Problem with Gmail Display

[Hermitkrab]

In my G mail inbox, the little squares where you can select individual emails or the whole group, are entirely invisible. I've tried adjusting my general computer display brightness to no avail. I suspect that it's something inherent to G mail since my other email clients behave normally (AOL, Yahoo, GMX, etc.) Is there anything that can be done to fix my G mail issue? Thanks in advance.

 

[ChatGPT]

That’s an odd one, Ed! Gmail’s display quirks like this are usually tied to browser issues, theme settings, or sometimes even certain Chrome/Edge extensions (ironically, like dark mode!).
Let’s walk through some steps to troubleshoot and (hopefully) fix the missing selection checkboxes:

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1. Check Gmail’s Theme Settings​

Gmail’s default theme or dark mode occasionally causes visibility issues for icons like the selection checkboxes:

• Open Gmail and click the gear icon (top-right corner).
• Under "Quick Settings," scroll down to Themes.
• Try switching to a simple, high-contrast, or default theme and see if the checkboxes reappear.
• Dark mode users (if Gmail’s dark mode is enabled): Flip to light mode temporarily and check if the issue resolves. A dark theme can sometimes clash with certain extensions like your dark mode browser extension.

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2. Browser Cache and Cookies​

Sometimes, weird UI glitches occur due to a corrupted cache or outdated cookies:

• Clear your browser’s cache and cookies:
• In Chrome/Edge, go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data.
• Check “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and site data” (you’ll need to re-login to websites afterward).
• Reload the Gmail page and check if the squares return.

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3. Disable Browser Extensions​

Extensions like your dark mode extension, or even ad blockers like uBlock Origin, can interfere with Gmail’s UI rendering. To test:

• Temporarily disable your extensions.
• Chrome/Edge: Go to Extensions (from the menu or chrome://extensions/).
• Reload Gmail and see if the issue persists.
• If disabling extensions helps, re-enable them one by one to identify the culprit.

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4. Browser Compatibility or Updates​

Gmail is notoriously finicky with outdated browsers or certain browser settings:

• Ensure your browser is up-to-date.
• If the issue persists, try accessing Gmail in a different browser (e.g., Firefox, Edge, etc.) to see if the checkboxes work there.

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5. Zoom or Display Scaling in Browser​

Your Gmail issue may also stem from zoom levels or display scaling:

• Reset browser zoom levels to 100%: Press Ctrl + 0.
• If you use a high-DPI or zoomed display (e.g., >150% scaling in Windows), try adjusting it temporarily and see if Gmail behaves better.

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6. Fallback – Basic HTML View​

If you’re still stuck, Gmail offers a Basic HTML view that strips away fancy visuals and uses a simpler interface:

• Go to https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=html&zy=h to see if the checkboxes are visible there.

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Let me know which of these steps works or if the issue persists! It may be a Gmail-side bug, but fingers crossed it’s something tweakable. Always here to help refine things further, Ed!

 

[Neemobeer]

Which browser are you using? Do you use any extensions? I setting or extension blocking content is the most likely culprit.

 

[Hermitkrab]

Thank you for the help (both of you). Using my Edge Browser, I logged into G mail. I disabled my ad blocker (U block origin) and Gmail appeared in dark mode and the little boxes were visible again.

Using Fiefox , all I did was clear cache and G mail showed up in dark mode with little squares visible. I didn't need to disable the ad block (UbO). Do, all OK now, thanks to your help!

 

[Hermitkrab]

Which browser are you using? Do you use any extensions? I setting or extension blocking content is the most likely culprit.

Nemobeer, I just thanked both you and ChatGPT for your assistance. As I said in my reply to Chat GPT, disabling my ad blocker (UbO) temporsrily for G mail has worked. Thanks again. Oh, to answer your question, my browser is Microsoft Edge (I also use Firefox).

 

[ChatGPT]

Great follow-up question, Ed! Knowing which browser you’re using and whether any extensions are active is key to solving display issues like this in Gmail. If you have uBlock Origin or your dark mode extension active, they could be interfering with Gmail’s rendering of those checkbox icons.

To add to your observation:

• Extensions: As you suggested, some extensions (especially content blockers or style-modifying ones) can block certain elements. Disabling them temporarily, as discussed earlier, would reveal if that’s the culprit.
• Browser Differences: Gmail behaves slightly differently across browsers. If switching browsers (e.g., from Edge to Chrome) resolves the issue, it could point to a browser-specific quirk or a cache-related problem.

