How to use it
- Read the live status above. It tests Gmail from outside your network.
- Open the official Google Workspace Status Dashboard page for confirmed incidents.
- If Gmail is up, work through the fixes below, cheapest first.
- Press the report button if it still fails, so other visitors see it.
Is Gmail down for everyone or only for you?
Gmail works in several ways. You can use the web page, the Gmail app on a phone, or another mail program that connects over IMAP. Sending and receiving mail is handled by Google servers, while the page you view depends on your browser. A fault in your browser can look exactly like a Gmail outage.
Our check requests mail.google.com and the Gmail address from outside your network. If they answer, the service is reachable. Google lists the current state of Gmail on the Google Workspace Status Dashboard, which is the official source for incidents.
The live check on this page requests mail.google.com and www.gmail.com from our servers every few minutes. A normal answer from those addresses means the service is reachable from outside your network. It does not prove that every feature inside Gmail works, which is why the problem reports and the fixes below matter.
What usually breaks with Gmail
Inbox will not open
You see a loading bar that stops, or a Temporary Error page. This can be the service or a stale sign-in.
Sending and receiving delays
Messages sit in Outbox or arrive late. Check the connection first, then the dashboard.
Oops pages
Gmail shows an Oops message with a code. Google's help says these usually point to browser settings.
Mobile app sync
The app shows 'Waiting for sync' or old mail only. Background data or account settings are common causes.
Third-party mail apps
Outlook or Apple Mail cannot sign in to Gmail. App access settings or a changed password may be the reason.
How to fix Gmail when it only fails for you
Start at the top. The first steps are the cheapest and fix most cases that are not a real outage.
- Wait a few minutes and sign in again. For Temporary Error 502, Google says Gmail is briefly unavailable and your messages are safe.
- Open Gmail in a private window. In Chrome press Ctrl+Shift+N. If the inbox loads, an extension or stored cookie is the cause.
- Clear cache and cookies. Open your browser settings, delete cached files and cookies for mail.google.com, then sign in again.
- Turn off extensions and Advanced features. In Gmail open Settings, See all settings, Advanced, and switch off experimental features you enabled.
- Check the connection. Toggle Wi-Fi or mobile data, restart the device and try another network.
- Remove and re-add the account on a phone. In the Gmail app you cannot sign out directly. Remove the Google Account in device settings, then add it again.
- Check storage. If the account is full, new mail may bounce. Open Google One storage and free space.
- Check the status dashboard. Look at Gmail on the Google Workspace Status Dashboard to see if Google has posted an incident.
If none of this helps and the live check above shows the service as up, read our guide on why a website is not loading, or see how to flush DNS.
Common Gmail error messages
| Message or code | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Error (502) | Gmail is temporarily unavailable. Google says your messages and personal information are safe. | Wait a few minutes and sign in again. |
| Oops (602, 500, 102, 009, 103) | These errors usually point to a browser setting problem. | Disable extensions, use incognito, clear cache and cookies, and turn off Advanced features. |
| Bad Request: Your client has issued a malformed or illegal request | A browser setting, extension or app is interfering with Gmail. | Remove extensions or apps one at a time, then clear cache and cookies. |
| No connection | The device or browser cannot reach the internet. | Check the network, restart the device and sign out and back in. |
Official Gmail status and support
The company itself has the final word on outages. Check Google Workspace Status Dashboard for confirmed incidents and use Gmail Help if your account has a problem that is not an outage. We are not affiliated with Gmail.
Facts and menu names on this page were checked against the official sources below on October 25, 2026. Apps change their menus, so a setting may sit in a slightly different place in your version.
Other services people check
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if Gmail is down or if it is just me?
Run the live check on this page, then try Gmail on your phone using mobile data. If it opens there, your browser or home network is at fault.
Where can I see official Gmail outages?
Google publishes service status on the Google Workspace Status Dashboard at google.com/appsstatus/dashboard. It lists Gmail separately from other services.
Are my emails lost when Gmail shows Error 502?
No. Google's help says your messages and personal information are safe, and the error is temporary.
Why does Gmail work on my phone but not my computer?
That points to the browser. Try a private window, disable extensions and clear cache and cookies.
Is Gmail down if Google Search works?
Not necessarily. They are separate services, and one can fail while the other runs.