How to Fix “imap.gmail.com is Not Working” Error- Quick Guide

Gmail or Google Mail is a mostly used and user-friendly email platform. Even while taking backup from other email clients, Gmail serves as a medium. That’s where IMAP connects Gmail to all IMAP-enabled platforms, like Outlook, Thunderbird, etc. At the same time, IMAP is an Internet protocol. In this context, its main function is to let other email clients access Gmail mailbox data. However, there are situations when the ‘imap.gmail.com not working’ error occurs.

What is imap.gmail.com?

Before you get to know about the troubleshooting methods, here is an insight into imap.gmail.com in this context:

“imap.gmail.com” is the IMAP server address for Gmail. It is used by various email platforms such as MS Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc. Moreover, this works on port 993 with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption. This lets you read email messages of Gmail without having to download them permanently.

So, when imap.gmail.com is not responding, your email client cannot fetch emails from your Gmail mailbox.

Why is imap.gmail.com Important for Email Access?

This table will clear most of your doubts regarding the imap.gmail.com is not working error. You will get to know how imap.gmail.com is related to and impactful on Gmail. Have a keen look and understand it:

Aspect	IMAP (imap.gmail.com)
What it is	IMAP bridges Gmail and external apps like Outlook
Function	If IMAP fails, your email app can’t read or sync Gmail
Data Storage	Helps in real-time email access, saving device space
Configuration Requirement	Misconfiguration is a common reason IMAP stops working
Security Controls	Missing permissions or app password causes IMAP failure
Access Mode	IMAP allows you to use Gmail even when the browser isn’t open
Backup Support	If IMAP is broken, automated backups can fail
Common Error Cause	Both ends (Gmail and IMAP client) must be configured correctly to avoid failure

A Quick Zist: IMAP protocol works like a translator between Gmail’s cloud and your destination email client. It can be problematic to sync emails between two platforms.

How Can I Fix ‘imap.gmail.com is Not Working’ Error?

In this section, we have discussed various troubleshooting tips for this error that you can try one by one. However, before choosing the right procedure, you must ensure the real cause of it.

1. Fix Your Internet Connection

The first thing a user should try is checking the internet connection. Because an unstable or poor internet often interrupts syncing or such operations. To fix it:

• You can restart your router, or many users like to switch to a stronger network.
• Better you avoid public Wi-Fi use or connecting to hotspots with poor bandwidth.
• Also, evaluate your internet speed using any online tool like Speedtest.net.

2. Update Outdated Email Client Version

Another significant reason for the error ‘imap.gmail.com cannot be verified’ can be an outdated email app. This may cause compatibility issues with Gmail’s IMAP settings. So, update the email client you are configuring the Gmail account into.

For MS Outlook:

1. Open Outlook > File > click on Office Account > find Update Options.
2. Click on Update Now if any recent updates are available.

For Mozilla Thunderbird or Others:

Simply, visit the Mozilla website and download the latest version. However, be careful. If your email client is facing corruption issues, you may need to reinstall it completely.

3. Verify IMAP Settings in Gmail

You can also resolve imap.gmail.com is not working error by verifying IMAP settings in Gmail. There may be instances where the user unknowingly disabled or forgot to enable IMAP. Follow these steps to turn on IMAP:

1. First, open Gmail on your browser and log in to your account.
2. Click on the Gear icon > and then on See All Settings.
3. Now, look for the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab in Settings. Open it.
4. Under the IMAP Access section, select the Enable IMAP option.
5. At last, click on Save Changes.

4. Re-Check IMAP/SMTP Configuration

Use this table to verify that your email application is using the correct Gmail server settings:

Type	Server Address	Port	Encryption
IMAP (Incoming)	imap.gmail.com	993	SSL
SMTP (Outgoing)	smtp.gmail.com	465 or 587	SSL/TLS

Moreover, enable authentication for the outgoing server (SMTP) to prevent the imap.gmail.com is not responding error. Furthermore, recheck your Gmail address that you provided as the username.

5. Use App Password or Allow Only Less Secure Apps

Sometimes, Google may block connections from older applications due to security concerns. So, you can fix it by:

• Visit ( https://myaccount.google.com/lesssecureapps.)
• There, enable Less Secure App Access (Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled, this setting may be disabled by default.)
• If you have set 2FA on your Gmail account, create an app password to log in. This App password lets you configure accounts securely, so do not use your real account password.

6. Update SSL Encryption Certificate

If your SSL certification is outdated or invalid, this can also break the connection between Gmail and another email client. So, you must ensure that:

• SSL encryption is enabled in your client.
• Also, use the correct ports as given in the table above.
• If your client reports any SSL issues, update the certificate.

7. Remove and Add Your Gmail Account Again

If the issue of imap.gmail.com is not working still persists, remove the account encryption and re-configure it. Do as the steps follows:

1. If using Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
2. Here, select the added Gmail account > Click on Remove.
3. Add account again > Use Manual Setup to enter IMAP settings
4. Once you have re-added, click on Send/Receive All Folders to sync.

How to Prevent imap.gmail.com is Not Responding Errors?

You must follow these measures to ensure this does not happen in future again:

• Make sure you create regular backups of Gmail data using backup tools or Google Takeout.
• Additionally, you must avoid frequent switching between devices while emails are syncing.
• It’s very important to maintain sufficient Gmail storage, as low storage space may affect the sync process.
• And, finally, use the updated security protocols like OAuth2 or App Passwords.

Conclusion

This write-up is all about how to resolve imap.gmail.com is not working error. We have tried our best to get all your queries answered, and you may get rid of this easily. The blog described multiple manual troubleshooting steps to fix the error; however, not always work. Therefore, one can use backup software to directly import Gmail emails to Outlook or Thunderbird. No more configuration complications, nor fear of data loss.

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