How to fix Google Postmaster Tools not working?

Summary

Troubleshooting Google Postmaster Tools involves checking basic account access and domain verification, as well as technical issues like DNS records and browser compatibility. It's important to rule out temporary glitches or ongoing Google service outages. If UI issues persist, accessing the API can help. Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and IP reputation are critical for data visibility. Waiting for data propagation after changes and contacting Google Support for unresolved problems are advised.

Key findings

  • Account and Domain: Google Account required and sending domain ownership must be verified in Postmaster Tools.
  • Authentication and Reputation: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and a good IP reputation are crucial for data visibility.
  • DNS Configuration: Incorrect DNS TXT records are a common cause of verification problems; double-check for errors and propagation.
  • Service Status: Check the Google Workspace Status Dashboard for known outages affecting Postmaster Tools.
  • Temporary Issues: Glitches may be temporary, wait a few hours/days and retry.
  • Browser Compatibility: Trying a different browser or clearing cache/cookies may resolve display issues.
  • API Access: Access the API directly if the UI is broken.
  • Data Latency: Postmaster data is not real-time so wait.
  • Review Settings: Check settings to ensure the product/feature is enabled.
  • Alternate Access: Go back to the main "pick a domain" page, click on a different domain than the one you want, and then use the domain picker at the top of the resulting page to see the domain you're actually interested in.

Key considerations

  • Data Propagation Time: Allow 24-48 hours for data to propagate after changes before rechecking Postmaster Tools.
  • Contact Google Support: Contact Google Support for issues that can't be resolved through self-troubleshooting or report via the issue tracker.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

When Google Postmaster Tools is not working, several troubleshooting steps can be taken. These include trying a different browser or clearing cache/cookies, checking the Google Workspace Status Dashboard for outages, waiting for a few hours to see if temporary glitches resolve, ensuring the correct Google account with necessary permissions is being used, and attempting access via the API if the UI is broken. After implementing changes, waiting 24-48 hours before rechecking is advised. If problems persist, contacting Google Support, or checking the settings to ensure all features are turned on for the account are also suggested. As well as the workaround of 'picking a domain' in settings.

Key opinions

  • Browser Issues: Incompatibilities or cached data can prevent proper loading. Trying a different browser or clearing cache/cookies may resolve the issue.
  • Google Outages: Check the Google Workspace Status Dashboard to see if there's a known outage affecting Postmaster Tools.
  • Temporary Glitches: Sometimes, the tool may experience temporary issues that resolve on their own after a short waiting period.
  • Account Permissions: Ensure you are using the correct Google account with necessary permissions to access Postmaster Tools for the domain.
  • API Access: If the UI is broken, try accessing Postmaster Tools via the API for troubleshooting.
  • Settings: Ensure all features are turned on and configured correctly within the settings.
  • Workaround: Go back to the main "pick a domain" page, click on a different domain than the one you want, and then use the domain picker at the top of the resulting page to see the domain you're actually interested in.

Key considerations

  • Wait Before Rechecking: After implementing fixes, allow 24-48 hours for changes to propagate and data to update before reassessing.
  • Contact Google Support: If all other troubleshooting steps fail, contact Google Support and provide specific details about the issue.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests trying a different web browser or clearing the cache and cookies of your current browser. Browser compatibility issues can sometimes prevent the site from loading properly.

February 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing SubReddit recommends that after implementing any changes or fixes, wait 24-48 hours and then recheck the Google Postmaster Tools to see if the issue has been resolved before making more attempts. This can avoid un-needed changes.

October 2022 - Email Marketing SubReddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares a workaround to access Google Postmaster Tools when it's not working. They explain to go back to the main "pick a domain" page, click on a different domain than the one you want, and then use the domain picker at the top of the resulting page to see the domain you're actually interested in.

April 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Blog recommends looking in settings to ensure all features are turned on for your account. Sometimes a feature is turned off by accident. It could be something new, but make sure it is turned on and set up.

July 2022 - Email Marketing Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that Google Postmaster Tools is working again.

August 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Deliverability Forum suggests ensuring that the Google account you're using has the necessary permissions to access Postmaster Tools for the domain in question. Check if you are using the correct account with domain ownership verified.

