Gmail is one of the most widely used email services, with over 1.5 billion active users. However, even the most reliable services can sometimes encounter issues that prevent emails from sending properly. Here are the most common reasons why Gmail may stop sending emails, along with steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the problems.
Table of Contents
Check Your Internet Connection
One of the most obvious causes of email sending failures is an unstable or disconnected internet connection.
To rule this out:
- Check that you have a strong Wi-Fi or mobile data signal
- Try toggling airplane mode on and off
- Restart your modem and router
- Use an alternate internet source like your phone’s mobile hotspot
If the connection seems fine, move on to other troubleshooting steps.
Clear Your Browser Cache
Over time, cached data in your browser can cause performance issues that interfere with websites and web apps.
To clear the browser cache:
- Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data
- Firefox: Go to Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data
- Safari: Go to Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All
After clearing the cache, restart the browser and reload Gmail to see if sending works properly.
Check Gmail Server Status
Sometimes email issues arise because of temporary problems with Google’s servers. You can check the real-time status at Google Workspace Status Dashboard.
Look for any service disruptions related to sending mail from Gmail. If the servers seem up and running, the problem likely lies elsewhere.
Update Your Email Client
If you access Gmail through an email program like Outlook or Thunderbird, an outdated version could cause sending failures.
Ensure you have the latest version of your email client installed. On Windows, this usually happens automatically. On Mac, open the App Store updates tab to check.
Re-add Your Gmail Account
As a last resort, unlink your Gmail account from your email program or device and set it up again from scratch:
- Sign out of Gmail
- Delete the account from your settings
- Close and reopen the program
- Re-add your Gmail account by entering your full email address and password
This will reset all data related to the account and often resolves persistent issues.
Check Your Gmail Settings
Log directly into Gmail on the web interface by going to mail.google.com. Then go to Settings (gear icon) > See All Settings:
- Forwarding: Check that forwarding to another address is not enabled. Disable any forwarding.
- IMAP/POP: Ensure IMAP access is enabled for syncing across devices. Make sure POP download is not enabled.
- Send mail as: Make sure your default “send mail as” address is your actual Gmail address.
Adjust any incorrect settings that could interfere with sending mail.
Contact Gmail Support
If you still can’t resolve the issue after trying all troubleshooting steps, reach out to Google support. Be prepared to provide:
- Detailed description of the issue
- Timeline of when issue started occurring
- Screenshots of any error messages
Google can investigate based on server-side data not available to users.
Use an Alternate Service
As a workaround, consider using another email service to send important messages until your Gmail works again. Popular alternatives include Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and ProtonMail. Just be sure to check spam folders.
With some targeted troubleshooting, you should be able to get Gmail sending emails again quickly. But if problems persist over an extended time, you may need to involve Gmail tech support to identify and correct the underlying issue.
