Data layers in Google Earth: Troubleshooting and FAQ
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This guide provides solutions to common problems you might encounter while using
data layers in your projects.
Data layer not visible on the map
If a data layer is not visible on the map, it may be due to one of the
following:
Check visibility: Verify that visibility
Show feature is selected next to the layer in the left-hand panel.
Adjust opacity: Drag the opacity slider for the layer to the right to
make it more opaque.
Zoom level: Some layers may only be visible at certain zoom levels. Try
zooming in or out.
Geographic coverage: Verify that your current view is within the layer's
data coverage area.
Upgrade status: If it's a premium layer, confirm your Professional or
Professional Advanced plan is active.
Layer unavailable in a project (warning icon)
A warning icon
warning
indicates the layer
is either temporarily unavailable, has been deprecated, or requires an upgrade
to use.
Temporarily unavailable: The publisher is working on the layer. It
should appear automatically when fixed.
Deprecated: The layer is no longer supported. You can delete it from
your project. Look for recommendations in the data catalog for similar data.
Upgrade required: If it's a premium layer, and your trial ended or plan
was canceled, the layer is no longer accessible. Upgrade your plan to regain
access.
Cannot add a layer to a project
Login: Verify you are logged into Earth. The data catalog requires you
to be logged in to add layers.
Map projects: Verify you're working in a map project saved in Google
Drive. Layers are not available in local KML files.
Internet connection: Verify you have a stable internet connection.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-09-04 UTC."],[],[],null,["# Data layers in Google Earth: Troubleshooting and FAQ\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n| This product or feature is Experimental (pre-GA). Pre-GA products and features might have limited support, and changes to pre-GA products and features might not be compatible with other pre-GA versions. Pre-GA Offerings are covered by the [Google\n| Maps Platform Service Specific Terms](https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/terms/maps-service-terms). For more information, see the [launch stage descriptions](/maps/launch-stages).\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nThis guide provides solutions to common problems you might encounter while using\ndata layers in your projects.\n\nData layer not visible on the map\n---------------------------------\n\nIf a data layer is not visible on the map, it may be due to one of the\nfollowing:\n\n- **Check visibility:** Verify that **visibility\n Show feature** is selected next to the layer in the left-hand panel.\n- **Adjust opacity:** Drag the opacity slider for the layer to the right to make it more opaque.\n- **Zoom level:** Some layers may only be visible at certain zoom levels. Try zooming in or out.\n- **Geographic coverage:** Verify that your current view is within the layer's data coverage area.\n- **Upgrade status:** If it's a premium layer, confirm your Professional or Professional Advanced plan is active.\n\nLayer unavailable in a project (warning icon)\n---------------------------------------------\n\nA warning icon warning indicates the layer\nis either temporarily unavailable, has been deprecated, or requires an upgrade\nto use.\n\n- **Temporarily unavailable:** The publisher is working on the layer. It should appear automatically when fixed.\n- **Deprecated:** The layer is no longer supported. You can delete it from your project. Look for recommendations in the data catalog for similar data.\n- **Upgrade required:** If it's a premium layer, and your trial ended or plan was canceled, the layer is no longer accessible. Upgrade your plan to regain access.\n\nCannot add a layer to a project\n-------------------------------\n\n- **Login:** Verify you are logged into Earth. The data catalog requires you to be logged in to add layers.\n- **Map projects:** Verify you're working in a map project saved in Google Drive. Layers are not available in local KML files.\n- **Internet connection:** Verify you have a stable internet connection."]]
