How to Fix Email Not Working in Browser Webmail

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

It can be frustrating with you can't get your email using your web-based mail system. 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 then test to see if you are able to access your email. If successful, you can discontinue use of this guide. If you're still having trouble, try the next fix until you find one that resolves your issue.

Before You Begin:

  • Make sure your computer is connected to the internet.
Webmail not working

2. Restart Your Device

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.

Before you restart or shut down your device, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.

 

Windows

Windows

  1. Select the Start menu, then select Power.
Windows 10 Start Menu

Windows 10 Power Button
  1. Select Restart.
Windows 10 Power menu with Restart highlighted.

Apple

Apple macOS

  1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu, then Restart...
macOS Mojave Apple Menu with Restart highlighted.

Android

Android

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

Apple

Apple iOS

  1. Push and hold the Power button for a few moments.
iPhone with power button highlighted.

  1. Depending on the model of iPhone you have, the location of the power button may be on the top or on the right-hand side.
  2. Slide the Power symbol on your screen to the right to shut down your iPhone.
Slide to Power off Prompt with power switch highlighted and arrow indicating to slide to the right.
  1. Wait 30 seconds.
Wait 30 Seconds
  1. Push and hold the Power button for a few moments to turn your iPhone back on.
iPhone with power button highlighted.

After rebooting, check if you are still having the same problem again. Many times, this is all that's needed to fix issues you may have!

3. Make Sure the Internet Connection Works

  1. Open your browser. In the address bar at the top, type in google.com, then push Enter or Return.
Chrome browser with address entered and highlighted.
  1. 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.
Google home page with search field and Google Search button highlighted.
  1. Make sure search results load properly.
Example Google Search Results
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. My Internet Doesn't Work

4. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Many problems with more active websites, such as webmail or database access pages, there can often be a problem with the information your browser caches, or saves to make it load faster, and what the site itself is trying to display. The simple solution is to tell your browser to delete whatever it has in its cache, so it can get a fresh copy that's more likely to work properly.

On top of that, cookies, or little tokens of information, can also get out-of-sync, and cause similar problems when a site is changed a little. Again, telling the browser to clear cookies is the simplest solution to this issue.

After clearing cookies, you will need to sign back into sites you use regularly.

If you have your browser set to remember your passwords, this won't be lost, and your browser will automatically fill in the prompts for you.

Each browser is a little different in where the cache and cookie settings are kept. Select your browser from the list below for tailored instructions to clear the cache and cookies.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome

  1. Open Chrome, and select the Menu in the top-right corner.
Google Chrome

Chrome browser with menu highlighted.
  1. Point to More tools, and select Clear browsing data.
Chrome menus with More tools and Clear browsing data highlighted.
  1. For Time range, select All time. Place a check mark for Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. Select Clear data.
Chrome Clear Browsing Data with options selected and highlighted.

Apple Safari

Safari

  1. Select the Safari menu, then select Clear History.
Safari menu with Clear History highlighted.
  1. Select Clear all history, then select Clear History.
Clear history dialog with Clear All History and Clear History button highlighted.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open Firefox, and select the Menu in the top-right corner.
Mozilla Firefox

Firefox browser with Menu highlighted
  1. Select Library.
Firefox menu with Library highlighted.
  1. Select History, then select Clear Recent History.
Firefox menu with History highlighted, and Firefox menu with Clear Recent History highlighted.
  1. For Time range to clear, select Everything. Under History, select all boxes, then select Clear Now.
Clear All History with Time Range, History options, and Clear Now button highlighted.

Opera

Opera

  1. Select the Opera O menu in the top-left corner, point to History, then select Clear browsing data.
Opera

Opera O menu with History and Clear browsing data highlighted.
  1. For Time range, select All time. Place a check mark for Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. Select Clear data.
Opera Clear Browsing Data with options selected and highlighted.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Microsoft Edge, and select the Menu in the top-right corner.
Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge browser with menu highlighted.
  1. Select the Menu in the top-right corner, and select History.
Edge menu with History highlighted.
  1. Select Clear history.
Edge history with Clear history highlighted.
  1. Place a check next to Browsing history, Cookies and saved website data, Cached data and files, and Tabs I've set aside or recently closed. Then select Clear.
Edge Clear browsing data with options selected and Clear button highlighted.
Apple iOS
Safari iOS

