Why Am I Not Receiving Emails on Gmail? Fix It in Minutes

You’ve checked your inbox. Refreshed the page. Maybe even sent yourself a test email just to be sure. Still nothing.

If you’ve found yourself wondering, why am I not receiving emails on Gmail, you're definitely not alone. It’s a surprisingly common issue. And while it can feel frustrating, especially if you're waiting on something important, the cause is usually something small. Something you can fix.

This article explains the most likely reasons Gmail stops delivering emails. Things like storage limits, sync issues, hidden filters, mobile settings, or account glitches. I’ll walk you through each one clearly, without jargon, and with steps you can actually follow.

Let’s start with one of the easiest problems to miss.

10 Common Reasons You’re Not Receiving Emails on Gmail

There isn’t just one reason Gmail might stop delivering messages. In fact, it’s usually not anything dramatic. Most of the time, it’s something small: like a setting that changed without you noticing, or an inbox that’s slowly filled up over time. Still, when you're not getting emails you’re expecting, it can feel urgent. And a little confusing.

So let’s go through the most common issues one by one. Some of them are simple. Others might take a few extra steps to fix. But if you follow along, there's a good chance you'll figure out what’s causing the problem, and how to get Gmail working normally again.

1. Your Google Account Is Out of Storage

This one surprises a lot of people. Google gives every Gmail user 15 GB of free storage space, and that storage is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. When you run out of available space, Gmail simply stops working the way it should. You won’t be able to send or receive messages at all.

If your inbox looks fine but you’ve got years of photos or forgotten Drive files, that shared space might be the real issue. When your account is full, you might even see a “your mailbox is full” warning at the top of Gmail.

To fix it, you have two options. You can delete old emails, especially ones with large attachments, or you can upgrade to a paid Google One plan to increase your storage. Either way, once you clear space or expand it, your inbox will start functioning again.

Here’s how to start:

• Step 1. Go to Google Storage and check how much space you’ve used.

• Step 2. In Gmail, search for:
  has:attachment larger:10M
  This will help you spot and delete space-hogging emails.

• Step 3. Clean out Trash and Spam: they count too.

• Step 4. Don’t ignore Google Drive and Photos. A few old video files or synced folders can quietly use up gigabytes.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’d rather not sort through everything by hand, there’s a faster way. Try AgainstData. It can bulk-delete unnecessary emails, unsubscribe from senders, and request data deletion from companies that are still holding your information. It’s an easy way to free up space without digging through thousands of messages manually.

Once you’ve cleared enough space, or upgraded your storage, Gmail should start delivering emails again. If not, let’s move on to the next possible issue.

2. Gmail Is Not Syncing Properly

Sometimes Gmail works on one device but not on another. Or maybe everything looks normal on your laptop, but your phone seems to have frozen in time. When that happens, it’s almost always a sync issue. These are easy to miss because Gmail doesn’t really notify you when sync quietly stops in the background.

Let’s go through how to check for sync problems.

📱 On iPhone

• Step 1. Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. It sounds obvious, but Gmail needs a stable internet connection to sync.

• Step 2. Open the Gmail app and pull down the inbox to manually refresh. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

• Step 3. If nothing changes, try restarting your iPhone. A reboot can fix background processes that aren’t working right.

• Step 4. If Gmail still isn't syncing, delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store.

🤖 On Android

• Step 1. Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or data. Try opening another app to confirm.

• Step 2. Open the Gmail app → tap the three lines (menu) → scroll to Settings → choose your account → and check that "Sync Gmail" is turned on.

• Step 3. If sync is already on, toggle it off and back on again.

• Step 4. Restart your phone to refresh system functions.

• Step 5. To clear the Gmail app cache:
  Go to Settings → Apps → Gmail → Storage → Clear Cache. This can solve minor glitches without deleting anything important.

If Gmail still isn’t syncing properly after all of that, try checking from another device or browser. If the problem is limited to just one device, you’ve narrowed it down, and that’ll help with the next steps.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t forget to check your notification settings. On both iPhone and Android, if Gmail notifications are turned off at the system level, new emails might arrive silently without you realizing. It’s a small thing, but it catches people off guard more often than you'd think.

3. Gmail Account Isn’t Linked Properly on Mobile

If you’re not receiving emails at all on your phone, not even after reinstalling or refreshing the Gmail app, there’s a chance your account was never fully added in the first place. Or maybe you're signed in with an old Gmail address that you no longer use regularly.

