Email · Repair guide

How to fix Gmail not working or not loading

10 fixes, easiest first4 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Check the Google Workspace Status Dashboard for a Gmail outage. If Gmail is up, open it in a private (incognito) window or another browser; if it works there, clear your cache and cookies and turn off extensions. On a phone, update the Gmail app and restart the phone.

What it means

Gmail not working usually means one of three things: Google is having a rare outage, something in your browser is blocking Gmail, or the Gmail app on your phone has stopped syncing. A full Google storage quota can also stop mail coming in or going out. A few quick checks tell you which it is.

Common causes

  • A browser extension, old cached files or an outdated or unsupported browser
  • A weak or dropped internet connection
  • The Gmail app is out of date or has stopped syncing
  • Google storage (shared by Gmail, Drive and Photos) is full
  • A mail app such as Outlook or Apple Mail that still connects with your plain Google password
  • A rare Gmail service outage
  • A sign-in problem with your Google Account

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Check whether Gmail is downEasy

  1. Open the Google Workspace Status Dashboard in a browser and look at the status shown for Gmail.
  2. If Gmail shows a problem, wait and try again later; nothing on your side will fix it.
  3. If Gmail shows as working, carry on with the fixes below.

Why it helps: Google lists Gmail outages on its official status page, so you can tell in seconds if the problem is on Google's side.

02Check your internet and restartEasy

  1. Restart your computer or phone.
  2. Turn Wi-Fi or mobile data off, then back on.
  3. If Gmail still won't load on Wi-Fi, restart your router.
  4. Try a different network, such as mobile data instead of Wi-Fi. If Gmail works there, contact your internet provider or whoever runs the Wi-Fi.

Why it helps: A dropped or unstable connection is one of the most common reasons Gmail hangs on the loading screen.

03Try a private window or another browserEasy

  1. Open an incognito or private window. In Chrome, select More (three dots) > New Incognito window.
  2. Go to Gmail and sign in. If it works here, the problem is something saved in your normal browser, such as an extension or old files.
  3. Make sure your browser is up to date and is one Gmail supports.
  4. Try a different browser to compare.
  5. Open Gmail on a different computer, tablet or phone. If it works there, the problem is the first device; update its software, since Gmail may not load in browsers on older devices.

Why it helps: Private windows run without your saved files and usually without extensions, so they show quickly whether the browser is the problem.

04Turn off browser extensions one at a timeEasy

  1. In Chrome, select More (three dots) > Extensions > Manage extensions.
  2. Turn off one extension with its switch, then reopen Gmail.
  3. Repeat until Gmail loads. The last extension you turned off is the likely cause.
  4. Remove that extension or leave it off.

Why it helps: Some extensions, such as ad blockers and add-ons that change web pages, can stop Gmail from loading.

05Clear your browser's cache and cookiesEasy

  1. In Chrome, select More (three dots) > Delete browsing data.
  2. Tick Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
  3. Select Delete data.
  4. Reopen Gmail and sign in again. Clearing cookies signs you out of most websites.

Why it helps: Damaged saved files can make Gmail load a blank page or get stuck.

06If the Gmail app isn't working, update it and sync manuallyEasy

  1. Update the Gmail app from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone).
  2. Restart the phone.
  3. Open Gmail and swipe down from the top of the inbox to check for new mail. Syncing can take up to 15 minutes.
  4. Android: in Gmail, tap Menu > Settings, choose your account, and under Data usage make sure Sync Gmail is ticked.
  5. iPhone: open Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it on for Gmail. In Gmail, tap Menu > Settings > Data usage > Sync settings to choose how many days of mail to sync.
  6. Make sure the phone has free storage space, since low phone storage stops Gmail syncing.

Why it helps: An old app version or a sync setting that is switched off stops the Gmail app showing new mail.

07Check your Google storageEasy

  1. Open your Google One storage page to see how much space is used. Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos share the same space.
  2. If it is full, delete emails with large attachments you no longer need.
  3. Empty Trash and Spam in Gmail.
  4. Free up space in Google Drive or Google Photos if they are using most of it.

Why it helps: When your Google storage is full, Gmail can't send or receive messages.

08If Gmail stopped working in another mail app, add it again with Sign in with GoogleMedium

  1. First open Gmail in a web browser. If your mail is there, the problem is the other app's connection to Google.
  2. Update the other mail app to its latest version.
  3. Remove the Gmail account from that app, then add it again, choosing the Google or Sign in with Google option so you sign in on Google's own page.
  4. Google no longer supports apps that ask you to type your Google username and password directly into them, so an app without a Google sign-in option may stop working.
  5. You don't need to turn on IMAP; Google says it is now always on.
  6. Google says app passwords aren't recommended. Only use one if the app has no Google sign-in option and your account has 2-Step Verification turned on.

Why it helps: Older connections that used your plain Google password no longer work, and Google's sign-in option creates a fresh, supported connection.

09If you can't sign in, use Google Account RecoveryEasy

  1. On the Gmail sign-in page, select Forgot password? to start Google's official account recovery.
  2. Answer the questions as well as you can. Wrong guesses don't end the process.
  3. Use a device, browser and location you usually sign in from.
  4. Never give your password or a verification code to anyone. You can't call Google for help signing in, and Google doesn't work with any service that offers account or password recovery, so any such phone number or service is a scam.

Why it helps: Google's own recovery page is the only safe way back into an account you are locked out of.

10If the Android Gmail app still won't sync, clear its storageAdvancedBack up first

  1. Warning: this can erase drafts that haven't synced, your signature, ringtone and other Gmail app settings. Your emails stay in your Google Account.
  2. Open the phone's Settings app and tap Apps > See all apps > Gmail.
  3. Tap Storage & cache > Clear storage. Menu names can vary a little by phone.
  4. Restart the phone and open Gmail. It downloads your mail again.

Why it helps: Google suggests this as a last step when the app's saved data is damaged and nothing else gets it syncing.

Check it's fixed

  • Gmail opens to your inbox in a normal browser window without hanging.
  • Swiping down in the Gmail app shows new mail, and an email you send to yourself arrives.
  • No "Account not synced" message appears in the Gmail app.

When to get help

If Gmail is up on the status page but won't work on any device or network, the problem may be your account; use Google's official account recovery or the Gmail Help Community. For a work or school Gmail account, contact your administrator.

Questions

How do I know if Gmail is down for everyone?

Check the Google Workspace Status Dashboard, which is Google's official status page for Gmail. If it shows no problem, the cause is most likely your browser, app, device or connection.

Why does Gmail work on my phone but not my computer?

Your account is fine, so the problem is the computer's browser. Try a private window, turn off extensions, clear the cache and cookies, or use another supported browser.

Can full storage stop Gmail working?

Yes. Gmail shares storage with Google Drive and Google Photos, and when it is full you can't send or receive email until you free up space.

Is there a Gmail phone number for help?

No. Google says you can't call Google for help signing in, and it doesn't work with any service that claims to offer account or password support. Treat any phone number offering Gmail recovery as a scam, and never share your password or verification codes.

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