Safari on iOS

  1. Open Settings, and select Safari.
iOS Settings

iOS Settings with Safari highlighted.
  1. Select Clear History and Website Data.
Safari Settings with Clear History and Website Data highlighted.
  1. Select Clear History and Data.
Clear history warning prompt with Clear History and Data highlighted.
Android
Google Chrome

Chrome on Android

  1. Open Chrome, and select the Menu in the top-right corner.
Google Chrome

Chrome on Android with menu highlighted.
  1. Select History.
Android Chrome menu with History highlighted.
  1. Select Clear browsing data.
History with Clear browsing data highlighted.
  1. Place a check mark next to each item, then select Clear data.
Clear history menu with all items checked and Clear data button highlighted.
  1. You'll be asked to confirm you want to clear site storage for pages that may store data for you. Make sure each item is checked and select Clear.
Clear site storage conformation with Clear highlighted.

5. Check the Status of the Website

It's a good idea to test if the site you're trying to access is down for everyone, or just you. There's a website that facilitates doing just that!

  1. Open your preferred browser, and visita website checker page, such as "Down for Everyone or Just Me".
Chrome browser with address typed in and highlighted.
  1. Down for Everyone or Just Me
  2. Down for Everyone or Just Me (External)
  3. On the site, type in the website address you're having problems reaching, then then push Enter or Return.
Down for everyone page with address field and or just me button highlighted.
  1. Look at the result from the site, to determine if the site is down.
  2. Site Down
  3. If the result says that "It's not just you!", that means the site is down for everyone.
Down for Everyone site check showing site is down for everyone.
  1. Site Up
  2. If the result says that "It's just you.", that means there's a problem with the connection between your computer and the site, but other people can get to the site.
Down for everyone site check showing site is up.

6. The Website is Having Problems

It appears your web browser and computer are working fine because you are able to reach Google. There is a problem with the website itself that you are trying to reach.

You can wait and try accessing the site in a little while, or you can contact the person or company that controls the website to find out more about why the site is having problems, and when it will become available again.

7. Test the Website with a Different Browser

The issue you are experiencing may not be due to an Internet or website issue. It may actually be an issue with the web browser you are using. Some websites, especially interactive ones such as webmail services, may work better when accessed with a particular browser. Some websites actually recommend or require a specific browser in order to function properly. Depending on the device you are using and what it currently has installed, you may have a backup or alternative web browser already available.

Common Browsers

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft's Edge browser comes pre-installed and setup on your Windows computer.

If you don't see an icon for Edge on your Desktop or Taskbar, you should see one in your Start Menu.

Apple Safari

Apple Safari

Apple's Safari browser comes pre-installed and setup on your Mac computer, or iOS phone or tablet.

If you don't see an icon for Safari on your Dock, you can find one in your Applications folder.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome

Google's Chrome browser comes pre-installed and setup on your Android phone or tablet, and is available for Windows and Mac computers as well, and is exceptionally popular as both a primary and secondary browser for many people.

Setup Google Chrome
We have guides available if you wish to setup Google Chrome as a second browser on your computer.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is available for Windows and Mac computers, and is a popular browser used by many people.

Setup Mozilla Firefox
We have guides available if you wish to setup Mozilla Firefox as a second browser on your computer.

Opera

Opera

Another browser, often installed because Opera tends to lay out a great many features on the screen at all times.

Setup Opera
We have guides available if you wish to setup Opera as a second browser on your computer.

8. The Web Browser is the Issue

It appears that the first web browser you tried to access the website with is having problems. Either because the website you tried to visit is incompatible with it, some sort of misconfiguration, or some type of deeper issue that will require service.

This is not a problem with your Internet Service Provider, but rather with the software (the web browser) on your computer.

You may choose to use the web browser that was able to successfully view this website. To get your primary web browser working with the site, your device will require service.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome


If you are using Google Chrome, this guide may help you resolve issues you are having with your browser.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge


If you are using Microsoft Edge, this guide may help you resolve issues you are having with your browser.

Opera

Opera


If you are using Opera, this guide may help you resolve issues you are having with your browser.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox


If you are using Mozilla Firefox, this guide may help you resolve issues you are having with your browser.

Safari

Apple Safari


If you are using Safari, this guide may help you resolve issues you are having with your browser.

9. The Internet Service Cannot Reach the Page

It appears that your device and your internet connection are fine because you can get to Google. The issue in this case is the route your internet connection uses to reach the website in question.

You can wait and try to access the page later, or contact the company who provides your Internet access to find out why that particular route is down and when it will come back up.