Gmail glitch – an example to follow

Once again Google demonstrates the proper way to handle issues.  Due to their software update, some users temporary lost access to emails.  Instead of hiding and silencing, Google published a blog post explaining the issue, as well where and when more information would be available.  Not to mention that loss of service is an extremely rare occasion, and loss of data is even more so.  This time, it seems, all data is recoverable from tape backups.  All it takes is a little time.

Imagine the sinking feeling of logging in to your Gmail account and finding it empty. That’s what happened to 0.02% of Gmail users yesterday, and we’re very sorry. The good news is that email was never lost and we’ve restored access for many of those affected. Though it may take longer than we originally expected, we’re making good progress and things should be back to normal for everyone soon.

In times like that, keeping your users up to date is vital.  All the press releases and marketing newsletters in the world won’t buy you a fraction of the trust that a simple blog post during the downtime will bring you.

17 thoughts on “Gmail glitch – an example to follow”


  1. I am experiencing for the last to days, limited use of my email. As far as I know the emails are there, but I cannot open them or delete conversations. Have shut down the computer, but doesn’t seem to help. What can I do.


    1. Relax – google is working on it, and they’ll have a solution soon. You won’t be locked out for long. Note that I am NOT an employee of google, but they’re a good mail service, and I’ve used them for years, and you can trust them

      The problems is NOT with your computer, so restarting it is hardly going to help


  2. I am unable to get into my email. I typed in my password and was denied. Tried several times with no luck. What the hell is going on. So much stuff to fill out to reset. Very complicated. SHould be a lot easier. Trouble is on your side. FIX IT>


  3. I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY GMAIL ACCOUNT FOR SEVERAL DAYS N OW AND IT IS FRUSTRATING. I’VE HAD THE SAME PASSWORD FOR YEARS NOW GOOGLE WUN’T ACCEPT MY PASSWORD. SAYS I WILL BE MAILED A NEW ONE. D-UUH, IF I CANT ACCESS MY ACCOUNT HOW AM I SUPPOSED GET NEW PASSWORD.


    1. they’ll send you a new password on your ‘alternative email’ address – you know, the emergency address that you give them when you sign up. If you no longer have that email, then you have a problem.


  4. I`m glad someone else is going through this shit. I am only new to computers so it was very confusing and frustrating to be told your user name and password were incorrect and on top of that i had changed my password from the original so ididnt know what was going on. Then to go through the process of recovering information that was in my gmail mail that i couldnt see, oh boy. Any way i`m still locked out and dont know what to do. Help!!


    1. Relax – google is working on it, and they’ll have a solution soon. You won’t be locked out for long. Note that I am NOT an employee of google, but they’re a good mail service, and I’ve used them for years, and you can trust them


  5. I find it amusing that people complain this bitterly about a free service. And also how some are assuming that this page is a conduit to Google. LOL


  6. I can get to my email inbox but nothing works after that. Nothing opens, no password denials, messages, nothing. There are no boilerplate answers in online help and no option to email or call Google. Even went to Google office but they won’t let you in. Next?


  7. An example to follow?! That a bezillion dollar company with some of the world’s most expensive stock is not willing to hire anyone to help with problems not on their short “help” list? A company that does not even allow emails? A company whose receptionist laughs at you standing, utterly frustrated, outside their locked doors?
    Google customer service is an oxymoron. This is the future, folks. Be very afraid.


    1. Jeff, I’m not sure what you are talking about. Google is hiring crazy amounts of people every year. Year after year. Who else do you want them to hire? And how does hiring more people helps to solve all problems? No matter how many people work for the company – the bugs will always be there. And while most other companies are trying to hide their issues, keeping silent during outages and such, Google is pretty open. At least users have a way of finding out what is going.


      1. I want them to hire people to help with unusual problems. I don’t think you were paying attention. There is no way to email them for help. There is no phone number. I went through the whole series of “online help” prompts, checking each box that asks if this step fixed the problem “no”, got to the end of the string with no luck, and was then advised to go to online help!!! Duh.
        How did I “have a way of finding out what was going (on?)”
        They may hire millions of people a year for x, y, and z. But they don’t offer help.


  8. Antone else experiencing this problem, i have had it since yesterday and have no idea what to do. Any help in soving would be appreciated.

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