It’s more common than you’d think, especially if you’ve switched devices recently, changed email habits, or use different accounts for different things.

📱 On iPhone (Mail App)

The native Mail app doesn’t always sync automatically with Gmail, especially if the account was added incorrectly or permissions weren’t granted fully.

• Step 1. Open the Settings app.

• Step 2. Find the Mail section.

• Step 3. Select Mail Accounts, then tap Add Account.

• Step 4. Choose Google from the list.

• Step 5. Sign in with your Gmail address and password.

After adding it properly, give the Mail app a few minutes to sync. Then open it and try pulling down to refresh.

🤖 On Android

Most Android phones require a Gmail account during setup — but that doesn’t always mean it’s the right one. You might’ve added an account you rarely use, or accidentally skipped the sync setup.

• Step 1. Open the Gmail app.

• Step 2. Tap your profile picture in the top right.

• Step 3. Select Add another account.

• Step 4. Choose Google, then log in with the Gmail address you actually use.

After it’s added, Gmail will begin syncing your inbox automatically. Just make sure notifications are turned on so you don’t miss anything.

4. Emails Are Filtered, Forwarded, or Blocked

Sometimes your emails are being delivered… just not to your inbox. Gmail has powerful filtering tools, but they can backfire. Maybe you set up a rule months ago and forgot about it. Or maybe a filter was triggered by accident. Either way, Gmail might be silently archiving, forwarding, or even deleting emails before you ever see them.

Here’s how to check if filters or forwarding rules are getting in the way.

Check Gmail Filters

This is one of the most common reasons emails never reach your inbox, especially if you’ve created filters in the past and haven’t reviewed them in a while.

• Step 1. On desktop, open Gmail and click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top right. Choose See all settings.

• Step 2. Go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab.

• Step 3. Look through the list of filters. Anything that includes “Skip Inbox,” “Delete it,” or “Forward it” could be the problem.

• Step 4. Delete or edit filters that don’t look right. Sometimes filters are created automatically (like when you unsubscribe from a sender), so double-check even if you don’t remember setting them.

Check Your Blocked Senders List

If a sender is on this list, even accidentally, their emails are automatically rejected and won’t appear anywhere in your inbox.

• Step 1. In the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab, scroll down to see any blocked email addresses.

• Step 2. If someone’s on that list, their emails won’t land in your inbox.

• Step 3. Click Unblock next to any sender you want to start hearing from again.

It only takes one old filter or a random block to create a really confusing situation. I once filtered all emails with “receipt” in the subject to skip the inbox... and completely forgot I’d done it. It wasn’t until I missed a couple of order confirmations that I realized what was going on.

Check Forwarding Settings

Gmail lets you automatically forward emails to another address, and if that’s turned on, you might not notice your emails are quietly being redirected somewhere else.

• Step 1. While still in Gmail settings, go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.

• Step 2. See if email forwarding is enabled.

• Step 3. If you don’t want forwarding anymore, disable it or remove the address.

If you’ve checked all this and still can’t find your missing emails, it might be time to look in places Gmail doesn’t always advertise.

5. Emails Redirected to Spam, All Mail, or the Wrong Tab

Sometimes Gmail gets extra cautious. If it thinks an email might be suspicious or promotional, it might quietly move it to your Spam folder. Other times, it skips the inbox entirely and lands in All Mail. Or, it ends up in a tab you rarely check, like Promotions or Updates.

The message technically arrives, but you never see it unless you go looking. Let’s walk through where to check and make sure your missing email isn’t hiding in plain sight.

Check Your Spam Folder

Legitimate emails end up here more often than you’d expect, especially ones from newsletters, contact forms, or unfamiliar domains.

• Step 1. On desktop or mobile, scroll through the left-hand menu in Gmail and click on Spam. If you don’t see it right away, click More to reveal hidden folders.

• Step 2. Look for the email you’re missing. If you find it, open it and click Report not spam at the top. That sends it back to your inbox and tells Gmail you want to receive messages like it in the future.

Marking safe emails as not spam helps retrain Gmail. It’s one of the easiest ways to prevent this kind of issue from repeating.

