Gmail’s outbox can sometimes trap emails, preventing them from being sent. This issue often stems from connectivity problems, oversized attachments, or misconfigured settings. Let’s explore several effective methods to get those stubborn emails moving again.
Check Your Internet Connection
A weak or unstable internet connection is frequently the culprit behind emails stuck in the outbox.
Step 1: Open a web browser and try loading a website to verify your connection.
Step 2: If the page doesn’t load, troubleshoot your network:
- Restart your router and modem
- Check if other devices can connect
- Contact your internet service provider if the problem persists
Verify Attachment Size Limits
Gmail has a 25MB limit for email attachments. Exceeding this can prevent emails from sending.
Step 1: Check the size of your email attachments.
Step 2: If over 25MB, consider these alternatives:
- Use Google Drive to share large files
- Compress the files before attaching
- Split large attachments across multiple emails
Disable Gmail Offline Mode
Offline mode can inadvertently keep emails in the outbox.
Step 1: Open Gmail in your browser.
Step 2: Click the gear icon and select “See all settings”.
Step 3: Navigate to the “Offline” tab.
Step 4: Uncheck “Enable offline mail” if it’s selected.
Step 5: Click “Save Changes” and reload Gmail.
Clear Gmail Cache and Cookies
Corrupted browser data can interfere with Gmail’s functionality.
Step 1: Open your browser settings.
Step 2: Navigate to the privacy or history section.
Step 3: Select the option to clear browsing data.
Step 4: Choose to clear cookies and cached images/files.
Step 5: Ensure “mail.google.com” is included in the time range.
Step 6: Clear the data and restart your browser.
Update the Gmail App (Mobile Users)
Outdated mobile apps can cause syncing issues.
Step 1: Open your device’s app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store).
Step 2: Search for “Gmail”.
Step 3: If an update is available, tap “Update”.
Step 4: Once updated, restart the Gmail app.
Force Stop and Restart Gmail (Android)
Sometimes, the Gmail app needs a fresh start to function correctly.
Step 1: Go to your Android device’s Settings.
Step 2: Navigate to “Apps” or “Application Manager”.
Step 3: Find and tap on “Gmail”.
Step 4: Tap “Force Stop”.
Step 5: Reopen the Gmail app and check if emails send.
Check Gmail’s Sending Limits
Gmail imposes daily sending limits to prevent spam. For regular Gmail accounts, this is typically 500 emails per day.
Step 1: Review how many emails you’ve sent in the past 24 hours.
Step 2: If near the limit, wait until the next day to send more emails.
Step 3: For business needs, consider upgrading to a Google Workspace account for higher limits.
After trying these methods, your emails should start moving out of the outbox. If problems persist, it may be worth contacting Gmail support for personalized assistance. Remember to regularly update your apps and clear cache to prevent future email sending issues.