How to Fix Gmail Not Being Delivered to Outlook on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Sometimes, emails from your Gmail account may not appear in Outlook on your Windows 11 device. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on Outlook for managing your emails. Fortunately, there are several straightforward ways to fix this delivery issue.

In this guide, we will walk through simple, step-by-step solutions to help you get your Gmail messages delivered properly to Outlook. Each step is explained clearly to make the troubleshooting process easy for everyone.

Whether you are new to Outlook or a seasoned user, these tips will help you identify the cause and resolve the problem effectively. Let’s start with some quick checks before diving into detailed fixes.

By following the instructions carefully, you should be able to restore smooth email delivery from Gmail to Outlook on your Windows 11 PC.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Internet Connection: Make sure your Windows 11 device is connected to the internet. Without internet access, Outlook cannot receive new emails.
Correct Gmail Account Setup: Confirm that your Gmail account is properly added to Outlook with the right login credentials.
App Password or OAuth Authentication: If you use two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Gmail account, ensure you have set up an app password or use OAuth to allow Outlook access.
Check Gmail’s Web Version: Log in to your Gmail on the web to confirm that new emails are arriving correctly there. This separates Gmail server issues from Outlook problems.

Step 1: Verify Gmail Account Settings in Outlook

First, check that your Gmail account is correctly configured in Outlook. Incorrect settings often cause emails not to sync.

Open Outlook on your Windows 11 device.
Click on File in the top-left corner.
Select Account Settings and then click Manage Profiles.
Choose Email Accounts and select your Gmail account.
Click Change to review settings.
Check the incoming mail server is set to imap.gmail.com and the outgoing mail server is smtp.gmail.com.
Ensure the username is your full Gmail address and the password is correct.
Click More Settings and go to the Advanced tab.
Verify that the incoming server uses port 993 with SSL enabled, and the outgoing server uses port 587 with TLS enabled.
Save changes and test the account settings.

Why this is important: Using the wrong server or port settings can prevent Outlook from connecting to Gmail servers, stopping email delivery.

Step 2: Enable IMAP in Your Gmail Settings

Outlook uses IMAP to synchronize emails with Gmail. If IMAP is disabled in Gmail’s settings, Outlook won’t receive messages.

Open your web browser and go to Gmail.
Sign in with your Gmail account.
Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select See all settings.
Navigate to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
Scroll down to the IMAP access section.
Select Enable IMAP.
Click Save Changes at the bottom.

Why this is important: Outlook relies on IMAP to access your Gmail inbox. Without IMAP enabled, your emails won’t sync.

Step 3: Check Your Windows 11 Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Sometimes, security software on Windows 11 can block Outlook from connecting to Gmail servers.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection.
Click Allow an app through firewall.
Look for Microsoft Outlook in the list and ensure both Private and Public checkboxes are checked.
If Outlook is not listed, click Allow another app and add Outlook manually.
Also, check your third-party antivirus software to ensure Outlook is not blocked or restricted.

Why this is important: Firewalls and antivirus programs protect your computer but can sometimes mistakenly block legitimate apps like Outlook.

Step 4: Update Outlook to the Latest Version

Running an outdated version of Outlook can cause compatibility issues with Gmail.

Open Outlook.
Click on File > Office Account (or Account).
Select Update Options > Update Now.
Allow the update process to complete, then restart Outlook.

Why this is important: Updates include bug fixes and improvements that ensure better connectivity with email servers like Gmail.

Step 5: Re-Add Your Gmail Account in Outlook

If the above steps don’t work, removing and re-adding your Gmail account can refresh the connection.

In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
Select your Gmail account and click Remove.
Confirm the removal.
Restart Outlook.
Go to File > Add Account.
Enter your Gmail email address and follow the prompts to sign in using OAuth (Google’s secure sign-in method).
Complete the setup and check if your emails are delivered.

Why this is important: Sometimes, account credentials or settings get corrupted. Re-adding the account ensures a clean, fresh connection.

Alternative Method: Use Gmail’s App Password

If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Gmail account, Outlook may not connect using your regular password.

Go to your Google Account Security Settings.
Under Signing in to Google, select App Passwords.
Generate a new app password for Outlook.
Use this generated password when Outlook asks for your Gmail password.

Why this is important: App passwords allow Outlook to access your Gmail account securely without compromising your main Google account password.

FAQs

Why are some Gmail emails not showing up in Outlook?

This might happen if IMAP is disabled in Gmail, or if Outlook’s sync settings are incorrect. It could also be due to firewall or antivirus blocking the connection.

How do I know if Outlook is syncing with Gmail?

You can check the status bar at the bottom of Outlook for sync progress, or send a test email to see if it arrives.

Can Gmail filters affect email delivery to Outlook?

Yes, Gmail filters can archive or delete emails before Outlook syncs them. Check your Gmail filters to ensure important emails are not being filtered out.

Is it better to use IMAP or POP with Gmail in Outlook?

IMAP is recommended because it syncs emails across devices, while POP downloads and removes emails from the server.

What if Outlook keeps asking for my Gmail password?

This usually indicates authentication issues. Setting up an app password or using OAuth sign-in can resolve this.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix the problem, consider the following options:

Visit the official Microsoft Outlook Support page for advanced troubleshooting.
Check Google’s Gmail IMAP Troubleshooting guide.
Try accessing Gmail using the Outlook web app (Outlook on the web) to see if the issue is related to the desktop app.
Consider reinstalling Outlook or resetting your Windows 11 network settings if connectivity issues persist.

Conclusion

Fixing Gmail not being delivered to Outlook on Windows 11 usually involves checking account settings, enabling IMAP, and ensuring proper authentication. Starting with basic checks and moving to more advanced steps helps identify the root cause effectively.

Remember to keep your Outlook updated and confirm that firewalls or antivirus programs are not blocking connections. If you use two-factor authentication, app passwords are essential for smooth access.

By following this guide carefully, you can restore Gmail email delivery to Outlook and continue managing your emails without interruptions.