Why does a Gmail address report being over quota and then start receiving mail again?
Summary
What email marketers say12Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Quora user John Smith explains that Gmail's storage is shared across Google services, including Google Drive and Photos, so it's easy to fill up the quota quickly. After user cleans up the storage, Gmail resumes normal activity.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains a similar issue they ran into. They figured out that Android devices store photos in Google Drive, which uses the 15GB allocation. Removing photos clears up space in Gmail.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that Gmail/Drive are also used to transfer music files and a company they worked with had that problem a lot due to file sizes when prospects sent them samples of their compositions.
Email marketer from Reddit user u/ClearCut explains that the Gmail user's storage quota may have been exceeded temporarily due to background processes like syncing large files. After syncing the files, the mail will resume.
Email marketer from StackExchange user Jane Doe mentions that Gmail's storage quota is not just for emails but also for files stored on Google Drive and photos on Google Photos. Deleting some of the large files could resolve the issue.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Gmail over quota does happen and the space can be shared with other parts of G Suite.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that you can also buy more storage and then open it up to receive again.
Email marketer from Digital Point Forum user Dwight Schrute explains that Gmail may report an account being over quota when the user has many large emails, especially with attachments, in their spam folder. Clearing out the spam folder and trash can will fix the problem, and the mail will resume.
Email marketer from Reddit user u/TechSavvy shares that Gmail's storage is often consumed by large attachments in emails, photos, and files stored in Google Drive. Once the user deletes enough data to fall below the quota, the account will be able to receive emails again.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they paid for more storage after clearing didn't help.
Email marketer from Black Hat Forum user Michael Scott explains that Gmail could show an account being over quota when the user shares their storage with other Google services like Google Photos. Once photos are cleared or the quota is increased the account will receive mail again.
Email marketer from Webmaster World Forum user Jim Halpert explains that a Gmail account might report being over quota due to large files being synced to Google Drive. Once the sync is complete or the user removes large files the account will start receiving mail again.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, explains that shared storage across Google services can lead to temporary 'over quota' notifications in Gmail. Clearing space in Google Drive or Photos can resolve the issue and allow mail reception to resume.
Expert from Email Geeks shares that Gmail is shared quota so if you’re storing a lot of things in your Google Drive, mail can bounce.
Expert from Email Geeks explains this happens to their kid often and they have to go in and purge a bunch of stuff.
What the documentation says3Technical articles
Documentation from Mailtrap explains a full Gmail inbox can cause senders to receive bounce-back messages. The over-quota problem occurs if the user has surpassed the storage limit. They might free space or subscribe to a Google One plan for more storage. After freeing up space, mail reception will start again.
Documentation from IONOS explains Gmail quota is often shared with Google Drive and Google Photos. When a Gmail user's account goes over quota, emails sent to the address get bounced back to the sender. In some cases the quota can be cleared by removing files and emails or the user may need to purchase a quota increase. Once the quota is no longer exceeded mail will resume.
Documentation from Google Support explains that Gmail shares 15 GB of free storage with Google Drive and Google Photos. If a user reaches their storage limit, they may not be able to send or receive emails. Clearing storage or buying more will solve the problem. Mail bounces will occur temporarily during the over quota period.