Fix Gmail Error 605 Message Too Large Sent Email Stuck (2025)

Updated: 11/29/2025

You hit Send on an important email, watch Gmail spin for a few seconds, and then see a warning like Error 605 or Message too large. The draft lingers in your outbox, and repeated attempts all fail. This is frustrating when you are under deadline, but it typically comes down to oversized attachments, browser cache issues, or the way Drive links are attached, all of which you can fix yourself.

Table of Contents

Method 1: Reduce Attachment Size And Use Drive Links Properly

Click the Drive icon in Gmail and insert files as Drive links rather than attachments, especially for videos or large PDFs. Make sure to adjust sharing settings to allow the recipient to view or download, otherwise they may see permission errors even if the email sends successfully.

Method 2: Clear Gmail Cache, Cookies, And Browser Extensions

Turn off email related extensions like custom themes, productivity overlays, or security scanners that inject code into Gmail pages. With those disabled, send a test message with a small attachment, then gradually re enable only the extensions you truly need.

Warning: If you use corporate security tools, coordinate with your IT team before disabling required extensions to avoid violating policy.

Method 3: Use Alternative Send Methods For Critical Large Messages

When attachments must remain in email form, split them into several messages with clear labels such as Part 1, Part 2, and so on. Each part can stay comfortably within Gmail’s limits, reducing the risk of seeing Error 605 again.