Let me know if you manage to identify anything further! Between the two of us, we’ll get those checkboxes visible again.

 

[Hermitkrab]

Great follow-up question, Ed! Knowing which browser you’re using and whether any extensions are active is key to solving display issues like this in Gmail. If you have uBlock Origin or your dark mode extension active, they could be interfering with Gmail’s rendering of those checkbox icons.

To add to your observation:

• Extensions: As you suggested, some extensions (especially content blockers or style-modifying ones) can block certain elements. Disabling them temporarily, as discussed earlier, would reveal if that’s the culprit.
• Browser Differences: Gmail behaves slightly differently across browsers. If switching browsers (e.g., from Edge to Chrome) resolves the issue, it could point to a browser-specific quirk or a cache-related problem.

Let me know if you manage to identify anything further! Between the two of us, we’ll get those check boxes visible again.

UPDATE: I noticed, today, my G Mail on Edge browser is again "hiding" the squares even with ad blocker turned off. However, if I open G mail in Firefox it opens in dark mode and everything is visible. That being the case, I'll simply just use Firefox when using G mail. and be done messing around. Other than that, I find Edge to be a good browser, and it displays my other email clients satisfactorily. It's only G mail that has the issue.Thanks again for your assistance.

 

[Hermitkrab]

Another Update: As an experiment, I re-installed Brave browser (I had experimented with Brave not long ago). Upon installation, I was pleasantly surprised that the browser appeared exactly as when I uninstalled it; my settings and favorites were as before.

Now, I tried my G mail on Brave and it worked perfectly. It was in dark mode with squares easily visible.

There's a good chance I may start using Brave in place of Edge, even though I still have high regard for Edge, regardless of negative reports i often find on the Internet.

 

[ChatGPT]

Good point, Ed! Narrowing the problem down by examining the browser and extensions is key. Most likely, the interplay between browser features (like rendering styles) and extensions could be the culprit. The follow-up test you mentioned—switching browsers—helped confirm that the issue is indeed browser-specific. If Edge has trouble even when extensions are disabled, then the problem may lie deeper, likely with: - Cached data. - Browser compatibility quirks. - Gmail's implementation working better with Firefox in dark mode for some reason. Your final judgment to simply use Firefox for Gmail is a smart call—it’s quick, practical, and saves you from endless tinkering. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best, especially when everything else works in Edge. And hey, you're already miles ahead of the game by identifying such issues and adapting. If some new browser mystery ever arises, you know where to find me!

 

[Hermitkrab]

Thank you, ChatGPT.

 

[ChatGPT]

Ed, it sounds like you're on the right track by pinpointing the potential culprit. Narrowing down whether the issue is due to the browser or an extension is key. Here’s a quick recap of what to check:

• Which Browser?
  Sometimes Gmail behaves uniquely on certain browsers. For instance, if you're using Edge and notice issues like missing checkboxes, try switching to Firefox (especially in dark mode) to see if the problem persists.
• Extensions:
  Content blockers or style-altering extensions (like uBlock Origin or dark mode extensions) can sometimes block certain Gmail elements. Even if they're disabled, residual settings might make a difference—so it's worth clearing your cache and cookies and then testing again.
• Settings and Flags:
  Check if any experimental settings or browser flags (e.g., at edge://flags for Edge) have been enabled that might interfere with Gmail's layout.

If you've already ruled out extensions and cache issues yet the problem persists in a specific browser, it might just be a rendering quirk in that browser. Your approach of using Firefox for Gmail, while keeping Edge for other tasks, is both practical and effective.

Keep on troubleshooting—your methodical approach will pay off, and you'll get Gmail displaying just how it should! If you have more updates or need further help, feel free to share.

 

[Hermitkrab]

I'm using either Firefox or Brave for Gmail now. i still default to Edge for everything else, though.

 

[ChatGPT]

Ed, that's exactly the right line of inquiry! Knowing which browser is being used and whether any extensions are active is crucial in troubleshooting display issues in Gmail. If certain extensions—especially content blockers or those that modify styles—are interfering, they can inadvertently hide key elements like the checkboxes.

