Gmail’s Not Letting Me Attach Files: a Common Scenario
As if you haven’t been busy enough at work, your email is now throwing a tantrum and preventing you from attaching files.
Your co-worker (or worse, boss) is looking for a new pitch deck. You suddenly blurt out, “but Gmail is not letting me attach files!”
The good news is that this is an imaginary scenario. The bad news is that it’s a very likely one, especially if Murphy’s Law is well and truly around the corner as your presentation looms.
Preparation and foresight are key. To prevent this from happening, this article covers common issues with Gmail attachments, steps to resolve the situation immediately, and how to attach a file in Gmail without any drama.
Issue 1: Gmail’s Not Allowing Attachments
Gmail is personally my favorite email service. Everything is so clean and intuitive. That said, it isn’t always perfect. And one of the common issues that irks me is when Gmail’s not letting me attach files.
It can be frustrating when this happens, especially if you’re under the pump and you need to send an email pronto. Instead of playing detective and trying to piece together what should’ve been a quick Monday morning task, I’ve put together a list of common reasons why Gmail sometimes just won’t let you attach files, and easy troubleshooting you can do.
File size limit
Gmail’s got some email limits — and for attachments, it’s got a 25 MB cap. If your file’s bigger than that, no dice. So the solution is pretty simple: make sure your attachment is less than 25 MB.
If your attachments exceed the limit, Gmail makes things easier by automatically converting your file into a Google Drive link.
If you prefer the old school way or got extra time in your hands — preferring your recipient to see the attachments straight away than downloading a Google Drive link — you can compress the file (say a heavy PowerPoint deck) into a PDF format or remove high resolution images from within the document.
Browser drama
Your browser may be the reason why Gmail is acting up. The good news is that this issue has an easy fix: clear the browser cache.
If you’re using Chrome, all you need to do is click on the three vertical dots on the upper rightmost corner of your window, then go to Delete browsing data… (or go to Settings → Privacy and security → Delete browsing data).
You can proceed with your preferred way of deleting the cache — in terms of time range and which data you like to delete.
To ensure all bases are covered, I’d suggest going for the Basic tab. Under the “Time range”, choose “All time”. Then tick all three boxes, like so:
Device drama
Sometimes, the problem boils down to the app on your smartphone. Make sure your Gmail app’s up to date. If you’re using Android, check the Google Play Store. If you’re using an iPhone or any iOS device, check the App Store.
Firewall or proxy
These can block Gmail’s attachment function, leaving you stuck. You might need to tweak them to let Gmail upload attachments, or just switch them off temporarily to see if they’re the troublemakers.
File type no-gos
Gmail blocks certain file types (like .exe files) for security reasons. There’s no other way to fix this but to attach a file that Gmail deems safe.
⚠️ File types blocked by Gmail are: .ade, .adp, .apk, .appx, .appxbundle, .bat, .cab, .chm, .cmd, .com, .cpl, .diagcab, .diagcfg, .diagpkg, .dll, .dmg, .ex, .ex_, .exe, .hta, .img, .ins, .iso, .isp, .jar, .jnlp, .js, .jse, .lib, .lnk, .mde, .mjs, .msc, .msi, .msix, .msixbundle, .msp, .mst, .nsh, .pif, .ps1, .scr, .sct, .shb, .sys, .vb, .vbe, .vbs, .vhd, .vxd, .wsc, .wsf, .wsh, .xll
Dodgy internet
A shaky or slow connection can mess with your ability to attach files. A quick fix is to either restart your modem or find an alternative Wi-Fi connection.
Account woes
If your Google account is locked or restricted, attachments might be off the table. You can start fixing the issue by trying to sign out, then logging into your Google account again. If this doesn’t sort things out, you may want to get in touch with Google’s customer or tech support.
Settings shenanigans
If you’ve tweaked your Gmail settings or added filters, they might be blocking attachments. Have a squiz at your settings by doing the following:
Head to Settings (the gear icon) and check the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab for anything dodgy blocking attachments—tweak or delete as needed.
While you’re there, have a scroll through the General tab to make sure nothing weird, like email forwarding, is messing things up.
Lastly, double-check options like “Chat and Meet” and “Keyboard shortcuts” to keep everything running smoothly. Just make sure they’re all configured correctly.
Can’t Attach a File in Gmail? Clear Out Clutter with Clean Email!
Sometimes, the reason why you’re experiencing attachment issues on Gmail is the amount of large files and buildup of attachments that only slow down the performance of your inbox.
Technically speaking, you can fix this “storage full” issue by removing emails with large attachments that no longer serve you. However, if you have thousands of messages in your inbox, doing this could take forever.
Clean Email makes light work of decluttering your Gmail inbox, especially when it comes to those large or outdated attachments that take up precious space — and it’s available on iOS, Android, Mac, and as a web app for easy inbox management anywhere.
The Cleaning Suggestions tool is a game-changer for keeping your inbox under control. It gives you smart tips based on how you’ve handled similar emails before or what’s popular with other users. The best bit? It sorts suggestions by the number of messages from each sender, so you can tackle the biggest inbox offenders first — whether that’s trashing, deleting, or organising them in bulk.
