What to Do When Gmail is Running Slow

If Gmail is extremely slow, whether loading your inbox, adding attachments, or simply typing emails, it can be aggravating. We’ll explain common problems, ways to improve its speed, and how to stop Gmail from running slow. You’ll also learn how Clean Email can boost Gmail’s performance long-term.

Check Your Internet Connection

One of the simplest explanations for Gmail loading slow or not at all is a lost or weak internet connection. If this is the case, you’ll likely notice a slowdown with other websites you visit.

Confirm that you’re connected to the internet and check that connection including your wireless router and other equipment. You can also contact your internet service provider for any known outages in your area or to report a problem in your location.

Visit the Google Workspace Status Dashboard

One quick way to make sure there isn’t a problem on Google’s side is to check the Google Workspace Status Dashboard. This is especially useful if you’re experiencing issues with other Google services.

Visit the Google Workspace Status Dashboard webpage and look for the green checkmark next to Gmail for the current day. This means that Gmail is up and running.

Visit the Google Workspace Status DashboardVisit the Google Workspace Status Dashboard

If there is a problem and Gmail has a slow connection, you’ll see an orange exclamation mark for a service interruption or a red X for a service outage.

Reduce Your Mailbox Size

If your internet connection and Google’s services both check out, then the problem can be your Gmail inbox size. When you reach your storage limit, you can experience Gmail loading slow. But you may also notice Gmail uploading attachments slow or even being unable to send or receive emails.

One of the fastest ways to clear out your Gmail inbox is with the Clean Email app. Using Clean Email, you can easily mass delete messages, take advantage of Cleaning Suggestions, unsubscribe from mailing lists, and use automation for organization moving forward.

Bulk Deletion: You can mass delete emails you no longer want in just a few steps. Unlike Gmail, you don’t have to continuously scroll to load and select additional messages.

Select All emails on mobile using Clean EmailSelect All emails on mobile using Clean Email

📌 Just use a few clicks or taps to remove hundreds or thousands of emails at one time, either by moving them to Trash or permanently deleting them.

Mass delete emails on mobile using Clean EmailMass delete emails on mobile using Clean Email

Cleaning Suggestions: You can also delete, archive, or mark groups of messages based on your previous actions. These recommendations can help you perform a quick and easy cleanup.

Cleaning Suggestions the smart feature of Clean EmailCleaning Suggestions the smart feature of Clean Email

Unsubscriber: You can remove yourself from those newsletters and marketing messages you don’t want with Unsubscriber. The best part is, you can unsubscribe from emails in bulk and all at once rather than one-by-one using the Gmail Unsubscribe button.

Mass unsubscribe from Gmail messages in Clean EmailMass unsubscribe from Gmail messages in Clean Email

Auto Clean: You can create inbox rules to automatically manage messages as they arrive. Whether you delete, archive, mark, or move, you can continue cleaning your inbox without lifting another finger.

Auto-Delete Old Emails with Attachments in Clean EmailAuto-Delete Old Emails with Attachments in Clean Email

All features are available on the web, desktop (for Mac), and mobile (both iOS and Android) Clean Email app. So, no matter where you choose to use Gmail, you can do a solid cleaning and use Gmail effectively with Clean Email.

Manage Your Web Browser

Another possible cause for Gmail running slow is the web browser you’re using. You may have an outdated version, need to clear your cache and cookies, or remove troublesome extensions.

Update Your Browser Version

Make sure that you’re running the latest version of your web browser. You can normally check for updates in your browser settings.

For instance, if you use Google Chrome, select the three dots on the top right and pick Settings. Then, choose About Chrome to see if you’re using the latest version or need an update.

📌 Why is Gmail so slow on iPhone or Android? If you’re using Gmail on a mobile device, you can check for app updates on the App Store for iPhone or Google Play Store for Android. You can also use the features above to clean out your Gmail inbox with Clean Email’s mobile app.

Clear the Browser History, Cache, and Cookies

Clearing out your browsing history, cache, and cookies improves loading time for websites and helps your device run faster. Additionally, it ensures you’re seeing the most updated versions of the sites you visit.

Using Chrome as an example again, select the three dots and pick Delete Browsing Data. You can then mark what you want to delete, such as history, cookies, or cache, along with the time range.

Disable Troublesome Extensions

Web browser extensions can be useful, but some can cause conflicts with certain websites. Also, extensions can slow down your web browser’s performance, which can make Gmail slow to load in some cases.

Using Chrome once more, select the three dots and pick ExtensionsManage Extensions. You can then see any problematic extensions or those that are no longer supported with options to disable or completely remove them.

📌 Tip: If after you check all of the above, take an action, and still can’t determine why Gmail is so slow in Chrome, Firefox, or another browser, try switching to a different web browser or use an alternative device.

Restart Your Device

When all else fails, a reboot of your system can often fix existing issues. Close your open applications, including your web browser, and restart your device. Once you boot back up, reopen Gmail and see if the problems are resolved.

Wrap-Up

If you’re struggling to figure out why Gmail is so slow to receive email or why Gmail has slow typing, try the methods listed here to speed it up. And remember that Clean Email is the ultimate tool for quickly reducing your mailbox size, decluttering your inbox, and keeping things organized long-term.


FAQs

Why is Gmail slow to sync on Android devices?

A common cause for Android Gmail slow sync is outdated app versions or excessive cache data. Ensure you have the latest version of the Gmail app installed and clear the app cache in your device settings.

How can I resolve Gmail sync issues with Outlook?

If you notice Outlook Gmail sync slow, verify your IMAP settings are correct in both Gmail and Outlook. Additionally, check for any connectivity issues and ensure your Outlook client is up to date.

Why is Gmail IMAP so slow on desktop email clients?

Gmail IMAP very slow issues often arise from large inbox sizes. Use Clean Email to delete old emails and free up storage, improving IMAP performance.

Why is Gmail slow on Mac computers?

Gmail may load slowly on Macs if the browser cache is full or extensions are causing conflicts. Clear your browser history and cache, disable unnecessary extensions, or try a different browser to improve performance.

Why is typing in the Gmail app so slow?

Typing in Gmail app is very slow when your device is running low on memory or has outdated software. Restart your device, check for app updates, and close unused background apps for better typing speed.

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