Here’s how to fix Gmail error 76997 once and for all

▪ July 18, 2018 ▪

4 minute read

Home » Fix » Here’s how to fix Gmail error 76997 once and for all

If you’re getting error 76997 when using your Gmail account, this troubleshooting guide will help you solve the problem.

Gmail’s emailing service is one of the most used across the world, and has many new and advanced features, plus an interactive interface that makes it a favorite among its users.

However, the service doesn’t come without errors just like other services or even software programs, and this can affect work, communication, and even productivity in general besides ongoing processes.

Gmail users have reported various technical problems, most of which are easily resolved by their support team. Among these errors is the 76997 error, an error code that occurs when you try sending a single email to a group of contacts, but sometimes even to a single recipient.

Tackling Gmail problems, however, need not require a wealth of technical knowledge, so here are a few troubleshooting fixes and other solutions you can use to resolve the Gmail error 76997.

How can I fix Gmail error 76997 for good?

Preliminary fixes
Create a contact group
Enable Labs
Clear browser cache data
Scan for Malicious Software
Disable all Third-party Software
Perform a Clean boot
Disable extensions (Chrome)
Disable Labs

1. Preliminary fixes

Check that your browser is updated
Check the installed extensions, disable them and restart your browser
Check that your software security programs are not interfering with the Gmail app
Switch your email server to another email client like moving Gmail to Microsoft Outlook
Access Gmail in an incognito/private window
Access Gmail from a different browser

2. Create a contact group

You can create a contact group and then email that group, to do this:

Go to Google Contacts.
On the left under “Labels,” click Create label (or go to group contacts in old Contacts.)
Type a name, then click OK.

3. Enable Labs

Gmail error 76997 may be caused when all Gmail labs are disabled, so to enable one Labs, do this:

Open your Gmail account.
Click the Gear icon on the upper right side.
Select Settings.
Click the Labs tab.
Enable an Available Labs.
Click save changes to confirm

4. Clear browser cache data

Gmail error code 76997 can be caused when the Gmail cache stored in your browser interrupts the operation. Clear cache and restart your browser. To do this:

Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome in the address bar, type in chrome ://settings/clearBrowserData
In Clear the following items from, select the beginning of time.
Check all checkbox below Clear the following items from
Then, click Clear Browsing Data.

5. Scan for Malicious Software

If your Windows operating system is running a malicious code, you could get Gmail error 76997. In this case, perform a full antivirus scan to check for any such malware, which you can do using your security software program or Windows Defender, or even Microsoft Security essentials if you don’t have an antivirus. Ensure these are updated then run the scan.

6. Disable all Third-party Software

Third party apps could cause Gmail error 76997, through an extension or plug in your browser, or even through a Windows application that runs each time you start up your computer. Disabling these third party apps may fix the problem.

7. Perform a Clean boot

Click start and type msconfig then select System Configuration from the search results.
On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then tap or click Disable all.

On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click Open Task Manager.

On the Startup tab in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then click Disable.
Close Task Manager.
On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, click OK, and then restart the computer.
Try to open Gmail.