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Mega Transfer Quota Exceeded? Let’s get your file
You are not stuck. See what the error really means, the quick fixes that work, and how to bring your file into FileXL.
- Plain-English answer
- 5 quick fixes
- Import to FileXL
- Phone and PC
Already have a FileXL account? Log in and use Import from Mega in the uploader.
- By IPHow free transfers are counted
- RollingNo midnight reset
- A few hoursCommonly reported wait
- 1 linkOne Mega file at a time
What does “Mega transfer quota exceeded” mean?
It means Mega has paused downloads from your connection because the free transfer allowance for your IP address is used up for now. Mega does not publish an exact figure, and the allowance refills on a rolling basis, commonly reported as a few hours. You can wait, sign in or use the Mega desktop app, try a different network, or ask the sender for a FileXL link instead. Nothing is wrong with the file or your device.
Three things behind the Mega transfer quota
Mega gives every free connection a limited amount of download traffic. The details are not published by Mega, but this is how it behaves for most people.
It follows your IP address
Without a paid plan, Mega counts transfers by the IP address of your connection, not by who you are. That is why the error can appear even if you have never downloaded anything on this device.
It refills on a rolling clock
There is no midnight reset. Data you downloaded drops out of the count after a few hours, so the wait usually starts from the moment you hit the limit.
Shared Wi-Fi uses it up fast
Schools, offices, hostels and mobile networks often share one public IP. Other people on that network can use up the allowance before you even click.
Want it straight from the source? Read Mega’s own transfer quota help page. Figures here come from public guides and can change.
How to fix Mega transfer quota exceeded
Start at the top. Most people are back on track after the first or second step.
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Wait for the quota to refill
The simplest fix. Mega usually shows how long is left in the message. Pausing and resuming the same download does not reset it, so it is better to leave it alone and come back later.
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Sign in to your Mega account
Logged-in users can see their remaining transfer quota in Mega, and paid plans are counted by account rather than by IP, so an upgrade removes the surprise limit.
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Use the MEGA desktop or phone app
The official apps handle the pause for you and carry on automatically when quota returns, which is handy for big files you do not want to babysit.
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Try a different network
Because the allowance follows your IP address, your phone hotspot or another Wi-Fi is a separate counter. Use only networks you are allowed to use and follow Mega's terms.
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Ask for a FileXL link, or import the file
If you are the one sending, share through FileXL and your recipient never meets Mega's quota. If the file is already on Mega, the importer below can copy it into FileXL for you.
Bring the file to FileXL in one paste
Open to everyone, no account neededPaste a Mega file link and FileXL copies the file into your storage. You get a normal FileXL link and short code to open, keep or send, with no extra software to install.
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Copy the Mega file link
Use a single-file link that looks like mega.nz/file/ID#KEY. Folder links are not supported.
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Paste it into Import from Mega
You will find the box in the FileXL uploader on the homepage. Press Import and keep the page open while we fetch the file.
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Get your FileXL link and code
The file becomes a normal FileXL file with a share link and short code that you can open, send or save.
| Who | Largest file | Imports | Daily volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest (no account) | 1 GB | 1 per day | 200 MB |
| Free account | 2 GB | 2 per day | 4 GB |
| Premium | 5 GB | 10 per day | 20 GB |
A day is a rolling 24 hours. Your plan’s own per-file limit still applies if it is lower.
Share big files so nobody hits a quota
Sending a large file to a friend, a client or a class? Share it through FileXL and your recipient just opens a link. No wait, no error message.
No account for your recipient
They open your link or type the short code on the Receive File page. Guests can send up to 5GB without signing up.
Resumable uploads
If your connection drops during a big upload, it picks up where it stopped instead of starting over.
Password and self-destruct
Lock a link with a password or let the file delete itself after one download. Links expire after 3-10 days.
Mega transfer quota questions, answered
What does "Mega transfer quota exceeded" mean?
Mega limits how much a free connection can download in a period. When your IP address has used its allowance, Mega pauses further downloads and shows this message. The file is fine and your device is fine. It just needs the allowance to refill, or a different way to get the file.
How long do I have to wait for the Mega transfer quota to reset?
Mega does not publish exact numbers. Many guides report a rolling window of roughly six hours, and Mega often shows the time left in the error message. Use that countdown if you see one.
Why do I get the transfer quota error when I have not downloaded anything?
The free allowance is tied to your IP address. If you share a network with other people, such as school, office, hostel or mobile data, someone else may have used it. Switching to another network usually shows a fresh counter.
Does a Mega account remove the quota?
Free accounts still have a transfer allowance. Paid Mega plans are counted by account rather than by IP address. Signing in does let you see your remaining quota. Mega's own help page has the current details.
Does pausing and resuming the download help?
No. The quota is a rolling count, so resuming straight away usually hits the same limit again. It is better to wait, or use the official app, which resumes for you when quota returns.
Can FileXL get a file that Mega blocks me from downloading?
FileXL's Mega import copies a file from a public Mega link to your FileXL storage using FileXL's own server connection. It is not a way around Mega's limits: if Mega has limited that server, the import can fail and you can try again later. When it works, you get a normal FileXL link that you can share without Mega's quota getting in the way.
What kind of Mega links can I import?
One file per link, in the form mega.nz/file/ID#KEY. Folder links are not supported, so open the folder on Mega and copy the link of the file you need. File size and daily limits depend on your account type and are shown in the importer.
Is it okay to import any Mega file?
Only import files you have the right to download and share. Files that infringe copyright or break the law are removed, and imported files expire like any other FileXL file.
I am the sender. How do I avoid this problem for my recipients?
Send the file through FileXL. Add it in the uploader on the homepage, then share the link or short code. Your recipient does not need an account.
Your file is closer than it looks
Try the quick fixes, or move the file to FileXL and share it your way.
Import a Mega file now Back to the fixes