Cannot Download Attachments from Gmail? See The Solution Here!

  author
Written By Mohit Jha
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On September 28th, 2023
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

In this write-up, we will resolve the commonly asked query of many Gmail users “Can’t Download attachment from Gmail”. We have provided two solutions below, which will help you in resolving your problem. If you cannot download Gmail attachments in Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser, then the solution will work for all browsers.

M. Rodrigo on the Google support forum asks – Hello, I don’t know why, but I am unable to download attachments from gmail in Chrome. I have tried to clear the cache and storage space, but the problem still persists. I have tried to contact Google Support, but no help from their side also. Can somebody resolve this problem, I urgently required the save all attachments from bank statements of the past few years.”

Sakura Yuki on Firefox Support asks – I cannot download any attachment from my Gmail account. I am currently using Firefox (76.0.1 version) on Windows 8.1. Although saving emails in Google Drive and then downloading them locally works fine, I have to waste so much time on it and it’s too frustrating to do. Tried clearing cache, disabling antivirus and ESET smart security web, and all email protection, but still no luck. Can anybody tell me, if there is any other way?”

 

Navigation Panel

Why a User Cannot Download Attachment From Gmail?

There can be several reasons why a user gets this issue of Gmail failed to download attachment. We have pointed out some common reasons here:

  • Insufficient Storage space to allocate when downloading the Gmail data.
  • Stable Internet Connection is missing
  • File Type and Size limitations Exist

Solution #1: To Download All Attachments From Gmail

There are many users who can’t download attachment from Gmail in different browsers, some of them support Google and some don’t. If you cannot download attachments from your Gmail account in Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser, then a quick way is to solve the problem is by taking help a third-party software. Utilities like SysTools Gmail Backup Tool allows user to extract attachments from Gmail in bulk.

However, the new Gmail Offline will maintain only emails from last 90 days so, it becomes difficult for the users to access the emails previous to that in offline mode. Apart from this, sometimes users also want to download Gmail emails to computer and move it anywhere they want.

Users can easily save Gmail emails with attachments as PDF on their local computers and use the attached files for their work. This way you will get emails and their attachment in order and will help you easily share or access these attachment files.

Instant Steps to Download Gmail Attachments

  • Step-1. Install and enter the details to log in
  • Step-2. Select the categories to export.
  • Step-3. Choose PDF as the exporting type. 
  • Step-4. Use Filters if needed.
  • Step-5. Press the Start button to back up Gmail attachments.

Steps to Download Attachments From Gmail account:

Here are the guided steps to resolve can’t download attachment from Gmail issue.

  • Install & Login into the Software if you are unable to download attachments from Gmail. Login: Can’t Download attachments from Gmail
  • Select Category as “Email”, Email-format as “PDF”. can't download attachments from Gmail - solution
  • Browse the destination location and apply the filter to back up the selected ones.Apply Filter
  • Click on the Start button to begin the backup process and resolve the issue of can’t download attachment from Gmail.  Can't download all attachments from Gmail
  • Step 5: Open PDF files and save the required attachments.  Gmail Attachment Cannot Download

Note: If you only wish to view the attachment in Gmail then you can download all emails at one place in any format available in the software and use a free range of viewers to preview them.

Solution #2: 6 Ways to Resolve ‘Can’t Download Attachment From Gmail’ Issue

In case you don’t wish to spend a penny and have a lot of time to resolve the Gmail failed to download attachment issue, then you perform the following 6 things that might resolve your problem.

1. Check for the Supported Browser – There are a few browsers that don’t support Google services. If you are using Opera, Maxthon, Vivaldi, etc., browsers, then try to switch to Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, etc.

2. Update the Current Browser – If you are on supported browsers, then try to update the browser to the latest version. Go to Help or Settings and update the browser version from there.

3. Clear Browser Cache – Try to clear the browsing history, cache, and junk files from your browsers and try again.

4. Turn Off Antivirus – It might be possible that your antivirus is restricting the files to be downloaded at your system through your Gmail account. Try to turn Off the antivirus settings temporarily from Antivirus Settings.

5. Turn Off Labs Settings – Gmail provides multiple experimental settings in Gmail labs. If you have enabled many lab settings, turning off a few settings might fix the attachment issue. The following are the steps to Disable Labs Settings in Gmail.

  • In the Gmail account, click on Gear Icon, then go to Settings, and select the Labs tab.
  • In the available lab options, click on Disable radio buttons and click on Save Settings.

6. Don’t save encrypted pages to Disk Setting should be off – The other reason for being unable to download attachments from Gmail is due to enable the function “Do not save the encrypted page on Disk”. Following are the simple steps to disable these settings:

  • Click on the Windows button on the keyboard and type “Internet Option” in the search bar.
  • In the Internet Options window, Go to Advanced Settings
  • Now, uncheck do not save the encrypted page on Disk option & click OK.

Note: There is a good chance that by following it you might be able to resolve your problem. However, if the “gmail attachment not downloading” problem still persists, then we highly recommend using method 1 as a solution.

Why Should We Care?

If you need to access or share the attachment file urgently, and you face can’t download attachments from your Gmail account, then it will be a problem. To resolve can’t download attachment from Gmail problem, we have provided two solutions, the first solution guarantees to work, whereas solution two might work (an unknown error might also be a problem).

The only possible case, where both of the methods will not work, is when a sender sends the message with Confidential Mode ON. Even in Gmail, you will not be able to download, print, or save the attachments of an email.

FAQ

Q1. Why I am getting this Gmail attachment not downloading issue?

There can be certain reasons for this most common ones are:  Internet Connection is not good, Storage space insufficient and file size restrictions.

Q2. Can I use this tool if I am facing the Gmail failed to download attachment issue?

Yes, this software is made to get the backup of the Gmail emails with attachments, contacts, calender, Docs etc

Q3. Does this tool help in taking the backup/ download attachments from multiple Gmail accounts?

Yes, using this tool you can easily download attachments from multiple Google accounts (login details will be needed)

  author

By Mohit Jha

Mohit is a Microsoft-certified expert who has assisted thousands of clients with Outlook & Microsoft Office 365 issues. He enjoys writing on email clients as well as data migration. He is always excited about giving troubled readers the most up-to-date knowledge, explanation, and refinements.

Banner