Hmm, well it is working now without me doing anything new.
Thanks for the suggestions.
And slightly off topic here - but does anybody here use Google docs while offline? I've read the instructions (there is also a YouTube video out there but my screen doesn't match the video instructions) but I can not create a document while off line. The Google product forums have arguments over whether or not it is even possible, it seems to vary day to day.
I use google docs on my tablet which automatically saves an offline copy. You need to install google docs to get it to work on your pc. I don't know what operating system you're using, but it doesn't work in linux and I'm not sure about OS X.
When you open drive.google.com you should see an option on the left side of your screen, under My drive, starred, trash etc to install google drive. Once installed you should be able to do everything offline.
Honestly, I can't understand the attraction of using GoogleDocs on-line. Or, for that matter, being on-line at every moment of my lifetime. I create a hell of a lot of documents, for business, academic and hobby reasons, all of them without being on-line. When I need to communicate with somebody, I get on line. When I don't, I don't. The problem mentioned in the OP is just one more reason to stay off-line.
caw
I tend to move between four devices. My PC, my tablet and my laptop (standing desk), and even my phone if I'm out and have a few minutes to burn. So it's nice to keep them all in sync.
I also like having an automatic backup because the SA power grid can be unstable at times and I've lost a lot of work to power failures.
If those things aren't an issue, then staying offline can be a more attractive option as it's easy to get sucked into the WWW and waste a few precious writing hours on the top ten most over the top villains in British theater, or a hundred unconventional uses for an egg whisk.