December 2024 - Email Deliverability Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum recommends checking the Google Workspace Status Dashboard to see if there are any known outages or issues affecting Postmaster Tools. If there's a reported problem, the best course of action is to wait for Google to resolve it.

December 2024 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Technology Advice Blog mentions that sometimes Google Postmaster Tools experiences temporary glitches. They recommend waiting for a few hours or a day and then trying again to see if the problem resolves itself.

January 2022 - Technology Advice Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks Community recommends if the above steps don't work, to contact Google Support. Explain to them any specific issues that you are encountering.

June 2024 - Email Geeks Community
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow suggests if the UI is broken, attempt access via the API if you are technical. If you are able to get results you can then attempt to fix the UI. Look for the official Google Postmaster Tools API documentation.

January 2024 - Stack Overflow

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Both sources indicate that proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and a good IP reputation are crucial for Google Postmaster Tools to function correctly. Without proper authentication, the tool may not display data, even if sending practices are otherwise good. Consistently poor IP reputation can also hinder data visibility.

Key opinions

  • Authentication Required: Google Postmaster Tools requires proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to display data.
  • IP Reputation Matters: A consistently low IP reputation can negatively impact data visibility within Google Postmaster Tools.

Key considerations

  • Implement Authentication: Ensure that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured for your sending domain.
  • Maintain Clean Sending Practices: Avoid spam traps, high complaint rates, and other practices that can damage your IP reputation.
  • Authentication Validation: Confirm your Authentication settings are implemented correctly.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains Google Postmaster Tools won't show data without adequate authentication. If all sending practices are in place, you should still see 'something' even if those sending practices are poor. So ensure your Authentication settings are implemented correctly.

March 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that consistently low IP reputation can impact data visibility in Google Postmaster Tools. Implement proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and maintain clean sending practices to improve reputation.

January 2025 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Google's official documentation highlights several key aspects for ensuring Postmaster Tools is working correctly. Access requires a Google Account and verified ownership of the sending domain. Incorrect DNS records, specifically TXT records used for verification, are a common cause of issues. Data within Postmaster Tools is not real-time, so delays in data reflection are expected, particularly after setup changes. Finally, Google encourages users to report bugs and issues directly through their issue tracker for a more direct response.

Key findings

  • Google Account & Domain Verification: Accessing Postmaster Tools necessitates a Google Account and verified ownership of the sending domain.
  • DNS Record Accuracy: Incorrect TXT records for domain verification are a common problem. Double-check for typos and ensure proper propagation.
  • Data Latency: Postmaster Tools data isn't real-time; expect delays, especially after recent setup changes.
  • Report Issues Directly: Google encourages users to report bugs and issues through their official issue tracker for quicker resolution.

Key considerations

  • Verify Account and Domain: Confirm you are logged in with the correct Google Account and that domain ownership is properly verified.
  • Double-Check DNS: Thoroughly inspect the TXT record added to your DNS settings for accuracy and proper propagation.
  • Allow Time for Data: Be patient and allow sufficient time for data to populate after making changes to your setup.
  • Utilize Issue Tracker: If you encounter a persistent bug or issue, report it using the Google issue tracker.
Technical article

Documentation from Google Developers states that Postmaster Tools data is not real-time and there might be a delay in data being reflected. So it explains that recently set up or changed configurations may take some time to display correct data.

January 2022 - Google Developers
Technical article

Documentation from Google Support explains that to access Google Postmaster Tools, you need a Google Account. Furthermore, it clarifies that you must verify ownership of your sending domain to view data. Ensure the email address used to sign in is associated with the domain you want to analyze.

December 2023 - Google Support
Technical article

Documentation from Google Help states that incorrect DNS records often cause verification problems. It advises double-checking the TXT record added to your DNS settings for accuracy, ensuring there are no typos and that the record is properly propagated.

February 2022 - Google Help
Technical article

Documentation from Google reports that you can submit bugs and issues directly using the official Google Issue tracker. This can lead to a quicker and more direct response from the Google team.

January 2023 - Google Issues