Why Am I Not Getting Emails? 10 Fixes That Actually Work

If your inbox has gone quiet and you're wondering, “Why am I not getting emails?”, the fix is often simple. It could be that your storage is full, Gmail filters are misfiring, or your device has stopped syncing in the background.

In this guide, we’ll walk through 10 focused checks that can help you pinpoint and fix the problem. 

Each one targets a different stage in the email delivery chain, from basic connectivity to advanced Gmail configurations. Most issues can be solved in under 10 minutes.

TL;DR 

• Check your internet and Gmail storage to rule out basic delivery blocks.

• Review your filters, spam folder, and blocked senders for hidden rules.

• Make sure sync is enabled if you're using Gmail on a phone or tablet.

• Clear browser cache and disable extensions if Gmail isn’t updating.

• If none of these fixes the issue, reach out to Google Support for help.

Why Am I Not Getting Emails?

There are several moving parts to email delivery. Issues can stem from your internet connection, the device you're using, or how your Gmail account is configured. 

Some problems are local, like sync settings or browser extensions. Others are account-wide, such as storage limits or filters that silently delete messages.

In the next section, we’ll walk through each potential cause step by step, starting with the most common and easily fixable.

10 Fixes for Not Receiving Emails

Here are ten common reasons why Gmail might stop receiving emails and what to check first:

1. Your device is offline, or the connection is unstable.

2. Your Google account storage is full.

3. A filter, forwarding rule, or blocked sender is interfering with delivery.

4. Emails are going to your spam folder.

5. The Gmail app has stopped syncing on your phone.

6. Your browser is blocking Gmail from updating due to extensions or cache.

7. A security issue changed Gmail settings without alerting you.

8. Gmail's servers are experiencing a temporary outage.

9. You need to sign out and sign back in to refresh sync.

10. All fixes failed, and it’s time to contact Google support.

In the next section, we’ll walk through each issue with focused steps to help you fix your inbox.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

No email service can function without a stable connection. If your device is offline or the network is unstable, your inbox won’t update, even if everything else looks normal.

What to check:

• Open a browser or app that requires the internet (e.g., YouTube, Maps)

• Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to isolate the issue.

• Restart your router or toggle aeroplane mode.

• On desktop: check if other tabs are loading.

• On mobile: ensure background data and sync are allowed in settings.

If you're using a mail client (such as Outlook or Apple Mail), connection issues may cause syncing delays without displaying a clear error.

2. Your Account Storage Might Be Full

Most email services, including Gmail, enforce storage limits. On a free Google account, the 15 GB quota (Outlook also offers 15 GB storage) is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. 

Once that limit is reached, new messages won’t be delivered. No error appears in the inbox, and senders won’t always get a bounce notification.

How to check your storage:

• Go to one.google.com/storage to view your usage breakdown.

• Look specifically at the Gmail bar, and also note if Drive or Photos are using up space.

If you’re out of space:

• In Gmail, search for ‘larger:10M’ or ‘has: attachment’ to find emails with large files quickly.

• Empty Trash and Spam, as they count toward your storage.

• Delete unused Drive files and large videos in Photos.

• Or upgrade your plan via Google One.

Once you clear enough space, incoming messages resume automatically.

3. Filters, Forwarding, or Blocked Addresses Are Redirecting Your Mail

If you have an active internet connection and enough available storage, the next place to check is your account settings, specifically filters, forwarding, and blocked senders. These can quietly reroute or discard emails without any visible warning.

Gmail allows custom rules that automatically delete, archive, or forward messages based on keywords, senders, or subject lines. In many cases, these filters are left over from past setups or applied unintentionally.

Follow these steps to review each area in sequence:

Step 1: Check Filters

1. Open Gmail in a browser.

2. Click the gear icon → See all settings.

3. Go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab.

4. Review each filter listed:

   • If it says “Delete it”, “Skip Inbox”, or “Forward it”, click Delete to remove the filter.

Tip: If you’ve used bulk unsubscribe apps, they may have added filters that archive promotional or newsletter emails.

Step 2: Check Forwarding Settings

In the same Gmail settings, switch to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.

1. Look under “Forwarding”:

   • If it says mail is being forwarded to another address, and you don’t recognise that address, click Disable forwarding.

Step 3: Check Blocked Senders

1. Scroll to the bottom of the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab.

2. You’ll see a list of all blocked email addresses.

3. If someone you expect to hear from is on this list, click Unblock next to their name.

Filters and blocks take effect silently and apply to all devices simultaneously. Fixing them here should restore the expected delivery immediately.

4. Emails Delivered to Spam Instead of the Inbox

Sometimes, expected emails end up in your junk or spam folder. This can happen if you've accidentally marked a sender as spam or if your email provider automatically flags certain domains or formats.

