I'm trying to download data, but I'm not getting any data files. Why can't I download data?

There are a number of problems that can pop up when you attempt to download data:

1. You download a zipped file, but you don't get any data files, just the documentation.

This means that we can't tell that you're part of a member institution, and the data you're attempting to download is only available to member institutions.

This happens in four situations:

  1. When you're trying to download data remotely, but haven't downloaded from an approved IP range (such as on campus) in the last six months
  2. When you're accessing ICPSR through a proxy server with incorrect or outdated settings
  3. ICPSR simply doesn't have the current, complete IP range for your campus, or
  4. The data that you are attempting to download are restricted from general dissemination (i.e., the data contain sensitive information and additional information is needed)

If you're downloading from remotely (such as from your home), read the information below on off-campus access.

If you're using a proxy server, please open a new private or "incognito" browser window and enter icpsr.umich.edu into the URL. You'll know you're at a proxy address if the URL looks like "http://www.myschool.edu.0-icpsr.umich.edu/" or similar. 

2. You type in your login and password and get a message that you have successfully logged in, but are then sent back to the login screen.

This generally means a proxy server is not connecting properly. In this situation, you will need to talk to your Official Representative or your local IT/networking staff.

If you're using a proxy server, please open a new private or "incognito" browser window and enter icpsr.umich.edu into the URL. You'll know you're at a proxy address if the URL looks like "http://www.myschool.edu.0-icpsr.umich.edu/" or similar. 

Please note that it is not necessary to use a proxy server to access ICPSR data, and in many cases using a proxy server will interfere with downloads.

3. You get a message that states, "You have successfully authenticated but you are not authorized to access the requested document."

Some sections of our website are only available to specific users. For example, some functions on the Official Representative (OR) page are only available to users whose MyData account has been identified as an OR account, or you may have attempted to access an online analysis utility that is only available to member institutions.

If you believe you have reached this message in error, please e-mail icpsr-help@umich.edu. Please include the URL of the page in question.

4. You get an error message stating "...[your file] could not be saved, because the source file could not be read. Try again later, or contact the server administrator."

This is an error that relates to Firefox/Mozilla. Please consult their documentation.

 

Downloading Data from Off-Campus

If your institution's Official Representative has provided us with the IP ranges for your institution, you can access data from home. You'll first have to login to the ICPSR website from on campus or from an approved IP range (such as a VPN). Once you do so, your MyData account is validated for off campus downloads for the next six months. Every time you log in to the ICPSR website from on campus, that is extended another six months. 

 

Support

In the event that you cannot get on campus (for example, you're on sabbatical or studying remotely), please contact ICPSR-help@umich.edu. We'll check with your Official Representative and then manually validate your account. You may also find contact information for your local Representatives in the ICPSR Member List.

Representatives, please contact ICPSR-help@umich.edu to update your institution's IP information.