Top 10 Solutions to Fix Gmail Not Working on Android

ByJim Miller

Gmail is a popular email service that offers excellent mobile apps for Android and iPhone. However, sometimes users may encounter issues with Gmail not working on their Android devices. If you are facing this problem, don't worry. In this article, we will discuss ten effective solutions to fix Gmail errors on Android and get your email service up and running smoothly again.

1. Check Gmail Servers

Before trying any advanced solutions, it's essential to check if Gmail servers are experiencing any system-wide outage. You can visit Downdetector and search for Gmail to see if others are reporting the same issue. If there is an outage, you will notice a significant increase in outage graphs. In such cases, you will need to wait for Google to resolve the server-side problems before using Gmail on Android again.

2. Check Internet Connection

Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If you are using an unreliable or sketchy internet connection, you may miss out on receiving new emails in Gmail. Swipe down and open the notification center to enable Wi-Fi or mobile data and ensure a reliable internet connection.

3. Disable and Enable Gmail Sync

If you are facing syncing issues with Gmail in your account, you can try disabling and enabling sync for Gmail. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Swipe up and open the app drawer menu. Find and tap on “Settings.”
  2. Scroll to “Accounts.”
  3. Select the Google ID that is experiencing Gmail sync issues.
  4. Tap on “Account sync” and disable the “Gmail” toggle. Enable it again after a few seconds to check if new emails are appearing in the Gmail app.

4. Sync Gmail

Gmail allows users to disable sync from the app settings. If you have turned off sync, you may need to pull down from the top of your inbox to receive new emails. Alternatively, you can enable sync for your account by following these steps:

  1. Open Gmail on your Android phone and tap on the hamburger menu at the top.
  2. Select “Settings” and open your Google account.
  3. Scroll down and enable “Sync Gmail” in the “Data usage” menu.

5. Change Your Gmail Inbox Type

If you are having trouble finding social and promotional emails in the Primary inbox, you can change your Gmail inbox type. Gmail categorizes such emails into different sections. To place all unread emails at the top, follow these steps:

  1. Open Gmail settings on your phone.
  2. Select your Google account and tap on “Inbox type.”
  3. Tap on the radio button beside “Unread first.”

From now on, Gmail will keep all unread emails at the top, regardless of their category.

6. Force Stop Gmail

If Gmail is misbehaving on your Android device, you can force the app to stop and then open it again. Here's how:

  1. Long-press on the Gmail app icon and open the app info menu.
  2. Select “Force stop.”

The operating system will suspend all Gmail-related activities. Launch Gmail again and see if it's working as expected.

7. Clear Gmail Cache

When you have a large amount of cache in the Gmail app, it can sometimes lead to errors. Clearing the app cache can help resolve these issues. Follow these steps to clear the Gmail app cache:

  1. Launch the Gmail app info menu.
  2. Open “Storage & cache” and select “Clear cache.”

8. Lock Gmail in the Recents Menu

Some Android manufacturers aggressively manage RAM, which can cause them to shut down background apps such as Gmail to save battery life. However, you can pin essential apps like Gmail to ensure smooth functioning. Here's how:

  1. Use the swipe up and hold gesture from the bottom to open the multitasking menu.
  2. Tap on the Gmail app icon and select “Lock.”

9. Uninstall Android System WebView Updates

Android System WebView allows apps like Gmail to display web content within them. Sometimes, a buggy update of Android System WebView can cause issues with Gmail. To fix this, you can uninstall the updates. Here's how:

  1. Open “Apps & notifications” in Android Settings.
  2. Select “See all apps” and find “Android System WebView.”
  3. Tap on the three-dot menu at the top and select “Uninstall updates.”

10. Update Gmail

Updating the Gmail app can resolve many issues. Google distributes all its apps, including Gmail, through the Play Store. Make sure you have the latest version of the Gmail app by launching the Play Store, searching for Gmail, and updating it from the app info menu.

By following these ten solutions, you should be able to fix Gmail not working on your Android device. If you are still experiencing issues, you can consider using third-party Gmail alternatives available on the Google Play Store, such as Outlook, Yahoo Mail, Spark, and more.