How to Check if Your Gmail Is Working

[Alice Cook]

This article explains how to check the Google Status Dashboard to determine if Gmail is down, plus how to access the Gmail Help Center for solutions to frequently occurring issues. These instructions apply to the desktop version of Gmail.com.

Check the Google Workspace Status Dashboard
If you have trouble with your Gmail account, the service may be disrupted or down completely. However, it could be just you. Before you take any other action, check the current status of Gmail.

Person checking Gmail status on a computer
Miguel Co / Contactforhelp
Go to the Google Workspace Status Dashboard.

Go to the listing for Gmail and look at the Current status column. A green button next to Gmail indicates there are no known issues, an orange button indicates a service disruption, and a red button indicates a service outage.

Go to the current date for Gmail to read comments. If the button is green, you are the only one having a problem and should contact Gmail support for help. If the button is orange or red, Google knows about it, and there's nothing to do until Google resolves the problem. Usually, when the button is red or orange, there's an indication of what is going on or when it might be fixed.

Screenshot of outage dot on Google's G Suite Status Dashboard
Subscribe to the Status Dashboard RSS feed in an RSS feed reader to receive up-to-date status reports.

Go to the Gmail Help Center
Before you contact Google for help, look at the Gmail Help Center to see solutions to frequently occurring problems with Gmail.

A screenshot of the Gmail Help Center.
Select Fix a problem and choose the category that matches the trouble you are having. Categories include:

Gmail messages are missing
Unwanted or suspicious emails
Loading & display
Account
Can't sign in to Google account
Sync & import
Rejected messages
Switching to Gmail from Microsoft Outlook

You may find a solution at the Help Center. If not, contact Google.

How to Report an Issue to Google
If you encounter a problem that's not on the Gmail not working Help Center list, report it to Google.

In Gmail, select Support (question mark).

In Gmail, select Support (question mark).
Select Send Feedback.

Select Send Feedback from the Support list
In the Send feedback window, describe your issue.

Include a screenshot of the problem, if you have one, then select Send.

Note: Send Feedback window in Gmail with Send highlighted
Use the provided tools to hide and highlight things in your screenshot.

A technician will respond and assist you with the problem.

Note: If your Gmail is part of a paid G Suite account, you have additional service options that include phone, chat, and email support.