
If your SD card is read-only or full, move files to internal storage or grant SD access under Settings > Storage > App Access.

5. Disable VPN or Proxy Temporarily

Turn off any VPN or proxy apps you have running.
Retry the download; if it works, switch to a different VPN server or protocol.

6. Update or Reinstall Telegram

Open the Google Play Store, search for Telegram, and tap Update if available.
If problems persist, uninstall Telegram and reinstall the latest version.

Tip: After reinstalling, do not clear your session data unless you’re prepared to log in again.

When to Contact Telegram Support

If you’ve tried all the above and downloads still won’t start, the issue might be on Telegram’s servers or specific to your account. Reach out via Telegram Support for further assistance.

Conclusion

By checking your network, permissions, storage, and app version, you can resolve almost all cases of stuck downloads in Telegram for Android. Follow these quick fixes, and your files will start downloading again in no time!