If you find the missing email in Spam, mark it as Not spam to move it back to your inbox. This also helps prevent similar messages from being flagged in the future.

5. Gmail App Not Syncing on Mobile Devices

If Gmail looks up-to-date on your browser but not on your phone, the app may have stopped syncing in the background. This is common after system updates, low battery mode, or if background activity is restricted.

What to check on Android:

• Go to Phone Settings → Accounts → Google → [Your Account] → Turn on Gmail sync

• Open the Gmail app → Tap menu → Settings → Your account → Make sure “Sync Gmail” is checked.

What to check on iPhone:

• Go to Settings → Mail → Accounts → Gmail →  Confirm the Mail toggle is on.

• In Settings → Battery, disable Low Power Mode if it’s active.

• Make sure your device has enough storage space available.

6. Gmail Not Updating in Browser? Check Extensions, Cache, or Version

If you’re using Gmail in a browser and it’s not showing new emails, the issue may be local. A few browser-level issues, such as an outdated extension or corrupted cache, can prevent Gmail from refreshing, even if your internet connection and account are functioning properly.

Here’s how to rule out browser-side disruptions:

• Test in Incognito Mode: Open Gmail in an Incognito or Private window. If it loads correctly, something in your main browser, likely an extension or cookie setting, is interfering with the process.

• Disable Extensions: Ad blockers, email trackers, and privacy-focused extensions can break Gmail layouts or background sync. Disable all extensions, then reload Gmail. Re-enable them one by one to isolate the culprit.

• Clear Cache: Outdated or corrupted cache files may block Gmail’s scripts. Clearing your browser cache forces Gmail to reload clean assets and reset your session.

• Update or Switch Browsers: Use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. If Gmail still doesn’t work, try another browser—this quickly confirms whether the issue is tied to one browser.

7. A Security Issue May Have Changed Your Gmail Settings

Google occasionally flags suspicious activity, such as sign-ins from unknown locations or unauthorised app access, and may quietly adjust specific settings to protect your account. When this happens, email delivery can be affected without any visible alert.

If you’ve suddenly stopped receiving emails, it’s worth checking whether Gmail made background changes to filters, forwarding rules, or access permissions after detecting a security risk.

Start with your Google Account Security Page:

Go to myaccount.google.com/security and review the following:

• Recent security activity: Look for sign-ins from unusual locations or devices

• Third-party app access: Revoke access to apps you don’t recognise

• Recovery email and phone: Make sure they’re up to date in case Google needs to verify access

Also Read: Comprehensive Guide to Email Security Solutions

8. Gmail’s Servers Might Be Down (Rare, But Possible)

Gmail outages are rare, but when they occur, new emails may not arrive or display correctly across devices. These disruptions typically affect multiple users simultaneously and are often caused by temporary server-side issues. 

To confirm, visit the Google Workspace Status Dashboard and check the Gmail row for any red or yellow indicators. If there’s an ongoing outage, Google typically posts live updates on the issue and its resolution timeline.

9. Sign Out and Sign Back In to Refresh Gmail Sync

Sometimes, Gmail stops syncing correctly due to a session timeout or background error, especially if your browser has been open for days or your app has been updated in the background. 

In these cases, a full sign-out and sign-in cycle can reset Gmail’s connection to the server and restore incoming email.

• On desktop, click your profile icon in the top-right corner of Gmail and select Sign out. Then sign back in using your Google credentials. 

• On mobile, remove the Gmail account from your device’s mail settings, then re-add it. This forces Gmail to resync your entire inbox and can fix issues where mail appears stuck or delayed.

This step is often overlooked but solves persistent sync issues where all other settings appear correct.

10. Still Not Receiving Emails? Contact Google Support

If you’ve tried all the steps above and still can’t receive new emails, the issue may be account-specific or server-side, something only Google can resolve. 

This is especially true if your account has been flagged for unusual activity, storage glitches, or delivery restrictions that aren’t visible in your settings.

Visit the  Google Account Help Center and follow the guided support flow. You may be asked to verify ownership or provide recent account activity to escalate the issue.

Wrapping Up

Email delivery issues are rarely random. They’re caused by filters, settings, device sync limits, or account-level changes, and can often be fixed in under 10 minutes. If your Gmail is still down after running all 10 checks, don’t hesitate to escalate it through Google’s official support flow.

Once your inbox is back on track, it’s worth taking a step further: prevent overwhelm, missed replies, or hidden threads before they pile up.

NewMail AI is an AI-powered Gmail assistant designed to help you stay organised, focused, and in control of your inbox every day. From summarising threads to helping you triage what needs your attention, it’s built for professionals who deal with high volumes of mail.

Try NewMail AI for free and start turning your inbox into a productivity system, not a source of stress.