Gmail Messages Are Stuck in Sending on My Android

The Basics

The most basic check is ensuring you have an Internet connection. If you're not online, your emails will remain stuck with a Sending status indefinitely. Look for data indication icons along the status bar, which is at the top of the phone's display. If you're connected using your provider's cellular network, you should see a green 'E,' '3G' or '4G' icon. If you see those icons but they're white, you don't have an active Internet connection, which could be the problem. If you're connected by Wi-Fi, you should see a green triangular icon indicating the strength of the signal. If you don't have an active connection, you may need to find a better location where you can get a stronger signal or locate a Wi-Fi network. If you are online, another basic fix you should try is to manually refresh your inbox. While viewing your inbox, press the 'Menu' button and tap 'Refresh.' Often this prompts your phone to finally send your emails. Lastly, you should try reopening the email by pressing the 'Menu' button, selecting 'Go to Labels,' then tapping 'Outbox' and then the email itself. Tap the 'Send' button again and wait to see if Gmail will transmit your message.

Auto-Sync

Your Android device has an option that controls background data usage. Background usage is the data that apps transmit and receive without explicitly asking your permission. This includes Gmail receiving and sending emails, Android checking for app updates and various social applications updating feeds and statuses. Disabling this feature reduces your data usage but can keep Gmail from sending your emails until you manually refresh the inbox. To turn this back on, go to the Home screen and press the 'Menu' button; then select 'Settings,' 'Accounts & Sync' to reach the Background Data option. After you successfully send your Gmail messages, you can always disable the background data usage if you prefer.

Device Reset

If your phone settings seem to be correct and you still can't get Gmail to send a message, try resetting your device. This frequently clears up minor errors that may keep your phone from functioning properly, and resetting the phone does not cause you to lose any unsent messages. Press and hold the power button or the 'End Call' button, depending on which button your device has; a list of options appears in a couple of seconds. Tap 'Power Off' to turn the device off. After a few moments, press the power or 'End Call' button again to power it back on. The full startup process may take a few minutes to complete.

Clear Cache

Occasionally apps experience errors that you can correct by clearing the cache. Cached data is information that's temporarily stored on your phone for the app, and if you clear it out, you can sometimes correct obscure errors. You won't lose important data by clearing the Gmail app's cache. Press the 'Home' button to reach the Home screen; then press the 'Menu' button and tap 'Manage Apps,' then tap the 'All' tab. Scroll down to the Gmail app and tap it. Now you can tap the 'Clear Cache' button if it's available; wait a moment for the process to complete. You can also try tapping the 'Clear Data' button, which is on the same screen as the Clear Cache option, but keep in mind that clearing the data can permanently delete some of your saved data, possibly including drafts, unsent items and custom signatures.