Mailspring Not Working? Here’s What I Did to Fix it

I still remember the day I faced the Mailspring not working issue. The app is not responding, and I was unable to send or receive any emails. As a working professional, I am completely dependent on emails for daily communication, and it was hampering my workflow. 

Over time, I have learned that there are many reasons behind this issue that I am going to discuss in this article, and I will help you with some troubleshooting steps to fix this issue. In this article, I will also discuss there is another issue that Mailspring is not syncing, which is correlated. I will share everything I personally do whenever Mailspring behaves oddly.

Why Is Mailspring Not Working?

Here are some reasons why the Mailspring not syncing issue happens randomly:

• Weak or unstable internet connection
• IMAP server timeout
• Wrong account credentials
• Antivirus/Firewall blocking Mailspring
• Damaged or outdated app installation
• Corrupted local data or cache
• IMAP authentication failed
• Email provider limitations or throttling

Most of the issues are fixable once you get to know about them. In the next section, I’ll explain how to get rid of the same.

Mailspring Syncing Issue – Why It Happens and How I Fix It

I realised that the Mailspring not syncing errors happen mostly when the IMAP connection fails. Resulting in emails not loading, delay in sending, etc.

Some steps that  I check first, and you can also do the same:

#Step 1. Check IMAP Settings

• Check if IMAP is enabled in your email account, and if not, enable it quickly.
• Verify incoming/outgoing server details.

#Step 2. Reauthenticate Your Credentials

If there are some changes in security policies from your email provider’s end, then Mailspring may stop syncing until you log back in.

#Step 3. Check Server Status

Sometimes there is an issue from your email provider’s end, so it is best that you contact them and ask if there is any outage before you remove IMAP account.

#Step 4. Clear Cache

Sometimes a corrupted sync cache can block real-time updates, so it’s best to clear it.

Fixing Mailspring Not Working: What Usually Works for Me

Here is exactly what I do when I face an issue with Mailspring:

1. Restart Mailspring: It is an easy and simple but most of the time restarting the app fixes minor glitches.
2. Restart Computer: Restarting the computer clears background processes that may conflict with Mailspring.
3. Disable VPN or Proxy: It often happens that Mailspring struggles with encrypted or restricted connections, so disabling it for some time may fix the issue.
4. Whitelist MailSpring in Anrivirus/Firewall: Security tools may misread email sync activity as suspicious, resulting in MailSpring not syncing.
5. Update Mailspring: Always use an updated version of the app.
6. Reinstall the App: This is my last shot, but it almost always works when nothing else does.

Advanced Fixes That Help Me Every Time to Fix the Mailspring Not Working Issue

Here are some advanced fixes that may work for you:

#Fix 1. Reset Mailspring’s Account Cache 

This removes all faulty sync data and forces a clean rebuild.

#Fix 2. Enable Less Secure Apps

Some email providers require this for IMAP to work

Check Port Members

• IMAP: 993 (SSL)
• SMTP:465/587

Incorrect ports can result in completely breaking syncing

Backup Emails Before Troubleshooting

Before doing any advanced fixes to resolve Mailspring not working or Mailspring not syncing, I prefer to back up my email first. It gives me a sort of relief that my data and important messages are safe. 

Advanced fixes to resolve Mailspring not working involve removing accounts from the app, reinstalling the app, and many more, which may result in data loss. So backing up the data is a wise decision everyone should take.

This is where I rely on the reliable and secure solution, i.e. SysTools IMAP Backup Tool. It helps me back up my emails safely and securely to formats like PST, MBOX, EML, PDF, and MSG. If the issue still continues, you can use the PST file to access your emails in Outlook or import the MBOX file into Thunderbird to keep working without interruption.

So, try now for free, and ensure the data is accessible even if your IMAP client is not working!

When to Contact Support Regarding the Mailspring Not Syncing Issue 

If the issue persists after doing all the fixes, I will reach out to:

• Mailspring support
• My email provider
• My IT admin ( If I am using my work email )

Sometimes there is an unknown issue on the server-side affecting the Mailspring; it may be due to some restrictions or a policy change that I am not aware of.

Author’s Verdict

I totally understand the feeling you are going through when Mailspring not working problems hampering your work. The good news is that most of the issues have simple and easy solutions that I have already shared from my own personal experience with you. 

Most of the time, the issue gets resolved with the fixes, but if the issue is recurring, I must suggest that you backup or archive IMAP emails and important messages is a wise decision, and to do it safely and securely, I have mentioned a tool that was a big help for me in my case.