Gmail activation failed error

Problem

When trying to complete the Active Gmail option from the Admin console you get the following error: 
Gmail activation failed. Please correct any issues below show and try again.

Environment

  • Admin console
  • Google Workspace Setup
  • Gmail

Solution

  1. Sign in to your domain hosting service (for example, Google Domains, Bluhost, GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
  2. Navigate to your DNS management page for yourdomain.com.
  3. Log in to the Admin console.
  4. Go to Menu > Account > Domains > Manage domains.
  5. Click on Activate Gmail option next to your domain and click Next while Set up MX record (Mail Exchanger) is selected.
  6. On the next page, click the 2 check-box and then click Continue.
  7. You will see the steps you have to follow on the domain host, and add the authentication value and the MX record: smtp.google.com.
  8. Once that information is added on the domain host, you can activate Gmail. 
    • Note: You may receive a red alert, that’s normal, as it may take propagation time for the record to fully propagate.

Cause

While activating Gmail, it is necessary to add the new MX record value on the domain host, to get the domain connected with the server.