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How to Fix “Unable to Open Attachments in Gmail” Error?

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Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On October 15th, 2024
Reading Time 8 Min Read
Overview: Are you thinking about why you are unable to open attachments in Gmail, whether you are using Gmail in your browser, Android phone, iPhone, Windows, or Mac computer? The reasons are simply with your Gmail account or your device.

But worry not! Today we are here to talk on this topic only. We will discuss multiple solutions to fix why can’t i see attachments in Gmail without downloading errors, the major reasons, and how you can easily resolve it. So, if you are ready, then let’s begin.

Errors like being unable to open attachments in Gmail can be challenging for users whether they are professional or personal Gmail account users. Gmail is one of the most common and widely popular email service providers which can be accessed from anywhere at any time just by having an internet connection.

However, if your Gmail not opening attachments then you should immediately resolve it as it may hinder the functionality of your Gmail account in several ways. The next paragraph will help you to know the common reasons behind this issue so you can understand the way to easily tackle it.

Why Can’t I See Attachments in Gmail Account?

Before knowing the solution, it is very important to understand the root of the problem. Why users are not capable of doing this task. There are multiple solid reasons, why you are unable to open attachments in Gmail like maybe your attachment size is large or might be you have an unsupported file extension of the attachment. Reasons can be anything, some of them are explained below in detail:

  • File Size Limitations: Large-sized attachments are challenging to open in Gmail due to some size restrictions
  • Unsupported File Formats: Google can accept many file types. However, you can’t open attachments in Gmail without downloading that are unsafe or dangerous.
  • Browser or Extension Issues: Browser settings or the extensions installed can also impact the working of Gmail and you may find it difficult to open the attachments.
  • Network Connectivity Problems: Due to a slow internet connection, you can also encounter errors like being unable to open attachments in Gmail.
  • Outdated Browser or Gmail App: Compatibility problems are likely to occur when using an old version of your browser or the Gmail app. This can also result in Gmail not opening attachments.

How to Open Attachments in Gmail?

  • Step 1: Launch and start the solution.
  • Step 2: Enter login details of Gmail.
  • Step 3: Select the needed data files/folders.
  • Step 4: Choose Extract Attachments as saving type.
  • Step 5: Select the path with Browse button.
  • Step 6: Lastly, click on the Backup icon.

Before following these steps, go and check out the alternate solution for more details to fix the “unable to open attachments in Gmail without downloading” error.

How to Fix “Unable to Open Attachment in Gmail” Account?

Here we will explain the possible techniques, that can fix this issue. Read all the information first, and then start the process:

#1: Try to Update Browser

Let’s start with the basics if you are using an outdated version of the browser. Then you might not be able to open attachment in Gmail account. Follow the steps to fix this error:

  1. Open your browser.
  2. Click on the “Three Dots”.

    Three Dots

  3. Choose “Help” >> “About Chrome”.

    About Chrome

  4. Update if there is any update available.

    unable to open attachments in Gmail

  5. Please, restart your browser,

And after that try to open the attachments in Gmail once more.

#2: Fix “Open Attachments in Gmail without Downloading”

Antivirus or Windows Firewall might prevent you from opening Gmail attachments. This can be resolved by turning off the Windows Firewall to see if this solves the problem.

  1. Click on the “Win + S” keys.
  2. Search for “Windows Defender Firewall”.
  3. After that, click on the “Enter” icon.
  4. Select “Turn Windows Defender Firewall On or Off”.
  5. Check the “Turn Off Windows Defender Firewall” for both private and public network settings.
  6. Lastly, click on the “OK” icon.

After disabling the Antivirus, try to open attachment in Gmail account again.

#3: Clear Cache and Cookies of Browser and Gmail App

A corrupted cache and cookies can lead to the improper functioning of Gmail and show errors like being unable to open attachments in Gmail. This can be fixed by clearing the browser or Gmail app cache.

For Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge:

  1. Open the Clear browsing data panel.
  2. From the Time range menu, choose “All Time”.
  3. Select “Cookies and Other Site Data” and “Cached Images and Files”.
  4. Press the “Clear Data” button.

