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Troubleshooting

Gmail signature not showing? Here's the fix

Nine times out of ten it's one of seven causes. Work down this list and your signature will be back in two minutes.

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The 7 causes, most common first

1 · Reply defaults not set

Gmail has TWO signature dropdowns — one for new emails, one for replies/forwards. Most email is replies; if only the first is set, your signature 'disappears' in threads. Settings → General → Signature defaults → set both.

2 · You're on mobile

The Gmail app uses a separate, plain-text 'Mobile signature'. If it's empty, mail sent from the app has no signature. Either set it, or leave it empty on purpose and send rich mail from desktop.

3 · Wrong send-as address

Each 'Send mail as' address has its own signature. If you compose from a secondary alias, Gmail applies THAT alias's (possibly empty) signature.

4 · Signature saved but not selected

Creating a signature isn't enough — the defaults dropdowns must point at it. 'No signature' stays selected until you change it.

5 · You didn't scroll down to Save

The Save changes button hides at the very bottom of settings. Close the tab without it and everything reverts.

6 · Images blocked or broken

Images must live on a public HTTPS host. Attached or local images show as broken squares for recipients — which reads as 'not showing'.

7 · Plain-text mode is on

Compose window → ⋮ menu → if 'Plain text mode' is checked, Gmail strips the rich signature. Uncheck it.

The 2-minute checklist

Open Settings → See all settings → General → Signature.
Confirm your signature exists and has content.
Set both Signature defaults dropdowns (new mail + replies).
Scroll to the bottom → Save changes.
Compose a new email AND a reply — check both.

Prevent it permanently

Every cause above comes from Gmail's manual signature plumbing. ProSignature installs your signature through Google's official API — it writes the setting itself, applies it to new mail and replies, and hosts your images on reliable HTTPS. Nothing to paste, nothing to forget. See also: how to add a signature in Gmail and how to change it.

Written and maintained by the ProSignature team. Competitor pricing and feature claims on this site are verified against each vendor's live page on the day of writing — last verified 26 July 2026. No affiliate links. How we work.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why does my signature show when I compose but not for recipients?

Usually broken images: they must be hosted on a public HTTPS URL. Recipients' clients block local or attached images.

Why is there no signature when I reply?

The replies/forwards default is a separate dropdown in Settings → Signature defaults. Set it — most people only set new-mail.

Does the Gmail app support rich signatures?

No — mobile signatures are plain text and separate from desktop. Rich signatures apply when sending from Gmail on the web.

Can a signature be installed so this never breaks?

Yes — ProSignature sets the signature via Gmail's API for both new mail and replies, with hosted images. One click, done.

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