Question downloaded files are invisible in samsung galaxy note 8

[livinlavidaloca]

hello every1,
hoping some1 can help me figure out this weird thing. I've a Samsung galaxy note 8 (stock RoM, no mods ). when ever i download a file (say a pdf, for example), it says, download is complete. when i try to open, it takes me back to download page. when i search for the downloaded file, i don't find it. when i try to re-download the same file, it says, file already exists. i tried with Samsung browser & chrome.
i searched the entire device (internal storage, sd card). searched by file name, searched by file type -- nothing comes up.
I've tried few 'tips' or 'hacks' post googling .. settings --> apps-- > reset app preferences, settings --> show system apps --> clear cache of 'download manager' & 'downloads', file manager --> settings --> show hidden files
i use only the default 'my files' app that came with the device.
this phenomenon started happening only from today (as far as i can tell). earlier, i never had this problem. i don't remember tinkering with any settings on the phone.
android ver -9.0, kernel -- 4.4.153, 1ui ver - 1.0

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Do you have an SD card inserted? If so, did you also search that storage location?

Try also a 3rd party file manager app, like Total Commander.

 

[livinlavidaloca]

hi diddy,
s, searched internal storage + sd card (mentioned in my original post also). file not found. not using any 3rd party file mgr app. (mentioned in my original post too)

 

[mustang7757]

Welcome to AC!
You're not signed into your Google account? I see the play store is not signed in on the screenshot

 

[B. Diddy]

hi diddy,
s, searched internal storage + sd card (mentioned in my original post also). file not found. not using any 3rd party file mgr app. (mentioned in my original post too)

Whoops, sorry I missed the mention of the SD card. But it's still worth trying a 3rd party file manager (that was a suggestion, not a question). Give Total Commander a try -- it's free and ad-free.