Why can you NEVER open Downloads on an Android device?

[Brian Abbott2]

If you download something then go to your downloads either it says download failed or you can never open your downloads.
The short comings of my Android devices and my Google Chromebook are extremely frustrating.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Which phone? I never have difficulty with that, so there's probably something specific going on with your phone. What are you downloading?

Try going to Settings>Apps>All​, select Download Manager, and Clear Cache/Clear Data, then Force Stop. Now try again.