What causes "Proton Drive rclone 'Too Many Recent API Requests'"?

Proton throttles bulk API operations (limits not documented) High concurrency settings in rclone The Proton API isn't officially supported for third-party tools

How do I fix "Proton Drive rclone 'Too Many Recent API Requests'"?

1. Lower concurrency: Run rclone with --transfers=1 --checkers=2 (or --transfers=2 --checkers=4) Don't rely on --tpslimit alone; users report it doesn't change the request rate 2. Update rclone and re-authenticate: Install the latest rclone release Run rclone config reconnect for the Proton Drive remote 3. Avoid rclone mount: Use copy or sync jobs instead of mounting Proton Drive 4. Switch to the Proton Drive CLI: Install Proton's official CLI (Linux, macOS, Windows) Script uploads with it and schedule them with cron or a systemd timer

// troubleshooting guide · proton drive

Proton Drive rclone 'Too Many Recent API Requests'

Status: Ongoing
platforms:: Linux, macOS, Windows
updated:: November 15, 2026
reports:: 3
Method: how we research

RUNBOOK · proton-drive/rclone-too-many-requests4 FIXES

// quick answer

rclone's Proton Drive backend hits Proton's undocumented rate limits, causing 'Too many recent API requests' and syncs that never finish. Lower --transfers and --checkers, avoid mounts, and consider Proton's own Drive CLI for scripted backups.

Most likely fix: Lower concurrency

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

FIX 1Lower concurrency
1. 01Run rclone with --transfers=1 --checkers=2 (or --transfers=2 --checkers=4)
2. 02Don't rely on --tpslimit alone; users report it doesn't change the request rate
Did this fix it?
FIX 2Update rclone and re-authenticate
1. 01Install the latest rclone release
2. 02Run rclone config reconnect for the Proton Drive remote
Did this fix it?
FIX 3Avoid rclone mount
1. 01Use copy or sync jobs instead of mounting Proton Drive
Did this fix it?
FIX 4Switch to the Proton Drive CLI
1. 01Install Proton's official CLI (Linux, macOS, Windows)
2. 02Script uploads with it and schedule them with cron or a systemd timer
Did this fix it?

Symptoms

rclone copy or sync to a Proton Drive remote prints 'Too many recent API requests' warnings after a few minutes, slows to a crawl, or never completes even for a few new files.