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Top 10 Ways to Fix Gmail Not Working on Android

by Parth Shah

Although Gmail is best experienced on the desktop, the company offers excellent mobile apps to compose, view, and manage emails on Android and iPhone. But what if Gmail on Android stops syncing new emails in the first place? Here are the ways to fix Gmail not working on Android.

Fix Gmail Not Working on Android

Unlike iPhone, Gmail is tightly integrated into Android OS. Several factors including the Google account’s syncing issue can lead to Gmail errors on Android. Let’s discuss all the solutions step-by-step.

1. Check Gmail Servers

Before we move to any advanced solution, it’s better to check Gmail servers. If Gmail is facing a system-wide outage, no trick will work to resolve the issue.

You need to visit Downdetector and search for Gmail. If others are reporting the same issue, you will notice sky-rocketing outage graphs. You can scroll down and check the latest comments as well. Wait for Google to troubleshoot server-side problems and then try using Gmail on Android again.

2. Check Internet Connection

It’s a basic step but still worth mentioning. If you are working on a sketchy internet connection, you might miss out on emails in Gmail.

Swipe down and open the notification center. From quick toggles, enable Wi-Fi and connect to a reliable Wi-Fi connection. You can also enable Mobile data toggle and sync new emails using the cellular data.

android notification center toggles

3. Disable and Enable Gmail

If there are syncing issues with Gmail in your added account, you need to disable sync for Gmail and enable it again. Let us show you how.

1. Swipe up and open the app drawer menu. Find Settings with a familiar gear icon and tap on it.

2. Scroll to Accounts.

account settings on android phone

3. Select the Google ID in which you are facing Gmail sync issues.

gmail account in android google account settings

4. Tap on Account sync and disable the Gmail toggle from the following menu.

gmail account sync option in gmail

Enable Gmail after a few seconds and check if the new emails are appearing in the Gmail app or not. If not, then continue reading.

4. Sync Gmail

Gmail allows users to disable sync from the app settings. If you have turned off sync, you need to pull down from the top of your inbox to receive new emails.

Alternatively, you can just enable sync for your account.

1. Open Gmail on your Android phone. Tap on the hamburger menu at the top.

2. Select Settings and open your Google account.

gmail account general settings

3. Scroll down and enable Sync Gmail in the Data usage menu.

gmail account sync toggle

5. Change Your Gmail Inbox Type

Are you finding it difficult to check social and promotional emails in Gmail? You are already receiving them, but they won’t appear in the Primary inbox. Gmail has categorized such emails into different sections. You can change the behavior and place all unread emails at the top.

1. Open Gmail settings on your phone (check the steps above).

2. Select your Google account and tap on Inbox type.

3. Tap on the radio button beside Unread first.

gmail unread emails settings

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

6. Force Stop Gmail

If Gmail is misbehaving on Android, you can force the app to stop and open it again.

1. Long-press on the Gmail app icon and open the app info menu.

2. Select Force stop.

force stop gmail app on android

The OS will suspend all Gmail-related activities. Launch Gmail and see if it’s working as expected.

7. Clear Gmail Cache

When you have 30+ days of mail to sync, and enabled auto-download for attachments in Gmail, you often end up with a large amount of cache in the app. In general, cache helps you navigate the app faster but at times, it can lead to errors too. Let’s clear the Gmail app cache and try again, shall we?

1. Launch the Gmail app info menu (check the steps above).

2. Open Storage & cache and select Clear cache.

clear gmail app cache on android

8. Lock Gmail in the Recents Menu

Some Android manufacturers such as Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Realme can be too aggressive with RAM management. To save battery life, they completely shut down background apps such as Gmail on phone.  

You do have an option to pin most-essential apps for smooth functions.

1. Use the swipe up and hold gesture from the bottom and open the multitasking menu.

2. Tap on the app icon and select Lock.

lock gmail app recents menu

9. Uninstall Android System WebView Updates

Android System WebView allows Android apps such as Gmail to display web content inside them. Google regularly updates Android System WebView to meet newer web standards. However, a recent buggy WebView update might have caused issues with Gmail.

It’s time to uninstall Android System WebView updates for smooth Gmail operations.

1. From Android Settings, open Apps & notifications.

google play store app and notification settings

2. Select See all apps and find Android System WebView.

android system webview settings android

3. Tap on the three-dot menu at the top and select Uninstall updates.

uninstall app view updates on android

10. Update Gmail

Unlike iOS, Google distributes all the company apps through the Play Store. Not many are kin to update apps on their Android phones. If you are working with an outdated Gmail app, it can lead to issues.

Launch Google Play Store, search for Gmail and update it from the app info menu.

Make Gmail Up and Running on Android

If Gmail is still not working on Android, you can go with third-party Gmail alternatives. The Google Play Store is filled with many such options including Outlook, Yahoo mail, Spark, and more.

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