Seeing a "Processing" status on your mailboxes? This guide explains what's happening and what to do.
What Does "Processing" Status Mean?
When a mailbox shows "Processing," it means Icemail has submitted the provisioning request to Google or Microsoft and is waiting for their systems to complete the setup. This is normal and expected after ordering mailboxes.
How Long Does Processing Take?
Google Mailboxes
Typically 1–4 hours for most mailboxes
Can sometimes take longer due to Google’s provisioning queue
If ordered in bulk, later mailboxes in the batch may take more time
Microsoft Mailboxes
Generally takes longer than Google
Can take 4–24 hours, especially during periods of high demand
Bulk orders of 20+ mailboxes can take up to 24 hours to fully provision
Common Causes of Delayed Processing
Cause #1: DNS Records Not Yet Complete
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records must be set up before mailboxes can finish provisioning. Make sure your domain’s DNS records are all present before expecting mailboxes to activate.
Cause #2: High Demand in the Provisioning Queue
Google and Microsoft process mailbox provisioning requests in queues. During peak times, your request may be delayed behind other orders.
Cause #3: Batch Ordering Delays
When you order multiple mailboxes at once, they are provisioned sequentially. The later mailboxes in a batch naturally take longer — this is normal behavior.
What You Should Do
Wait at least 4–6 hours before escalating — most mailboxes resolve on their own
For bulk orders (20+ mailboxes), wait up to 24 hours before reaching out
If still stuck after 24 hours, contact team@icemail.ai with your domain name and order details
What You Should NOT Do
Do NOT create more mailboxes on the same domain while others are still processing — this can cause additional delays
Do not delete and re-order stuck mailboxes without first contacting support
Need Help?
If your mailboxes have been in processing for more than 24 hours, contact the Icemail team at team@icemail.ai with your domain name and the number of affected mailboxes.