How to Fix Email Not Working in Android Mail App

It can be frustrating when you can't get your email using your Android phone or tablet. In some cases, this is someone's only way to check their email. This guide will take you through the basics to getting your mail back working properly.

Each fix is listed in order. Try each one individually and test your email. If you're still having trouble, try the next fix until you find one that has resolved the issue.

Before You Begin:

• Make sure your phone or tablet can access the internet.

About Email on an Android Device

The default app used for checking mail on Android is called Gmail. It is optimized for checking Google's Gmail email service, but also has the ability to check mail from any other email provider.

If you use another email program on your Android smartphone, most of this guide will apply, but some menus in the mail program itself will look very different.

Check Airplane Mode

Airplane Mode turns off all communication on your device. Sometimes, this is done deliberately (such as when you're on a flight, or trying to save battery) or on accident. It's a good idea to check and be sure it isn't enabled on your device, as it will stop any and all communication for your device.

1. Open Settings, and select Network & Internet.
   
   
2. Make sure Airplane Mode is turned Off.
   

Verify Internet Connection

Sometimes, the Internet connection itself isn't working, or a public Wi-Fi hotspot requires you to sign-in or agree to their terms, first. Checking with your browser, which is simpler than other tools you may use, can help.

1. Open your browser. In the address bar at the top, type in google.com, then push Enter or Return.
   
   
2. Make sure you're able to load Google.com. Once this loads, make sure you're able to search. Type something in the Search box, then select Google Search.
   
3. Make sure search results load properly.
   
4. If searching doesn't work, then there's reason to believe that you're not connected to the Internet. Fix the connection issue before proceeding.
   
   How to Fix My Internet Connection
   Learn how to troubleshoot Internet connectivity issues for any device(s) you have that are struggling to access the Internet.

   • How to Fix Wired or WiFi Connection on Windows
   • How to Fix Wired or WiFi Connection on Mac
   • How to Fix WiFi Internet Connection on iPhone iPad
   • How to Fix WiFi Connection on Android Phone Tablet

Gmail is the primary email program on Android. It is able to check not only Google's Gmail service, but almost any other mail provider as well.

Sometimes, small changes in the email service provider require updates to the Gmail program to work properly. A quick check to be sure there's no available updates is the best first step.

1. Open the Play Store, then select the Search Bar at the top.
   
   
2. Type in Gmail, then select Gmail from the list.
   
3. If an Update is available, select Update.
   

Many basic problems can be solved simply by restarting your device. This clears caches, and forces the device to re-load the program or web page you may be having issue with, rather than use something that may be partially wrong.

1. Hold down the power button on your Android device.
   
   Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
2. Select Power Off.
   
   If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.
3. Wait 30 seconds.
   
4. Push and hold the Power button for a few moments, and your Android device will start back up.
   

Sometimes, Gmail Sync can be turned off on accident. It's best to make sure it's still turned on.

1. Open Gmail, and select the Menu in the top-left corner.
   
   
2. Scroll to the bottom, and select Settings.
   
3. Select your email account from the list.
   
4. Scroll to the bottom, under Data usage, select Sync Gmail.
   

Android allows you to turn on and off data sync at a system level, and sometimes this setting can be turned off on accident.

1. Open Settings, and select Accounts.
   
   
2. Make sure Automatically sync data is turned On.
   

If there's not enough room on your Android device, you can run into a multitude of different problems. Checking and freeing up space can help; removing things you don't want or need and making space for things you do want.

1. Open Settings, and select Storage.
   
   
   Generally, you want at least 2-3GB of space free. If you see here you have enough space free, you can skip the rest of this step, or continue if you want to free up more space.
2. Select Internal storage.
   
3. Here you'll see how much space you're using at the top. You can choose Free up space to run an automatic clean-up tool that will guide you through freeing up more space.
   

Mail apps typically save/store your email provider's server settings, including your username and password, so that it does not have to repeatedly ask you for these credentials again and again. Unfortunately, if there is ever a problem with this stored information, most email apps and providers don't do a great job of letting you know that the information it's trying to use isn't working, or is being rejected. Because of this, it's best to double-check that you're using the right password for your email by logging in with a web browser on your computer.

Change Saved Password for Android Email

After you're sure you have the correct password, you can retype it on your Android device.

1. Open Gmail, and select the Menu in the top-left corner.
   
   
2. Scroll to the bottom, and select Settings.
   
3. Select your email account from the list.
   
4. If you have a web-based mail account (such as Google or Yahoo), select to Manage your Account. If you are using an account from your ISP or another type of mail account, scroll to the bottom and select Incoming settings.
   Gmail or Web-Based Accounts

   

   ISP or Other Accounts

   
5. Look through these settings, and re-enter your password to be sure there's no simple typing errors.
   Because each mail provider is a little different, these screens will look different compared to what you will see.
   Gmail or Web-Based Accounts

   

   ISP or Other Accounts

   

The next step is to reset the email program on your Android device entirely. This will wipe all settings for all mail accounts, and require you to reset everything, then re-download all your mail.

1. Open Settings, and select Apps & notifications.
   
   
2. From your apps list, select Gmail.
   
3. Select Storage & cache.
   
4. Select Clear storage.
   
5. You will be asked if you are sure, select OK.