[BUG] Gmail OAuth Flow Hangs at Final Redirect in Claude Desktop
Preflight Checklist
- [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
- [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
- [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code
What's Wrong?
<html><head></head><body><h1>Bug Report: Gmail OAuth Flow Hangs at Final Redirect in Claude Desktop</h1>
<h2>Environment</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Claude Desktop Version</strong>: 1.1.4498 (24f768) — Build 2026-02-26T19:47:09.000Z</li>
<li><strong>OS</strong>: macOS</li>
<li><strong>Account</strong>: Hiren Madan — Max plan</li>
<li><strong>Gmail Account</strong>: hirenmadan@gmail.com</li>
</ul>
<h2>Related Issues</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>GitHub Issue #22698</strong> — "Gmail integration fails to reconnect after disconnect" (exact same symptoms)</li>
<li><strong>GitHub Issue #27492</strong> — "Claude Cowork MCP Issue continues" (MCP connection failures post-update)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Summary</h2>
<p>Gmail OAuth flow completes all Google-side authentication steps successfully but <strong>hangs indefinitely at the final redirect back to Claude Desktop</strong>. The browser shows a blue loading progress bar that never completes. Google Drive connector works perfectly using the same Google account — only Gmail is affected.</p>
<p><strong>Critically, the Gmail MCP works correctly via claude.ai web chat</strong> — the OAuth token is valid and functional. The failure is specifically in Claude Desktop's ability to receive and process the OAuth callback.</p>
What Should Happen?
<h2>Expected Behavior</h2>
<p>After Step 9, the browser should redirect back to Claude Desktop, Gmail should show <strong>"Connected"</strong> (green) in Connectors, and Gmail MCP tools should be available in Chat and Cowork.</p>
Error Messages/Logs
<h2>Actual Behavior</h2>
<ul>
<li>The OAuth consent page hangs with a loading indicator after clicking Continue</li>
<li>The redirect/callback to Claude Desktop never fires</li>
<li>Returning to Claude Desktop, Gmail sometimes shows "Configure" (partially registered) but MCP tools do not work</li>
<li>The "..." menu shows Disconnect option, suggesting partial state was saved, but the token exchange was incomplete</li>
</ul>
<h2>Troubleshooting Already Attempted (All Failed)</h2>
Step | Result
-- | --
Revoked "Claude for Gmail" access from myaccount.google.com/connections, then reconnected | Same hang at final redirect
Used incognito/private browser window | Same hang
Cleared all Chrome cookies (all time) | Same hang
Disconnected and reconnected Gmail multiple times | Same hang
Attempted connection from claude.ai web Settings → Connectors | Got MCP error
Verified no VPN or firewall blocking | Not applicable
Restarted Claude Desktop completely | No changeSteps to Reproduce
<h2>Steps to Reproduce</h2>
<ol>
<li>Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Connectors</li>
<li>Click "..." next to Gmail → Disconnect (if previously attempted)</li>
<li>Gmail moves to "Desktop app" section, shows "Connect" button</li>
<li>Click "Connect" on Gmail</li>
<li>Browser opens to <code>gmail.mcp.claude.com/google/install?metadata=...</code></li>
<li>"Connect Claude to Gmail" page → Click <strong>Continue</strong></li>
<li>Google account chooser → Select <strong>hirenmadan@gmail.com</strong></li>
<li>"You're signing back in to Claude for Gmail" → Click <strong>Continue</strong></li>
<li>"Claude for Gmail wants access to your Google Account" (shows "already has access to 4 services") → Click <strong>Continue</strong></li>
<li><strong>BUG</strong>: Page greys out, blue loading bar appears at top, <strong>spins indefinitely</strong> — redirect to Claude Desktop never completes</li>
</ol>
Claude Model
Opus
Is this a regression?
No, this never worked
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
Claude Code v2.1.63.
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
macOS
Terminal/Shell
Terminal.app (macOS)
Additional Information
<h2>Key Diagnostic Evidence</h2>
<ol>
<li><strong>Google Drive connects successfully</strong> using the same Google account → The issue is Gmail-specific, not a general OAuth or network problem.</li>
<li><strong>Gmail MCP works via claude.ai web chat</strong> → The OAuth token IS valid. Claude's Gmail MCP server (<code>gmail.mcp.claude.com</code>) can authenticate and access the mailbox. Verified by successfully calling <code>gmail_get_profile</code> which returned the full profile.</li>
<li><strong>The hang occurs at Google's consent summary page</strong> (<code>accounts.google.com/signin/oauth/v2/consentsummary</code>) → The failure is in the callback/redirect mechanism between Google and Claude Desktop, not in Google's authentication flow itself.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Screenshots</h2>
<p>10 sequential screenshots documenting the complete flow are available, showing every step from the Connectors page through the OAuth flow to the final hang.</p>
<h2>Impact</h2>
<ul>
<li>Cannot use Gmail MCP in <strong>Cowork</strong> (primary use case for email workflow automation)</li>
<li>Cannot use Gmail MCP in <strong>Claude Desktop Chat tab</strong></li>
<li>Only workaround is using <strong>claude.ai web chat</strong> where Gmail MCP functions correctly</li>
</ul>
<h2>Requested Action</h2>
<p>This appears to be a server-side issue with Claude's OAuth callback handler for the Gmail connector. Please escalate to the engineering team handling MCP integrations/auth.</p></body></html>
11 Comments
Thanks for the triage. I understand this isn't a Claude Code issue — it's a Claude Desktop / Connectors problem.
However, there's no public repo for Claude Desktop bugs. Could you point me to the correct channel for reporting this? The issue is reproducible and well-documented:
Gmail OAuth flow hangs at final redirect in Claude Desktop (v1.1.4498, macOS)
Google Drive connects fine using the same account
Gmail MCP works correctly via claude.ai web chat — confirming the OAuth token is valid
All user-side troubleshooting exhausted (revoked Google access, incognito browser, cleared cookies, multiple reconnect attempts)
This affects Gmail MCP availability in both Desktop Chat and Cowork. Happy to re-file wherever appropriate — just need to know where.
Same problem, Claude Code Cowork will not connect to Google Drive, Windows 11, thanks!
Similar problem on Mac. I want to schedule Claude Cowork to check my spam folder, and the Claude for Gmail auth screen just hangs with the page grayed out and the animated progress bar streaming across the screen.
Having same problem as described since updating today to latest version.
I'm having the same problem with Google Cloud BigQuery plugin and connector as well - which uses a managed/hosted MCP endpoint. It is hanging at the same last OAUTH screen and then Claude Cowork isnt able to use the MCP or plugin.
"Claude for Gmail wants access to your Google Account" (shows "already has access to 4 services") → Click Continue
BUG: Page greys out, blue loading bar appears at top, spins indefinitely — redirect to Claude Desktop never completes
Also having this problem. Is there really no fix yet?
Also seeing this problem
Seeing this problem with GDrive as well. I looked into it and there are
multiple issues against Antrhopics GH repo for this.
On Mon, Apr 13, 2026 at 12:48 PM Andy Woods @.***>
wrote:
--
Josh Earlenbaugh, PhD (he/him)
Manager, Technical Content
1-(628)-250-1469
Yes still seeing this issue. Really annoying that for a paid app, there is no one to reach out to.
Closing for now — inactive for too long. Please open a new issue if this is still relevant.
This issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.