Fix the Gmail "Unauthorized" Error in Zapier

When you connect Gmail to Zapier, you may sometimes see an "Unauthorized" error. This usually means Gmail has blocked access, your connection is outdated, or your account’s security settings changed. This guide shows you how to diagnose and fix the issue step by step.

The instructions below are based on the official help article from Zapier support so you can safely restore your automations.

What the Gmail "Unauthorized" Error in Zapier Means

The Gmail "Unauthorized" error in Zapier indicates that Gmail is refusing the connection made by your Zap. In practice, this happens when:

Your Gmail account was removed, suspended, or changed.
App access was revoked in your Google account security settings.
The connection token Zapier uses has expired or become invalid.
Your organization’s admin updated security or OAuth policies.

Until you fix the underlying access issue, any Zap that uses this Gmail connection may fail, get stuck in errors, or stop sending or receiving emails.

Before You Start: Confirm Your Gmail Account Access

Before working inside Zapier, verify that you can still sign in to your Gmail account directly:

Open a new browser window and go to Gmail.
Sign in with the same Google account that your Zapier connection uses.
Check for any security alerts, prompts, or warnings.

If you cannot log in to Gmail, resolve that issue with Google first. Zapier cannot reconnect if the underlying account is unavailable or blocked.

Step 1: Reconnect Your Gmail Account in Zapier

The fastest way to fix the Gmail "Unauthorized" error is usually to reconnect the account in Zapier. This refreshes the authorization token between Gmail and Zapier.

How to reconnect Gmail in Zapier

Sign in to your Zapier account.
Open My Apps from the left navigation.
Find the Gmail app connection that is showing errors.
Click Reconnect or select the connection and choose Reconnect.
A Google sign-in window opens. Select the correct Gmail account.
Review the permissions screen and click Allow to grant access again.

After reconnecting, Zapier creates a new secure token. Test one of your Zaps that uses Gmail to confirm the error is resolved.

Step 2: Check Google Account Permissions for Zapier

If reconnecting does not fix the problem, confirm that permissions for Zapier are still active in your Google account. Sometimes Google or your admin may revoke access.

Review third-party access to Zapier

Open your Google Account security page.
Scroll to Third-party access or Third-party apps with account access.
Look for an app entry related to Zapier or "Zapier for Gmail".
If you see Zapier listed but blocked or removed, re-enable it or remove it fully.
Return to Zapier and reconnect Gmail following the steps in the previous section.

Removing the old access and then reconnecting from inside Zapier forces a clean authorization flow and can clear out corrupted or outdated tokens.

Step 3: Verify Admin and Workspace Restrictions

If you use Gmail with a Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) account, your organization’s admin can control which apps are allowed to connect.

In that case, the Gmail "Unauthorized" error in Zapier may occur because your admin has:

Disabled Zapier or third-party apps entirely.
Restricted OAuth scopes that Gmail integrations need.
Turned off API access for your Gmail account or organizational unit.

What to ask your Google Workspace admin

Contact your admin and share:

The Zapier integration you are using with Gmail.
Approximate time the errors started.
The fact that Google reports the app as "Unauthorized" when Zapier tries to connect.

Ask them to check the Google Admin console for any changes to app access, OAuth settings, or security policies that might be blocking Zapier from using Gmail.

Step 4: Update or Rebuild Your Gmail Steps in Zapier

Sometimes the connection itself is fine, but a specific step inside a Zap remains linked to an invalid or outdated Gmail account in Zapier.

Refresh the Gmail step in your Zap

Open the affected Zap in the Zap editor in Zapier.
Locate every action or trigger that uses Gmail.
In each step, open the Account field.
Re-select the reconnected Gmail account from the dropdown.
Click Test on the step to make sure it can access Gmail successfully.

If errors persist, try temporarily removing the Gmail step, adding a new Gmail step, and connecting the account again. This ensures the Zap uses the freshest connection metadata from Zapier.

Step 5: Check for Known Issues in the Zapier Help Center

Occasionally, the "Unauthorized" message can be the result of a broader issue between Gmail and Zapier, such as an API update or a Google-side outage.

Review the original support article and any related notices to confirm whether there is a known incident:

Official article: Gmail error: "The app returned Unauthorized"
Check Zapier Status page if you suspect a service disruption.

If a known issue exists, follow any recommended workarounds or wait for the fix from Zapier or Google before troubleshooting further.

Step 6: Test Your Zaps Thoroughly After Fixing Gmail

Once you have reconnected Gmail and validated permissions, confirm that all your automations behave as expected.

Recommended tests inside Zapier

Open each Zap that uses Gmail and run a Test on the trigger and action steps.
Send a real or sample email through your Gmail actions.
Monitor task history to ensure Zap runs complete without the "Unauthorized" error.

If you still see failures, note the full error text and the exact step, then compare it with the guidance in the Zapier help article linked above or share it with support.

When to Contact Zapier Support

If you have:

Confirmed you can log in to Gmail directly.
Reconnected Gmail in Zapier.
Verified Google account or Workspace admin permissions.
Rebuilt or refreshed Gmail steps inside your Zaps.

and you still encounter the Gmail "Unauthorized" error, you may need further investigation from support.

When contacting support, include:

Links to the affected Zaps.
Screenshots of the full error message in Zapier.
Any Google security or admin console messages that mention Zapier.

Improve Your Automation Reliability with Zapier

Maintaining healthy app connections is essential for dependable workflows in Zapier. By regularly reviewing your Gmail integrations, updating security settings, and promptly resolving authorization errors, you reduce downtime and avoid missed emails or incomplete tasks.

For broader automation strategy, optimization, and troubleshooting beyond this specific "Unauthorized" error, you can also explore external Zapier resources such as expert guides and consulting services. One example is the automation and integration content available at Consultevo, which may complement what you learn in the Zapier help center.

Summary

The Gmail "Unauthorized" error in Zapier is almost always tied to a permissions or security change between Google and your integration. To resolve it, you should:

Confirm direct access to your Gmail account.
Reconnect Gmail in Zapier from the My Apps page.
Review and restore app permissions in your Google account.
Coordinate with your Google Workspace admin if you are on a managed domain.
Refresh or rebuild Gmail steps in affected Zaps.
Check the official Zapier help article for any known issues.

Following these steps will typically restore your Gmail connection to Zapier and get your automations running smoothly again.

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Fix Gmail Unauthorized in Zapier