Check Your All Mail Folder

This is where Gmail stores archived messages, filtered emails, and anything that skipped your inbox without being deleted.

• Step 1. Scroll down the menu on the left and click on All Mail.

• Step 2. Use the search bar to help narrow things down. Try typing in the sender’s name, email address, or a word from the subject line.

• Step 3. If you spot the missing email, click Move to Inbox to make sure it shows up properly next time.

All Mail often becomes a catch-all for things Gmail isn’t quite sure what to do with. It’s worth a quick look before diving into more complex troubleshooting.

Check Gmail Tabs

Gmail automatically sorts messages into categories like Primary, Promotions, and Social. That’s helpful most of the time, but it can also hide emails where you don’t expect them.

• Step 1. At the top of your Gmail inbox, you’ll see tabs like Primary, Promotions, and Social. Click through each one.

• Step 2. Look for the missing email. If it’s there, you can drag it to the Primary tab to teach Gmail where it should go in the future.

• Step 3. A small popup will appear asking if you want Gmail to always deliver emails from this sender to Primary. Click Yes.

This is especially important for newsletters, confirmation emails, and marketing messages. Gmail might see them as promotional, even when they’re important to you.

6. Login or Security Glitch Temporarily Blocks Email

Sometimes Gmail doesn’t just stop receiving emails because of a setting. It pauses delivery for security reasons. If Google detects a suspicious login, or if there’s been unusual account activity, it might temporarily block new messages from being delivered. In some cases, emails bounce back to the sender without you ever knowing.

This usually happens quietly and resolves itself once you verify your identity or log back in, but it can still leave you in the dark for hours or even longer.

Here’s what to check:

Review Recent Account Activity

If Gmail is acting strange, your first stop should be the Last account activity section.

• Step 1. Scroll to the bottom right corner of your Gmail inbox. You’ll see a line that says Last account activity. Click Details.

• Step 2. A small window will open showing recent logins, including the device type, location, and access time. Look for anything that seems unfamiliar, a location you’ve never been to, or a device you don’t recognize.

• Step 3. If something looks off, go to your Google Account Security page, scroll to Your Devices, and manually sign out of anything suspicious. Then change your password just to be safe.

💡 Pro Tip: Set up two-factor authentication to secure your Gmail account.

Gmail may pause or block incoming emails temporarily if it detects unusual activity, so taking these steps can help restore normal delivery.

Check for Security Alerts from Google

Google usually sends a warning if something suspicious is detected, but if your inbox is frozen, you might’ve missed it.

• Step 1. Go to Google’s Security Checkup.

• Step 2. Look for any recent events under “Your devices,” “Recent security events,” or “Third-party access.”

• Step 3. Follow any prompts to confirm your identity or review account access.

Once everything looks secure and you’ve confirmed your account activity, Gmail should go back to functioning normally, but it’s worth keeping an eye on it for the next day or so, just in case anything else seems off.

7. Try Using a Different Browser or Incognito Mode

If everything seems fine but you’re still not receiving emails, the problem might not be with Gmail at all, it could be your browser. Extensions, cookies, or cached data can sometimes interfere with how Gmail loads and behaves. This can lead to bugs like emails not appearing, buttons not working, or inboxes that never update.

One quick way to test this is to switch things up:

Open Gmail in Incognito Mode

Incognito (or private) mode runs your browser without extensions and clears most cookies. If Gmail works perfectly in this mode, you’ll know that something in your regular browser setup is causing the issue.

• Step 1. Open a new incognito or private window.
   – On Chrome: Click the three dots → New incognito window
   – On Safari: File → New Private Window
   – On Firefox: File → New Private Window

• Step 2. Go to mail.google.com and log in.

💡 Pro Tip: If Gmail is still acting up, the problem is likely caused by a browser extension or cached data, clearing your cache or disabling extensions can help.

Try a Different Browser Entirely

Sometimes it’s not even an extension, it’s just a glitch with your browser. Open Gmail in a different one (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, whatever you’re not currently using) and see if things improve.

If Gmail suddenly works, it’s a sign your main browser needs a little cleanup. A simple browser update can often solve the problem without too much effort.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your browser updated and try not to overload it with too many add-ons. Even one outdated extension can mess with how Gmail performs.

8. Check If Gmail Is Down

Sometimes the issue isn’t on your end at all. Gmail might be experiencing a temporary outage or disruption. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, nothing you change in your settings or device will fix it.