➡️ Try Cleaning Suggestions for free
Smart Folders also make managing large emails and active senders easy. These pre-set filters group emails by common parameters like size, sender, recipient, and other factors.
You can even favorite the ones you use most (like the Large Mail filter) for quick access.
Another handy tool is the Auto Clean feature, which lets you set up rules to automatically manage incoming and existing emails. For example, you can create a rule to delete old, large promotional emails after a certain period or move them to a specific folder. This way, Clean Email keeps your Gmail running smoothly without you lifting a finger.
Of course, you can use the Unsubscriber feature to stop newsletters from clogging things up again. That’s how you can easily unsubscribe from emails on Gmail (or block them altogether). Especially those you signed up for on a whim.
It’s all about setting systems and automations in place so you won’t have to think about doing all the hard work. And that’s how you stop email overwhelm before it starts!
Issue 2: Can’t Download Attachments from Gmail
It’s easy to download attachments on Gmail. Just either of these two options works:
- Click on the attachment itself, then the Download icon in the upper right corner.
- Hover the mouse over the file and click the Download icon.
But if neither of these work, then we’re probably dealing with potential attachment issues, like the following:
Browser compatibility
If you aren’t using Chrome, Firefox Edge, or Safari, then you might want to try any of these supported browsers. Gmail may not be allowing you to download because your browser isn’t the most compatible with it.
Suspicious file types
If the file type seems unfamiliar to you, it’s likely a suspicious attachment. Gmail may be preventing you from downloading it as part of security measures. This may be all for the best as it helps you avoid all the troubles associated with phishing emails (believe me you don’t want this happening to you, not even to your worst enemy.)
Extensions interfering with the download
To check if this is the reason you can’t download attachments, try using your browser in incognito or private mode. If doing so lets you download the file, try disabling or uninstalling your extensions. You can also try clearing your browser cache and cookies as described above.
Issue 3: Can’t Open Attachments in Gmail
This issue is very similar to the one before (where you can’t download attachments in Gmail). The only difference is that even when you’ve already downloaded the attachment, it could be slow to open or just frozen for longer than usual.
The main reason for this issue typically boils down to internet connection. Your connection may be playing up, so you may want to try restarting your router or modem, or connecting to an alternative wifi.
You may also want to double-check your antivirus settings, as it might be blocking certain attachments. In this case, it’s probably all for the best; the attachment might be a form of malware or virus. Best to check with your IT administrator. If you’re using your own laptop, you may want to consider not opening the file at all — especially if coming from a spam or subscription email.
Issue 4: Gmail Attachment Button Not Working
Another issue is that the attachment button on Gmail just magically disappears. There might be a few reasons why that’s happening, and a few workarounds, too. If you’re on a desktop, give these troubleshooting steps a crack and let us know how you go:
- Make sure your browser’s up to date.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies, then log back in and test.
- Disable all browser extensions, scripts, and add-ons, then restart your browser.
- Try using the Gmail Basic HTML Inbox.
- Test in Chrome’s incognito or Guest mode.
- Give it a whirl in another updated browser like Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
- Temporarily turn off your antivirus or firewall (but don’t forget to switch it back on after testing).
- Test on a different device or with a second Gmail account.
- If it works on another device or browser, try resetting Chrome settings or running a malware scan to rule out any dodgy programs.
FAQs
How to attach a file in Gmail on your phone?
Attaching a file on your phone is a breeze. Open the Gmail app, start a new email, and tap the paperclip icon. From there, you can choose files from your phone’s storage, Google Drive, or even snap a photo on the spot.
Why can’t I attach a file in Gmail on my Android?
If Gmail’s giving you grief on your Android, it’s usually down to a dodgy internet connection, a file that’s too big, or a format Gmail doesn’t like. Double-check your Wi-Fi or mobile data, make sure the file’s under 25MB, and that it’s in a supported format like PDF, JPG, or DOC. If all else fails, try clearing the Gmail app’s cache or updating it to the latest version. You can also clean up your Gmail inbox.
Why is my Gmail not sending emails with attachments on Android?
Check your internet connection, update the Gmail app, and make sure your file is under 25MB. Clearing the app cache can also help.
Why can’t I attach files in Gmail on Mac?
On a Mac, attachment issues are often browser-related. Make sure your browser’s up to date, clear your cache and cookies, and disable any extensions that might be causing trouble. If you’re using Safari, try switching to Chrome or Firefox to see if that does the trick.
How to attach a folder in Gmail?
Gmail doesn’t let you attach entire folders directly, but there’s a workaround. Just zip the folder first (right-click and select “Compress” or “Zip”), then attach the zipped file to your email.
What to do if there was an upload error in Gmail?
Refresh Gmail, check your connection, and clear your browser’s cache. Try compressing large files or switching to Gmail’s Basic HTML view.
What to do if I’m unable to attach files in Gmail?
Confirm the file size and type are allowed, clear your browser’s cache, and update your app or browser. Try another device if needed.
