Gmail and Outlook Sync Issues Frustrate Users as Workarounds Remain the Only Fix

Google Workspace and Outlook users have recently encountered persistent synchronization issues when connecting Gmail accounts. In many cases, email folders like Inbox, Sent, Trash, and All Mail have stopped updating correctly within Outlook, even though everything appears to function normally on the Gmail web interface.

These problems seem to stem from recent changes in how Gmail handles authentication. Older login methods that use basic username and password combinations are increasingly being blocked. Outlook users relying on these methods may find their Gmail accounts failing to sync unless they switch to more secure login protocols. To make matters worse, specific Gmail settings—such as IMAP access and visibility for certain folders—must also be manually enabled to ensure emails and labels sync properly.

Users have discovered several temporary fixes. One common workaround is to remove and re-add the Gmail account using updated login methods that allow secure access, often involving OAuth or a generated app-specific password. Adjusting Gmail settings to ensure labels are set to “Show in IMAP” can also help restore syncing for missing folders.

Switching to the newer Outlook interface that connects directly to Google’s API has helped some users regain email syncing functionality. However, this option isn’t always available, particularly on mobile versions of Outlook, which has forced some users to fall back on using the Gmail app instead.

On desktop, more advanced solutions involve clearing Outlook’s local cache, repairing the application, or resetting account profiles entirely. While these steps can be tedious, they have worked for users who need a more reliable fix and aren’t afraid to dig into system files or reconfigure their email accounts.

So far, there hasn’t been a universal fix rolled out. While updates have addressed related bugs in Outlook, the Gmail sync issue remains dependent on users adjusting their account setups manually. This highlights the delicate balance between improving email security and maintaining seamless integration across platforms.

For now, users facing issues should double-check Gmail IMAP settings, use the latest version of Outlook, and consider re-authenticating their accounts with updated methods. In the meantime, using Gmail’s native web or mobile apps may offer a more consistent experience until broader improvements are implemented.

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