Why Isn't Gmail Sending Your Emails?
Here's How to Fix It! [2024] 💥

Updated: November 4, 2024 | by: Martijn Assie, creating websites & shops since 20 years, also Linux-, Wordpress-,
Photoshop- and SEO expert. | NL DE

Hey there! Is Gmail giving you trouble and not sending your emails? It can be super frustrating, but don't worry! We'll walk you through some simple steps to get your emails flying out of your outbox again. Let's dive in and solve this together! 🚀

Why Gmail Might Not Be Sending Your Emails

Gmail is an incredibly popular email service used by millions around the world. However, like any tech, it has its hiccups. Sometimes, your emails might not reach their intended recipients due to various reasons. It could be a temporary glitch with Gmail's servers, an internet connection issue, or something else. Let's explore the solutions!

Index of Solutions

• 1. Check Gmail Server Status
  Quick Solution: Visit the status page to check if Gmail is down.
• 2. Update the Gmail App
  Quick Solution: Update your Gmail app via the Google Play Store or App Store.
• 3. Verify Recipient's Email Address
  Quick Solution: Double-check the recipient's email address for typos or incorrect domains.
• 4. Check Internet Connection
  Quick Solution: Ensure your device is connected to the internet and try restarting your router.
• 5. Update Your Browser
  Quick Solution: Update your browser to the latest version from the settings menu.
• 6. Clear Browser Cache
  Quick Solution: Clear your browser's cache from the privacy settings.
• 7. Check POP and IMAP Settings
  Quick Solution: Ensure your POP and IMAP settings are correctly configured.
• 8. Email Size Limit
  Quick Solution: Compress large files or use Google Drive for attachments.
• 9. Clear Storage
  Quick Solution: Free up storage on your device by deleting unnecessary files and emails.
• 10. Disable Email Forwarding
  Quick Solution: Disable email forwarding in your Gmail settings.
• 11. Turn Off Extensions
  Quick Solution: Disable browser extensions one by one to identify any conflicts with Gmail.
• 12. Check Outbox
  Quick Solution: Check the outbox folder for unsent emails and try resending them.
• 13. Check Security Settings
  Quick Solution: Review and adjust your Gmail security settings if necessary.
• 14. Contact Google Support
  Quick Solution: Visit the Google Help Center and contact support if needed.

1. Check Gmail Server Status

Google's servers can occasionally be down for maintenance or due to unforeseen issues, although this is rare. To check the status of Gmail and other Google Workspace services, visit their Status page. If Gmail has been down recently, it might explain why your email wasn’t sent successfully. The status page will provide real-time information about any outages or issues that might be affecting Gmail.

2. Update the Gmail App

Make sure your Gmail app is up to date. Regular updates fix bugs and improve performance. To update the app:

• Open the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS).
• Search for "Gmail" and check if there's an update available.
• If an update is available, click on "Update" to install the latest version of the app. This can resolve many issues related to sending and receiving emails.

3. Verify Recipient's Email Address

Always double-check the recipient's email address before sending an email. Here’s how:

• Open the email you're trying to send.
• Look at the recipient's email address field and verify each part of the address for accuracy.
• Ensure there are no typos or incorrect domains (like using .net instead of .com).
• Correct any mistakes and try sending the email again.

A small typo or incorrect domain can result in undeliverable emails, so it’s important to verify the address carefully to avoid errors.

4. Check Internet Connection

A slow or unstable internet connection can stop Gmail from sending emails. To check your internet connection:

• Ensure your device is connected to the internet. Check the Wi-Fi or data signal icon on your device.
• If you’re using Wi-Fi, try restarting your router.
• Open a web browser and try visiting a website to see if it loads properly.
• If the internet is slow or unstable, try switching to a different network or contact your internet service provider for assistance.

5. Update Your Browser

Gmail works with various browsers, including Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome. Keeping your browser updated can prevent compatibility issues that might affect Gmail's functionality. To update your browser:

• Open your browser.
• Go to the settings or menu option (often represented by three dots or lines).
• Look for an option like "About" or "Help", which usually contains information about the current version and available updates.
• If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it. Restart your browser after updating and try using Gmail again.

6. Clear Browser Cache

Accumulated cache data in your browser can lead to errors. Regularly clearing your browser's cache can improve performance and reduce issues. Here’s how to clear the cache:

• Open your browser and go to the settings or menu option.
• Find the "Privacy and security" section.
• Select "Clear browsing data" or "Clear cache".
• Choose the time range (select "All time" for a complete clear).
• Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files".
• Click "Clear data" to complete the process. Restart your browser and try using Gmail again.

Follow this guide for detailed instructions for popular browsers.

