Why is Gmail Not Working? Find Causes & Quick Fixes

When Gmail not working error occurs, it cuts off communication, productivity, and everything else important for you to complete. This can lead to many of us searching for answers as to why Google mail is not working, or searching to find out if there is any way to fix it.

The main reason that Gmail may be having a problem is that there is an issue with the way it is connecting to your browser, device, network, or account. Many users continue to have issues with Gmail because they will try random things in attempting to fix it without knowing the cause of the problem. The end result will be further problems with emails being delayed, and even a loss of some email data between attempts to fix issues.

This article will walk you through finding the root cause of why your Gmail isn’t working as it should based on your situation, and explain the steps you should take next with confidence and without further troubleshooting.

Also Read: Gmail Something Went Wrong

Why is Gmail Not Working?

Gmail is a cloud-based email service and requires multiple systems to function correctly. A failure or conflict with any of these systems can cause issues that are typically called Gmail not working or Google Mail not working.

Gmail is dependent on:

• Web browser and Gmail app.
• Device’s operating system and background services.
• Internet connections, VPNs and firewalls.
• Account sync permissions and filters.
• Google servers and regional infrastructure.
• Check if there is Gmail 400 error.

As a result of this chain of dependencies, Gmail does not work the same way for everyone. Therefore, it is more effective to identify the source of your problem than use a generic solution.

Identify the Type of Gmail Problem You’re Facing

To determine why you are having issues using Gmail, we should start by identifying what type of problem you are experiencing. Most Gmail problems can be categorized into one of the following categories:

Cause 1: Gmail Server-Side Issues

Gmail is not functioning properly due to server-side problems at Google.

Signs that indicate you have a server-side problem:

• Gmail not working on more than one device
• Gmail not working regardless of which browser or app you use
• Others reporting similar issues or problems

In situations like this, usually local troubleshooting will not fix the issue quickly.

Cause 2: Browser-Related Gmail Issues

If you find that your Gmail works on one device but not on another, the browser may be the problem.

Some examples of this may include:

• Gmail won’t load in your browser.
• Your inbox opens, but your messages will not load.

Some users contact customer support and say that their account is working fine through their mobile device; however, they are not being able to access their account on their desktop computer.

Cause 3: Gmail App Not Working on Mobile Devices

Many mobile users have indicated that their Gmail app is not working, especially after an update to either the Gmail app or the mobile operating system.

The most common problems experienced are:

• Gmail email does not work on mobile devices.
• New messages not syncing to the inbox.
• App gets stuck or crashed.

Most times these issues are device-related, rather than related to your account.

Cause 4: Gmail Not Working on an iPhone

When your Gmail is not working on an iPhone, then there are common indicators when trying to troubleshoot.

• The gmail app opens but does not have new messages.
• New messages arrive late or not at all.
• Notifications are either not showing or stopped showing.

Most likely, the issue has to do with either your iOS background app activity limits, and/or app permissions; or possibly your Network activity rather than gmail servers.

Fix 5: Network, VPN, or Firewall Restrictions

If Gmail works with mobile data but not as a secured (Wi-Fi) connection, it may be related to your Network.

Common Signs:

• Gmail is not working on Public Networks or your Office Network.
• If your Gmail application does not work with VPN connected.
• If your email cannot be sent on specific devices.

Users often think that Google Mail is broken when in actuality the trouble is due to filtering at the network layer.

Fix 6: Account-Level Gmail Issues

There are times that the Gmail application appears to load but there is inconsistent behaviour of email.

Here are some of the things you may experience:

• Unable to send or receive email.
• Missing or delayed emails.
• You have one device that has sync functionality and another device that does not.

Many times, users who are asking ‘why is my Gmail not working’ are actually experiencing these types of issues with their Gmail accounts, even though the Gmail application appears to be functioning correctly.

Gmail Symptoms and their Most Likely Causes

Safe Actions vs Risky Actions When Gmail Does Not Work

Knowing what you should and should not do when Gmail isn’t functioning properly is just as vital.

Safe Actions

• Make sure you have backed up all your data before trying any fixes.
• Use another device to check Gmail
• Switch your internet source (WiFi, cellular, etc)
• Find out if other people also have problems accessing Gmail.
• Check permissions for accessing your account.

High Risk Troubleshooting Steps

• Remove and recreate your Gmail account
• Attempt a forced sync
• Clear the app or browser data
• Reinstall the Gmail app too soon

When Gmail Problems Become a Bigger Risk

Bigger risks come from repeated Occasional disruptions. When Gmail problems occur on an ongoing basis, they can lead to long-term consequences like these:

• Missed/delayed email
• Not completely sync’d across devices
• Temporary loss of access to important communication
• Over-reliance on a single cloud mailbox

At this point, many users will create an independent copy of the important Gmail emails they have. A good Gmail Backup Tool will make it easy for you to keep backups of your “data” without affecting the normal operation of Gmail whenever there is a sync failure, a problem with your account or an outage.

This is not a solution for Gmail problems, but is a preventive measure to ensure that you continue to have access to your emails.

What to Do After You Identify Why Gmail is Not Working

After you have come up with a reason for your Gmail account not functioning, you should choose a solution based on the actual problem.

• If your browser is the issue: look for help specifically for your browser.
• If your Gmail app is the issue: check your device and operating system.
• When sending/receiving problems exist, you will need to check your account and network.
• Selecting the right solution will help eliminate these issues forever.

Conclusion

Your experience of how Gmail works to provide you with the tools you need comes down to why it does or does not work for your particular situation. When you understand why your Gmail does not work for you specifically, it will help you reach a resolution more quickly, safely and reliably than it would simply guessing your way through.

The way you determine whether your Gmail issue occurs due to the Gmail app, browser, iPhone settings, network restrictions, account settings or Google server will prevent having to “guess” each time something goes wrong.

In addition, if you experience repeated interruptions to Gmail service, proper diagnosis combined with preventive measures (like backing up your important email) will allow you to maintain your Gmail or Google Mail availability as normal.