Read time: 7 minutes
Gmail is the most preferred email client due to its wide accessibility. It is accessible in any web browser. Additionally, many like me configure and use Gmail in desktop email clients that support the IMAP and POP protocols. I am using Gmail in Outlook due to its offline work capability. But recently, when I opened Outlook to check today’s agenda, I got this “imap.gmail.com”. I immediately called my IT system head to resolve the issue.
While he was doing that, I asked him why I got this error. Is it something that I did, or is it due to a fault from the backend server?
Reasons leading to Imap.gmail.com isn’t Working
There are multiple reasons that lead to the IMAP Gmail not responding issue, the primary ones he told me are:
- You’ve configured incorrect server settings in your email client.
- You are working on outdated or incompatible software.
- There is poor internet connectivity, blocking IMAP access.
- IMAP access is not enabled within the Gmail account settings.
- Gmail is blocking IMAP access due to security concerns.
- You are using a corrupted email profile in your email client.
How to resolve Imap.gmail.com isn’t working?
After covering the reasons, let’s discuss the methods he used to fix ‘imap.gmail.com not responding’ issue. But before we reach the long answers, I want you to try these quick hacks first:
- Check internet connection:
This is the first thing he checked. Believe me, often a slow or no internet can lead to imap.gmail.com error. - Restart email client:
Another quick fix that works for many is a simple email client restart.
If the above two are no help, try the solutions below.
Solution 1: Check email client version
Sometimes, there is nothing wrong with your Gmail account, but the error “Imap.gmail.com isn’t Working” is due to the email client you’re using. The client applications, like Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird, can have multiple email accounts. They also use different modules and variables. If any other account is corrupt or the software version being used is outdated, there’ll be issues for other accounts.
To resolve the ‘imap.gmail.com not responding’ error, check and update your email client.
Solution 2: Update Bad SSL settings
The SSL certificate provides the necessary security to the incoming/outgoing messages. If there are any bad changes in the settings or the license for a professional SSL certificate has expired, you might see the error “Imap.gmail.com isn’t Working”. Check the current SSL certificate and update it. Several third-party vendors provide multiple types of certificates for professional usage. You can purchase anyone and add it to your email client app.
Solution 3: Enable Google Workspace Gmail IMAP Settings
The IMAP setting in Gmail acts as a bridge that sends and receives emails smoothly. In a standard Gmail account, these are enabled by default. But, if you have a Google Workspace account, you must enable it manually or ask the admin. To resolve the mail server imap.gmail.com is not responding issue, enable IMAP settings in Gmail with these steps:
- Log in to the Gmail account and go to its Settings.
Note: Make sure you are signed into the Google Workspace account and not your personal account. - In the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab, then click the Enable IMAP option.
Click Save changes.
Once enabled, you will be able to access the emails using your email client. However, if the ‘IMAP Gmail not working’ issue is still there, proceed to the next method.
Solution 4: Verify Gmail IMAP settings in your email client
If IMAP is already enabled or you are still getting the imap.gmail.com error after enabling it, check the IMAP settings for Gmail in your email client. Maybe a major update resets the configuration, or you are dealing with a corrupt Outlook profile (if using Outlook).
Depending upon the email client you are using, steps to verify IMAP details are different. Refer to the official documentation for that client to get the latest steps. But, if, like me, you are using Outlook, access the Gmail IMAP configuration like this:
- Open Outlook, click File > Account Settings > Account Settings
- Select your Gmail account and click Repair.
- Tick the ‘Let me repair my account manually’ option and click Repair.
- View the incoming IMAP setting and verify if they match these values:
- Incoming Mail (IMAP) Server: imap.gmail.com
- Requires SSL: Yes
- Port: 993
- User name: Your full email address
Solution 5: Disconnect and reconnect the Gmail Account
It is the final way to remove the error related to the IMAP accounts. When the account shows an error, you remove the Google account from the email client and add it again. Just like the above, refer to the official documentation to know the steps to remove and reconfigure the Gmail account. Outlook users can follow the steps below to do it:
Delete Gmail Account in Outlook
- Click File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings.
- Choose the account and click Remove.
- A warning message will appear that if you remove the content, its offline cached content will also get deleted. Click Yes.
Connect Gmail account in Outlook
- Click File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings.
- Click the New option.
- Under Advanced options, you need to provide an email address and password. Let the account connect with Outlook.
- Under Manual options, you need to provide an email address, password, incoming web server, outgoing web server.
- After connecting your account, you can click Send/Receive All Folders and check if you can sync your G Suite account with Outlook without issue.
Final Thoughts
In most cases, removing and adding the Google Workspace account will fix imap.gmail.com not responding issue, at least it did in mine. But, in some rare events, corruption in the email client also causes the issue, and if not fixed on time, can cause permanent data loss.
To avoid such situations, you must always keep a complete backup of your Google mailbox data. For the backup you can either export the emails manually or make use of a professional G Suite backup tool for easy bulk mailbox backup.
A recommended choice is the Kernel Google Workspace Backup and Restore software. It allows quick and accurate backup of all your mailboxes from one or multiple Google Workspace accounts. Moreover, the tool even allows you to restore the emails from a backup whenever you want.
Frequently Asked Questions You Should Know
Answer: This error is seen in Thunderbird or Outlook applications when you try to access your IMAP-enabled Gmail mailbox with incorrect server settings. You may also experience this issue due to a slow/ unstable internet connection or outdated email software.
Answer: Verify the correct server settings to configure Gmail account as mentioned below:
Incoming settings:
Incoming IMAP server address: imap.gmail.com
Port number: 993 with SSL/TLS
Outgoing settings
Outgoing IMAP Server address: smtp.gmail.com
Port number: 465 or 587 with SSL/TLS
Answer: In Gmail, Port 993 is for IMAP over SSL (secure), meaning it encrypts the data. While the Port 143 is the old standard non-encrypted IMAP port, which Google does not accept because of security concerns.
