Gmail is one of the most used email services provided by Google. Like other modern email services, Gmail supports file attachment. You have to upload files that will be added to the email you send. It is convenient for sending or sharing attachments over the internet.
While attaching files, you might often encounter an error message showing that Gmail attachment failed, although your attachments meet specific criteria. Such an issue appears due to different causes. So there is no single fix available to resolve it.
A few effective solutions are discussed in this article to guide you through the available fixes. You need to follow them properly to resolve issues related to Gmail attachment.
Fixes For Gmail Attachment Failed Error!
There might be something wrong with your browser or plug-in that fails to attach files to Gmail. Here some tweaks are discussed below, following these methods you might get rid of this issue in sometimes.
Solution 1: Update The Flash Plug-In
The first thing you need to do is to check if your flash plug-in version is outdated. The default attachment uploader uses Flash to upload files. The older version of Flash might not work anymore or is no longer supported by the uploader service. Follow the steps below to check if your Flash plug-in is up-to-date:
- Open the Adobe official website where you find the latest Flash version. You may also click on get Adobe Flash player update list to open the latest Flash update list.
- If you find any pending update for your Flash plug-in, click on Get Adobe Flash Player to install the latest version.
- Press the Install Now button, and the Adobe Flash Player will be installed on your computer in a few minutes.
- If you don’t have the Flash enabled in your browser, go to Google Chrome Settings menu and click on Advanced option at the bottom.
- Again click on Site Settings option and locate the Flash option.
- Click on the toggle button to enable the Flash. It generally shows a blue color when Flash is active.
Now check if Gmail allows you to attach files. If the updating doesn’t work for you, there are few more solutions you should check.
Solution 2: Disable Browser Extensions
Sometimes the browser extensions create problems while uploading files to Gmail. Extensions block Gmail to attach documents. It might be helpful if you try to attach files after disabling the browser extensions temporarily. If you are using the Google Chrome browser, go to the browser settings and click on the More tools option.
Then select the Extension option from the context menu. Now disable all extensions by clicking on each of the toggle buttons.
Also, make sure that Gmail has permission to access your emails. If the error still appears, continue with the next solution provided below.
Solution 3: Update Your Browser
When you are using an outdated browser, you might experience the Gmail attachment failed error. To fix this issue, check if you have your browser updated already. If not, then you should install browser updates to minimize the possibility of getting an error while attaching files to Gmail.
In case you use the Google Chrome browser, follow these instructions below to update your browser:
- Click on the three-dot icon on the top right corner of the Google Chrome browser.
- Locate the Help option below and click on it.
- Select About Google Chrome option from the drop-down menu.
- About Google Chrome window will open, and any available updates will be downloaded automatically.
- Relaunch the browser after the update completes.
Now check if the browser update worked for you to resolve the issue.
Solution 4: Try Using Another Web Browser
Sometimes, opening Gmail on a different web browser resolves the Gmail attachments not working issue. You should try this method once to check if it works. Open another web browser, such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari, and log in to Gmail. Then try to attach a file to an email.
If the problem resolves after using a different browser, then you should remove your current browser and start using that browser where you can attach files to Gmail.
Solution 5: Disable The Proxy Server
Often you can’t attach files in Gmail due to a proxy server. In order to fix the error, you need to disable the proxy.
Follow the steps below to disable the proxy server:
- Click on the Start icon and type Control Panel in the search box.
- Select the Control Panel app from the search result.
- From the Control Panel window, select Network and Internet option.
- Click on the Internet Options from the next window appears.
- Shift to the Connections tab.
- Press the LAN Settings button.
- Here you will find the Proxy server If enabled, uncheck the box beside ‘Use a proxy server for your LAN’ option.
- Click on the OK button to save the settings.
Following this process will make your proxy server disabled. Now you shouldn’t be unable to attach files in Gmail.
Solution 6: Turn Off The Windows Defender Firewall
If the firewall interferes while attaching files to email, it may show you as Gmail attachments not working. You should temporarily turn off the Windows Firewall to check if the firewall was the culprit.
To know the process of how you can turn off the firewall, click on how to disable firewall In Windows 10.
Solution 7: Update The Driver
If the error still continues, you should check whether there is any pending update available for your driver. According to user reports, they found pending driver updates that were causing the Gmail attachment failed to attach. Sometimes outdated drivers prevent attaching files from the external storage device. So it is recommended to check if any pending update appears for your driver.
To know the process of checking the driver updates and installation, click on update your device driver using Device Manager.
Conclusion
Now you know why the Gmail attachment failed and what should you do in order to fix the issue quickly. Which of the above solutions worked for you? Let us know by commenting below. Still, you are unable to attach files in Gmail, feel free to tell us here.