For the Gmail App:

  1. Tap and hold the “Gmail” icon for some time and then select the “Info” icon.
  2. Navigate to Storage, then press “Clear Cache”.

#4: Check Advanced Settings

Some settings incorporated in the advanced Gmail may pose challenges. Turn off these features if you are struggling to open the Gmail attachments.

  1. Launch Gmail and click on “See All Settings”.
  2. Move to the “Advanced” tab and turn all the options off.

#5: Disable Browser Extensions

Sometimes, browser extensions don’t allow users to see attachments in Gmail accounts. So, disable all extensions and try downloading attachments again.

  1. Click on the “Extensions” from the top.
  2. Turn off the toggles next to each extension.

Restart your browser and see if you can download attachments. Re-enable extensions one by one to identify if they are unable to open attachments in Gmail without downloading issue is resolved or not.

#6: Try to Sign in and Sing Out Gmail Account

Logging out and then logging back into your Google account may help to eliminate mishaps that may contribute to being unable to view attachments in Gmail problems. You can click on the Profile and choose Sign Out option.

On Android Phone:

  1. Open the Gmail app and on the top right corner, tap on your profile photo.
  2. Click on “Manage Accounts” on this device.
  3. Select the Google account of your choice and tap on the option that says “Remove account.”

On iPhone:

  1. Tap on Gmail and navigate to the home screen.
  2. Tap on the profile picture.
  3. Select the “Manage Accounts on this Device” option.
  4. Click “Remove from this Device.”

#7: Allow Background Data Usage

If background data use is disabled then Gmail can face problems in opening attachments. To fix the inability to open attachments in Gmail on iPhone and Android phones, follow the steps given below:

For Android:

  1. Press and hold the Gmail app icon then hit the info icon.
  2. Click the Mobile data toggle and ensure that the switch for ‘Allow background data usage’ and ‘Allow data usage while Data saver is on.’ is activated.

For iPhone:

  1. Launch phone Settings.
  2. Scroll down to find the Gmail app, and tap on it.
  3. Turn on “Background App Refresh”.

#8: How to Fix “Unable to Open Attachments in Gmail” Automatically?

Still, if you are unable to see the attachments, then you should install RecoveryTools Gmail Backup Tool installed open and view attachments. No matter whether your account is working or not or facing an error, this software lets you open Gmail attachments in any situation.

It is easy to use and can also open Gmail attachments in bulk or download attachments from multiple Gmail accounts. This solution provides a separate option to extract only attachments in their original file extensions.

Once you have this amazing tool, errors like being unable to open attachments in Gmail without downloading can never impact your workflow. You simply need to install this professional’s recommended software, enter your Gmail account credentials, and select from which folders you want to view the attachments. After this, simply save the results wherever you want and open them. It works on all the versions of Mac and Windows OS.

How to Open Attachments in Gmail Automatically?

  1. Download and start the solution on your system.

    unable to open attachments in Gmail

  2. Enter email address of your Gmail account and hit on the Sign in with Google option.

    email address of your Gmail account

  3. Put the normal password of your Gmail and Next icon.

    normal password of your Gmail

  4. Grant the all required permissions and click on the Continue icon.

    all required permissions

  5. All the folders and subfolders will load on the screen and check the needed data files from here.

    folders and subfolders

  6. Click on the Select Saving Option and choose Extract Attachments option from the appearing list.

    Select Saving Option

  7. You can apply the required filters from “Filter Options” tab.

    required filters

  8. Browse the desired location to save your resultant output using Browse (Folders) icon.

    desired location

  9. Lastly, click on the Backup button for solving “unable to open attachments in Gmail” error.

    unable to open attachments in Gmail

  10. Live process will start on the screen, and a confirmation message will appear and click on the OK button.

    confirmation message

Conclusion

So finally, we reached the end of the article after discussing several techniques to fix the “unable to open attachments in Gmail without downloading” error on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone devices. We hope the above methods work for you. However, if the manual techniques seem too technical for you to fix and can’t see attachments in Gmail error, then you can simply use the tool that professionals usually recommend.