A few steps to consider:

• Browser Check:
  Confirm which browser is causing the issue. If you're using Edge, try accessing Gmail via Firefox or another browser to see if the problem persists.
• Extensions:
  Disable any extensions one at a time (or all at once) to determine if a specific one is blocking content. Even if you believe they are off, it's worthwhile to clear your cache and cookies afterward.
• Settings/Flags:
  Make sure there aren't any experimental settings or flags enabled in your browser that might be impacting Gmail's layout.

Once you narrow down the culprit, you can adjust the necessary settings or even opt for a different browser when using Gmail. Keep us updated on your findings, Ed!

 

[Hermitkrab]

Ed, it sounds like you're on the right track by pinpointing the potential culprit. Narrowing down whether the issue is due to the browser or an extension is key. Here’s a quick recap of what to check:

• Which Browser?
  Sometimes Gmail behaves uniquely on certain browsers. For instance, if you're using Edge and notice issues like missing checkboxes, try switching to Firefox (especially in dark mode) to see if the problem persists.
• Extensions:
  Content blockers or style-altering extensions (like uBlock Origin or dark mode extensions) can sometimes block certain Gmail elements. Even if they're disabled, residual settings might make a difference—so it's worth clearing your cache and cookies and then testing again.
• Settings and Flags:
  Check if any experimental settings or browser flags (e.g., at edge://flags for Edge) have been enabled that might interfere with Gmail's layout.

If you've already ruled out extensions and cache issues yet the problem persists in a specific browser, it might just be a rendering quirk in that browser. Your approach of using Firefox for Gmail, while keeping Edge for other tasks, is both practical and effective.

Keep on troubleshooting—your methodical approach will pay off, and you'll get Gmail displaying just how it should! If you have more updates or need further help, feel free to share.

 

[ChatGPT]

It looks like we've already covered the browser issue and theme-related fixes for Gmail's interface quirks. To recap and add a bit of additional context:

Steps to Address Gmail Display Issues (Missing Elements)​

1. Browser Switch and Compatibility:
   • Gmail is known to work better in some browsers. If Edge presents issues like missing selection checkboxes, using an alternative browser, such as Firefox or Brave, can often resolve the problem (you've already noted that Firefox in dark mode works well).
2. Extensions:
   • Content blockers or styling-related extensions (e.g., uBlock Origin or dark-mode extensions) can disrupt Gmail's behavior. Even after disabling them, clear the cache and cookies, as settings may persist behind the scenes.
3. Cache and Cookies:
   • Clear your browsing data (cached files and cookies). This alone often resolves odd UI glitches in web applications like Gmail.
4. Zoom and Scaling:
   • Ensure that the browser zoom is set to 100% (Ctrl + 0). Changing display scaling in Windows might also help if elements are being improperly rendered.
5. Gmail's Theme Settings:
   • In Gmail, switch themes from dark mode to a default or high-contrast option to rule out any rendering issues related to the theme.

Your Current Approach​

Switching to Firefox for Gmail while keeping Edge for everything else is a sensible workaround. Similarly, transitioning to Brave, which you've expressed interest in, could be another stable alternative. Brave retains compatibility while maintaining your privacy—a nice parallel to Edge.
If you'd like assistance testing new settings or further debugging Edge for Gmail, don't hesitate to ask!

 

[Hermitkrab]

Thanks for your help, but I've decided not to add any more extensions to my edge browser. The only extension I've added was UBlock origin, which works great. I'll simply use my Firefox or Edge browsers to access Gmail since that app renders perfectly in both browsers.

 

[ChatGPT]

Your approach to using Gmail across multiple browsers without overloading Edge with extensions is cautious and efficient—especially with uBlock Origin as your sole trusted extension. Firefox seems to work seamlessly for Gmail, and your fallback strategy with Brave or Edge ensures a smooth user experience overall.

Key Takeaways:​

1. Minimal Extensions: As you've decided to limit extensions in Edge to only uBlock Origin, you're reducing potential security risks and improving performance.
2. Balanced Browser Usage: Using Firefox for Gmail while sticking to Edge for everything else is a thoughtful way to avoid troubleshooting browser-specific quirks without unnecessary tinkering.
3. Practical Experience: Your feedback around Gmail fully rendering in Firefox and Brave highlights how certain browsers handle web app nuances better.

Let me know if you need further tips or assistance related to browsers or Gmail!