Gmail does not load on IE8

Question

I have an email with Google Apps for Domains. It loads fine in every other other browser, but not IE8. First it will sit there with the non-moving progress bar, saying Loading blah@blah.com.

Then after about 30 second or so, it'll say:

Loading standard view | Load basic HTML (for slow connections) This is taking longer than usual. Try reloading the page.

If that doesn't work, you can: Try using https. Disable Labs and try again. If you're on a slow connection, try basic HTML view. For more troubleshooting tips, visit the help center.

I'll click on the Try reloading the page link, which is the exactly the same URL that went to to begin with and it'll load just fine.

I've tried clearing cache, cookies, disabling all labs - nothing helped.

Answer 1

Shot in the dark - Try turning on Tools | Compatibility View

Answer 2

Do you have Javascript turned off? I had a similar issue in Firefox when I had NoScript running and blocking the google pages. Telling NoScript to allow everything on the site restored it.

Answer 3

Try disabling all add-ons, in Tools -> Manage Add-ons.

There are several add-ons that slow down IE8

Answer 4

I had the same problem, but it disappeared after Windows Update. Try downloading new updates, especially IE8 compatibility patches.

Answer 5

Are you behind a proxy? Are you at home or work?

I ask because I've noticed a similar problem periodically at work, but never at home. Both systems were* XP SP3, IE8.

*I have since moved all my home computers to the Windows 7 RC and am loving it. :)\

Addendum: Since you have stated you are at work, and not behind a proxy, do you know if they use any type of 3rd party DNS system? Or some sort of traffic monitoring/filtering system? Shouldn't make a difference, but you never know...

Also, I'm assuming you're using http://mail.google.com/ - while it shouldn't make a difference, do you see the same behavior using http://www.gmail.com/ ?

Answer 6

Try clearing your IE Cache there might be something funny in there.

Answer 7

I know this is old now, but see my similar question here (with good solution):
http://superuser.com/questions/189826/gmail-will-not-load

Answer 8

I made one of those crazy discoveries that just can't be expected. I haven't seen this solution anywhere else

I installed IE7 to fix the problem and it did. But I wanted to run IE8. So I went back to IE8 and my GMail no longer loaded and I just decided to give up on it. Anyhow, I wanted the date yesterday and when I looked at the system clock (the little one on the status bar) it said it was October 31st. Well that was obviously incorrect so I changed it to the correct date, and the next time I opened up IE8 my GMail worked. This surprised me, and I thought about the fact that the only thing that had changed was the date. So, I closed IE8, screwed up the date, and voila GMail is broken again. Fixed the date again and GMail is fixed again, and this is unique to IE8 apparently.

I wonder if this would impress people at parties?