Question

How to Fix the Gmail Wont Attach Files Error?

Please let me know how to fix the Gmail wont attach files error. I am facing some issues while trying to attach file in Gmail. Help me.

Tymal Boult 1   Ans 2 months ago
Answer - 1
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Fix the Gmail Wont Attach Files Error:

In the universe of messaging and file transferring through emails, Gmail is probably the most preferred option but due to a variety of reasons “Gmail won’t attach files error” issue can emanate especially when you are trying to send some data or other files using Gmail.

Friends, I also witnessed the “Gmail won’t attach files error” recently due to which I could not send one important file to another office location. When I tried to find a solution for this “Gmail won’t attach files error” issue I came across several reasons that could be attributable to the “Gmail won’t attach files error” pertaining to which I also found a whole host of feasible solutions to fix the “Gmail won’t attach files error”.

So, by sharing this unique guide I take this opportunity to share herewith possible reasons and feasible solutions for fixing the “Gmail won’t attach files error” issue.

Solution 1 - Disabling the Active Firewall

Your firewall may be disallowing you to send the files as attachments as the Firewall facility in your Antivirus software or embedded in your Windows comes with a built-in mail blocking mechanism that has the potential to ultimately hinder the sending of emails for certain security considerations.

To fix the “Gmail won’t attach files error” you just have to disable the System Firewall by adhering to the steps mentioned hereunder.

Step 1 - Initially, you just have to launch the “Run” dialogue box by simply pressing the Windows+R keys together.

Step 2 - After the “Run” dialogue box has opened just type “firewall.cpl” therein followed by pressing the Enter button.

Step 3 - Just navigate the left menu followed by turning the “Windows Defender Firewall” off under the public/private domain settings.

Step 4 - After selecting the preferred option just click on OK and then close the Window or the dialogue box.

Solution 2 - Disabling the Proxy Server Settings

Many a time it may happen that you may have enabled the proxy server settings to access the prohibited web server or content that may have actually caused the “Gmail won’t attach files error”.

So, in such a scenario you just need to disable the proxy server settings by following the steps mentioned hereunder.

Step 1 - Here you just have to jointly press the Windows+S buttons to bring up the search bar on the screen.

Step 2 - Now just type in “internet options” followed by choosing the Internet Options from the long list of different results.

Step 3 - Just click on LAN settings after you have gone on to click on the “connections” tab.

Step 4 - Now you must resort to opening the Local Area Network settings followed by deselecting the “Use proxy server for your LAN” option.

Step 5 - Now click on the Ok button followed by clicking on Apply option and thereafter again clicking the OK button.   

Solution 3 - Sending Files within the Permissible Limits 

It may have also happened that you may be sending the files beyond the allowed limit related to specific files. In general, the cumulative file size of one single mail must not go beyond 25MB. So if your files are in excess of 25 MB then you must compress them with the objective of bringing the cumulative file size below 25 MB.

Solution 4 - Removing All Cache and Cookies

Many a time deleting all Cache and Cookies can serve as a panacea for fixing the “Gmail won’t attach files error”. So, to get this done simply execute the following steps.

Step 1 - Primarily open one tab on your Google Chrome browser followed by clicking on three vertical dots visible on the top-right corner of the screen.  

Step 2 - Now go to “More Tools” followed by clicking on the “Clear Browsing Data” to open the dialogue box that provides options to delete the “Cookies, Cache, and Browsing History”.

Step 3 - Now select the time span for which you want to delete the cookies, Cache, and Browsing History” followed by ticking the check-boxes related to Cookies, Cache, and Browsing History.

Step 4 - Finally, click on the “Clear Data” option to ultimately remove the Cookies, Cache, and Browsing History in a bid to fix the “Gmail won’t attach files error”.  

Solution 5 - Running the Internet Browser in Incognito Mode  

It may also be possible that several internet extensions may be hindering you from sending files as attachments. To fix this up you must run your internet browser in “Incognito Mode”.

So, to run the browser in Incognito mode just click on the three vertical dots being displayed on the top-right corner of the internet browser followed by clicking on the “New Incognito Window”.

Solution 6 - Updating your Operating Drivers

If you have tried attaching some or the other files stored on some external media, it may have given rise to the “Gmail won’t attach files error” issue. In such a scenario you must ensure that all the related drivers are properly updated.

But please note that searching specific drivers from the company’s official website may exhaust your huge time and effort. So, in this situation, you may resort to updating most of your devices using a third-party auto-updater that may help you fix the “Gmail won’t attach files error”.

Solution 7 - Sending Files Using the Mobile Application

If you find problems sending files using your desktop Gmail utility then as an alternative you may resort to sending files using the mobile app. This may not surely help you fix the “Gmail won’t attach files error” on your desktop but can definitely provide you with a feasible alternative for sending files using Gmail.

Mick Jone 15 July 2022