Mac Mail not working: Top 6 problems Mail app users encounter

why is mac mail not working?

with a new macos available, some mac users have had problems with mac mail after trying to update their macos. the problem was reported in several recent versions of macos.

If you are experiencing any of the issues listed below, we have solutions to get your mac mail working as it should. Despite many improvements over previous operating systems, not many changes were made to the mail application in big sur and monterey.

However, there were numerous reports of the app crashing or crashing, which is why fixes and workarounds are currently needed to ensure the mail app works as it should.

here is a series of problems and 9 fixes for those who have run into unexpected problems with mac mail.

1. mail doesn’t start since macos update

This is one of the most common problems that people keep encountering, and it seems that the solution is also quite simple.

fix: start mac mail app from your apps

If Mail launches that way, drag the icon out of the Dock. Once that has vanished, drag the icon — a copy of it will be made —back into the Dock. Then close Mail and attempt to open it again via the Dock. Providing that works, your problem is fixed.

2. mail blocking

Now, if the above solution doesn’t work and mail hangs or runs slowly, there are other ways to get it working smoothly again. no one can be without access to email for long!

fix 1: force quit mail app

do this as usual, and if that doesn’t work, continue to the next step.

Fix 2: Reset the Mail app

One of the quick fixes that works in 99% of cases is to “reset” the mail app. we use cleanmymac x for this operation. it does not remove the program itself, but returns it to its default state. this operation resolves many application conflicts and incompatibilities. furthermore, your user files are kept safe and are not affected.

To enable this feature, you need to perform a preliminary step: open the cleanmymac x preferences.

have you installed cleanmymac x? ok let’s go :

1. open cleanmymac x.
2. in the top left menu, go to preferences.
3. click the ignore list and select the uninstaller.
4. uncheck the box “ignore applications from the system”.

Now, you are ready for the reboot procedures. just do the following:

1. start the uninstall tool in cleanmymac x.
2. choose the mail app in the list of apple apps.
3. click the uninstall button with arrows; this reveals the reset button.
4. click reset.

Fix 3: Delete saved Mail states

If the above solutions don’t work, let’s start deleting some old state files on your mac.

this requires going to the hidden folders in your library.

1. Open Finder > Go to Folder…
2. Now hold the Option key and Select Library to open these folders.
3. Find this folder: Containers > com.apple.mail > Data > Library > Saved Application State
   

   

1. within that, move this folder to the trash: com.apple.mail.savedstate
2. empty the trash and try restarting mac mail as usual.

Important: Make a backup of the mentioned folder so that you can recover it if something goes wrong.

If that worked, you can restart mail and it should work fine. if not, there are other solutions below, and some that don’t involve as much digging inside library folders and files, which aren’t always that easy to find for those who aren’t advanced mac users.

3. missing mail folders

In some cases, these problems have caused the loss of mail folders; without them, the app won’t work, so there are workarounds that most users can manage without too much trouble to get the mail app working again.

fix: check your mail connections

1. open the mail application.
2. go to the window in the top menu and click on connection doctor.
3. this will show if there are problems connecting to the mail application.
4. now double check your account settings and remove and re-add your mail account to reset this.
5. your mail app and all emails should be accessible again.

4. Mail app is slow

Sometimes your mail is slow because you have to deal with tons of open windows buried under other applications.

fix: merge mail windows

Specifically for this, your email client has a lesser-known command called “merge all windows”:

• click mail > window
• now, choose “merge all windows”
• close redundant windows to minimize the memory impact of your mail. hopefully, it will be more agile.

5. Mail app junk

As described above, there are a number of fixes for mail not working. some of them require a certain amount of technical confidence and know-how. It’s also worth noting that deleting the wrong folder or file within the library could accidentally disable another app. but luckily there is software that can fix it all for you.

fix: clean mail attachments

cleanmymac x is an apple notarized mac maintenance application. It is developed by MacPaw, the creators of various productivity tools for Mac. the latest version of cleanmymac has tools to help you fix mail problems, beyond other things.

1. download cleanmymac x free edition.
2. click on the email attachments.

Now, if you click Scan, the app will search for unnecessary files in Mail it can delete.

now open the mail again; it should work like new.

6. mail app not working on mac

sometimes the mail app just won’t open. To solve the problem, first check the internet connection. the thing is that the app needs a strong signal to open and work properly. you can easily do this by clicking on “connection doctor” as described above.

if it doesn’t help, we have other solutions for you.

fix 1: check application folder

here, just check if your application is in the right place. it should be in the applications folder.

To do so, follow these steps:

1. go to the search engine and navigate to the applications.
2. find mail. if the app isn’t there, find its location using the focus feature.
3. To find the app, just type “mail” and drag it from the current location to the Applications folder.
4. Lastly, restart your mac and the Mail app.

Fix 2: Update macOS

Sometimes apps don’t work because some vital updates are missing. they can go along with a newer version of macos.

to update macos, do the following:

1. Go to Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
2. Move to System Preferences.
3. Open Software Updates.
4. Click Upgrade Now if new macOS versions are available.
   

   

As we mentioned earlier, cleanmymac x is a really useful mac performance enhancement application. It comes with a host of features and tools that enhance the performance of a mac and can get your mail app back up and running without stress or taking a long time. I hope you get mail again. stay tuned for more mac tips.