15 Proven Solutions to Fix Email Not Syncing on Android Devices

We all know the frustration of expecting an important email only to find out that it's not syncing on our Android devices. This not only adds to our frustration but also hampers our productivity. To help you resolve this issue, we have compiled a list of 15 proven solutions to fix the problem of email syncing failure on Android phones.

1. Check Internet Connection

Sometimes, even when your internet is working properly, you might still face issues with email syncing. In such cases, you can try restarting your router or enabling and disabling airplane mode on your phone. Also, make sure you're not connected to any public Wi-Fi network, as they often provide slow or unstable internet connection. If that's the case, switch to your cellular data and see if your email starts syncing on your Android phone.

2. Enable Background Data for Email Client

Ensure that your email client can access the internet in the background. To do this:

  1. Open the Android Settings and go to the Apps section.
  2. Select the Email app.
  3. Go to Mobile data and make sure both Allow background data usage and Allow data usage while Data saver is on are enabled.

3. Disable VPN

If there is no issue with your internet connection, check if the VPN could be the reason why your email won't sync. Try disabling it to see if it is the actual culprit.

4. Restart Android Device

If there are no network-related issues, consider restarting your Android phone. Sometimes, an underlying OS issue or app conflict can cause email syncing problems. Restarting your device may restore regular email functionality.

5. Ensure Automatic Email Sync Is Enabled

There's a possibility that you might have accidentally disabled the email sync functionality on your Android. To check and enable it:

  1. Open any email app of your choice, such as Gmail.
  2. Tap on the hamburger menu and select Settings.
  3. Choose your email account and scroll to the bottom to confirm that Sync Gmail is enabled.

6. Manually Sync Email

If automatic sync is not working, try manually syncing your email to check if the issue lies with the email provider or just your email app:

  1. Open the Settings app and go to Accounts and backup.
  2. Select Manage accounts.
  3. Choose your email account and select the Sync account option.
  4. Tap the kebab menu (three dots icon) and hit the Sync now button.

7. Stop Using 3rd Party Email Apps

While third-party email apps may have nifty features, they often lack the versatility compared to native email apps like Gmail or Outlook. In most cases, emails may take longer to sync or not be received at all. We recommend using the official app of the email service you're using for a seamless experience.

8. Free Up RAM and Storage

Insufficient RAM and storage on your Android phone can also cause email syncing issues. If your device is loaded with numerous apps and files, there may be limited system resources available for the email client to download new emails. Additionally, large attachments can also prevent emails from being received due to limited storage space. Remove unnecessary apps and files from your phone to free up storage capacity.

9. Allow App to Run in the Background

Some third-party apps that promise to boost phone performance may actually restrict your email app from running in the background. Uninstall such apps for the proper functioning of your email.

10. Disable Battery/Power Saving Mode

Enabling battery saver mode on your Android device or having it enabled automatically when the battery is low can prevent your emails from syncing. Disable power-saving features in the settings to make sure your emails sync properly.

11. Check Email Servers

If all the troubleshooting steps above don't fix the email sync issue, it's worth checking if the email provider's server is experiencing an outage. You can use websites like DownForEveryoneOrJustMe to check the server status of your email service.

12. Remove and Re-Add Email ID Again

If there is no issue from your email provider's end, try removing your email ID and re-adding it. This may fix any configuration issues and start syncing your email on your Android smartphone.

13. Clear Cache and Data of Email App

Clearing the cache and data of your email app can resolve sync issues caused by outdated or corrupted cache and can also speed up Gmail. To do this:

  1. Go to the Android Settings and select Apps.
  2. Choose your email app, such as Outlook or Gmail.
  3. Select the Storage option.
  4. Tap on both Clear cache and Clear data buttons.
    After that, sign in to your email account again.

14. Update Email App

If clearing the data and cache of the email app doesn't fix the sync issue, try updating the app. This can fix existing bugs, including the one causing your email to stop syncing. Simply open the Play Store and search for your email client. If an update is available, hit the Update button.

15. Re-install Email App

If none of the above solutions work, try reinstalling the email app. Go to Settings > Apps > Email App (such as Gmail or Outlook) and uninstall it. Then, download the app again from the Play Store.

By following these 15 proven solutions, you can restore harmony in your inbox and ensure that your email syncs properly on your Android device.