To check if that’s the case, head to the Google Workspace Status Dashboard. This page shows whether Gmail and other Google services are running normally. If there’s an issue, you’ll see a colored icon next to Gmail with a short description of the problem.

You can also take a quick look at Downdetector. It’s a public tracker where people report service issues in real time. If you see a big spike in reports, chances are you’re not the only one dealing with missing emails.

If Gmail really is down, the only option is to wait. Most outages are resolved quickly and any emails that were delayed usually show up as soon as things are back to normal.

9. Check POP and IMAP Settings (for Mail Apps)

If you use a third-party mail client like Apple Mail, Outlook, or Thunderbird, Gmail needs special permissions to work with those apps. That’s where POP and IMAP settings come in. If they’re turned off or misconfigured, emails might not be delivered to your external inbox, or worse, they could be deleted after being downloaded once.

Here’s how to check those settings:

• Step 1. On desktop, open Gmail and click the gear icon, then select See all settings

• Step 2. Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab

• Step 3. Make sure IMAP is enabled, this is the more modern and flexible option

• Step 4. If you’re using POP, check that it’s set to keep Gmail’s copy in the inbox

If your client isn’t syncing properly, it’s also worth removing and re-adding the Gmail account from that app. Gmail has detailed setup instructions for most popular email clients.

10. Advanced: Issues with Custom Domains or Hosting

If you’re using Gmail with a custom domain, like yourname@yourcompany.com, things can get a little more complex. Gmail doesn’t handle the delivery of those emails entirely on its own. It relies on how your domain is configured behind the scenes.

When something is off with your domain settings, Gmail might stop receiving messages altogether. And the tricky part is that these issues usually don’t come with a warning. Everything looks normal, but nothing shows up.

Here are a few things worth checking.

MX Records Might Be Misconfigured

Mail delivery depends on something called MX records. These are part of your domain’s DNS setup and tell other servers where to deliver your email. If your MX records aren’t pointing to Google’s servers, or they were recently changed by accident, Gmail won’t be able to receive anything.

You can look up your MX records using a tool like MXToolbox. Just enter your domain and compare what shows up to Google’s recommended settings.

If they don’t match, you’ll need to update them in your domain registrar or hosting dashboard. Google has a step-by-step guide that lists the correct values.

Your Domain Might Have Expired

It sounds simple, but it happens more often than you’d expect. If your domain registration has lapsed, your email will stop working until it’s renewed. Log in to your domain provider’s account and make sure your domain is still active.

Third-Party Hosting Issues

If your domain is managed through a web hosting company, technical hiccups on their end can disrupt email delivery without you realizing it. If everything else looks correct and you’re still not getting emails, it might be time to reach out to their support team. Ask them to double-check your DNS settings and mail routing.

This section mainly applies if you’re using Gmail through Google Workspace or with a branded email domain. If you’re using a regular Gmail address, you can probably skip this. But if you’re managing your own domain, these background settings are worth reviewing.

Final Thoughts

Not receiving emails on Gmail can be frustrating, but it’s rarely a dead-end. Most of the time, it comes down to something small, a storage limit, a sneaky filter, or a sync hiccup on your device. The good news? Nearly all of these issues can be solved in a few minutes once you know where to look.

Whether the problem was a full inbox, a blocked sender, or just an overactive Promotions tab, now you’ve got the tools to figure it out. And if you’d rather skip the digital cleanup altogether, you can always try AgainstData, it helps you bulk delete unwanted emails, unsubscribe from senders, and clear space fast.

Gmail might act up from time to time, but with a little troubleshooting, you’ll be back to receiving messages normally, and probably with a much cleaner inbox, too.

FAQ

How do I fix my Gmail not receiving emails?

Start by checking your storage, spam folder, and filters. Then review your sync settings and make sure your account is properly linked on all devices.

Why are my emails not showing up in my Gmail inbox?

They might be getting filtered, archived, or redirected to tabs like Promotions or Updates. Also check Spam and All Mail to see if they landed there by mistake.

Why am I not getting Gmail notifications even though they are turned on?

If Gmail notifications are enabled but not working, the issue might be with app settings, device-level permissions, or battery optimization. Make sure sync is on, Do Not Disturb is off, and Gmail isn’t restricted from running in the background.