7. Check POP and IMAP Settings

Ensuring that your POP and IMAP settings are configured correctly is crucial for Gmail to send and receive emails efficiently. Here’s how you can do it:

• Open your Gmail account and go to "Settings" by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner.
• Select "See all settings" from the dropdown menu.
• Navigate to the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab.
• In the "IMAP Access" section, make sure IMAP is enabled. Use the following settings:
  • IMAP server: imap.gmail.com
  • Port: 993
  • Requires SSL: Yes
• In the "POP Download" section, ensure POP is enabled if you use it. Use the following settings:
  • POP server: pop.gmail.com
  • Port: 995
  • Requires SSL: Yes
• For sending emails, configure your SMTP settings:
  • SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com
  • Port: 587 with TLS or 465 with SSL
  • Requires authentication: Yes

8. Email Size Limit

Gmail has a 20MB limit for attachments per email. If you're trying to send large files, here’s what you can do:

• Consider compressing multiple files into a single zip file to reduce their size. You can do this by right-clicking the files, selecting "Send to", and then "Compressed (zipped) folder".
• Alternatively, use Google Drive to send large files. Upload the files to Google Drive, then click the "Insert files using Drive" icon when composing an email. This allows you to share files up to 15GB in size.

9. Clear Storage

If Gmail is unable to send emails, it might be due to insufficient storage on your device. Here's how to free up space:

• Clear drafts and old emails that you no longer need. Go to your Drafts folder, select the drafts you want to delete, and click "Delete".
• Clear browsing data and cache from your browser. Go to your browser’s settings, find the "Privacy and security" section, and select "Clear browsing data".
• Optimize photos and videos by transferring them to cloud storage like Google Photos, and then delete them from your device to free up space.
• Remove unused apps and files. Go through your device’s storage settings and delete apps or files that you don’t use anymore.

10. Disable Email Forwarding

Email forwarding settings can sometimes interfere with your ability to send emails. Here’s how to disable it:

• Open your Gmail account and go to "Settings" by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner.
• Select "See all settings" from the dropdown menu.
• Navigate to the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab.
• In the "Forwarding" section, ensure that forwarding is disabled. If it’s enabled, click "Disable forwarding".
• Click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page.

11. Turn Off Extensions

Browser extensions can sometimes conflict with Gmail, causing issues. To check if this is the problem:

• Open your browser and go to the extensions or add-ons page (usually found in the browser’s settings menu).
• Disable all extensions by toggling them off or clicking "Remove".
• Restart your browser and try sending an email in Gmail again. If it works, enable your extensions one by one to identify the culprit.

12. Check Outbox

Sometimes, emails get stuck in the outbox, preventing them from being sent. To check your outbox:

• Open your Gmail app and tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner.
• Select "Outbox" from the list of folders.
• Look for any unsent emails. If you find any, tap on them and try resending.

13. Check Security Settings

Gmail’s security settings can sometimes be too restrictive, preventing emails from being sent. Here’s how to adjust them:

• Open your Gmail account and go to "Settings" by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner.
• Select "See all settings" from the dropdown menu.
• Navigate to the "Accounts and Import" tab.
• In the "Change account settings" section, check your security settings. Ensure that your security settings are not blocking outgoing emails.
• If you’re unsure, try setting the security level to a less restrictive setting temporarily to see if it resolves the issue. Always ensure your account remains secure.

14. Contact Google Support

If you're still facing issues, it might be time to contact Google Support. Here’s how:

• Go to the Google Help Center.
• Type in your issue in the search bar and explore the troubleshooting articles.
• If you need further assistance, scroll down to find the "Contact Us" option.
• Follow the prompts to either get in touch via chat, email, or phone with a Google support representative.

Conclusion

Experiencing issues with Gmail not sending emails can be frustrating, but by following these steps, you can identify and resolve the problem. From checking server status to clearing cache and verifying settings, these solutions will help get your emails sent successfully. Happy emailing! 😊

FAQs

1. Why are my emails stuck in the outbox?

Emails can get stuck in the outbox due to a poor internet connection or incorrect email settings. Make sure your internet connection is stable and your email settings are correct.

2. How do I check if Gmail servers are down?

You can check the status of Gmail servers by visiting the Google Workspace Status Dashboard. It provides real-time information about the status of Google's services.

3. What should I do if my browser extensions interfere with Gmail?

Try disabling your browser extensions one by one to see if any of them are causing the issue. You can also try using Gmail in incognito mode, which disables extensions by default.

4. How can I ensure my email attachments are within the size limit?

Compress large files into a zip file or use a file-sharing service to send large attachments. Gmail has a 20MB limit for attachments per email.

5. What if I still can’t send emails after trying all these solutions?

If you're still having trouble, contact Google Support for further assistance. They can help diagnose and resolve more complex issues.

Table: Common Solutions for Gmail Sending Issues

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