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Firefox opens gmail account in HTML rather than standard so Outlook won't sync, help.

  • 8 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by eshettle

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I'm trying to get windows Outlook to connect to my Gmail e-mail account. I'm using Windows 8.1. Gmail says my browser has to open my e-mail using "standard" mode rather than HTML. Firefox automatically uses HTML. Can I make Firefox use standard mode?

I'm trying to get windows Outlook to connect to my Gmail e-mail account. I'm using Windows 8.1. Gmail says my browser has to open my e-mail using "standard" mode rather than HTML. Firefox automatically uses HTML. Can I make Firefox use standard mode?

All Replies (8)

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Let me confirm what you are trying to do:

You are setting up your Gmail account as an IMAP account in Outlook 2013 or another version of "Office" Outlook on your computer.

To enable IMAP in Gmail, you need to access the settings screen, which is available in the "standard" view but not the "basic" view.

Firefox should use the most full-featured view of Gmail automatically. Could you check this article and try the link at the end just to confirm:

https://support.google.com/mail/answer/15049

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That is all correct. I am trying to use Outlook 2013 to connect to a Gmail acct. I have enabled IMAP in Gmail but i don't think Firefox will access the settings when it opens Gmail in HTML. I can't figure out how to get it to open in standard view.

I had already visited the link you sent me.

thanks for any help. It has frustrated me now for hours.

Modified by eshettle

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Hmm, the link at the end of the article is supposed to force standard view:

http://mail.google.com/mail?nocheckbrowser

If that doesn't work, could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Can you get into Gmail Standard mode in Firefox's Safe Mode?

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Neither worked. The google link just opened my e-mail account in HTML mode.

I'm going to contact Google about their link not working. It appears to be their problem.

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Is that the critical problem? The reason I ask is, Google's article says you need to switch to Standard mode in order to access the settings page and turn on IMAP. https://support.google.com/mail/troubleshooter/1668960#ts=1665018

You said you already were able to enable IMAP, so perhaps the problem is with a different step.

Can you use Internet Explorer to complete the setup? Might be faster than getting support from Google if it works.

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I can go into my Gmail settings and click on all the buttons to enable IMAP and Gmail says its enabled but apparently Outlook can't access it.

I've gone to a google forum and am going through their suggestions. I've erased and reloaded Firefox. I've tried Internet Explorer. I've tried Firefox in Safe mode. I've disabled my virus protection and that won't work either. Finally, I tried my other computer. Gmail always opens in HTML and I can't force it to open in standard view. I'm not finished working on it but I'm not liking computers today.

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I haven't used Outlook with Gmail for many years, so I don't have recent personal experience since they bumped up the security requirements. Does Outlook give you a specific error message when trying send/receive?

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Success!! I'm not sure exactly why Outlook linked this time, but I suspect it was the third time I went to IMAP settings in Gmail and went through all the steps to enable it a third time. I must have done it correctly this time. Outlook wouldn't connect automatically using the four steps it says to use. Had to do it the hard way.

Thank you!