What "Checking Info" means and why it happens

When you add a Google account to your checking account and the screen stays on "Checking Info," Google is verifying that the account you entered actually exists and that you own it. This step usually takes a few seconds, but it can stall for several reasons: your internet connection dropped, Google's servers are slow that moment, the email address you entered has a typo, or your account has a security flag that needs manual review.

The most common cause is a typo in the email address. Google checks character by character, so tomas.herrera@gmail.com and tomas.herrera@gmial.com look like two different accounts to the system. The second one doesn't exist, so the check never completes — it just spins.

A second common cause is that your Google account has unusual login activity or hasn't been used in a long time. Google flags these for security and requires you to verify your identity before any new device or service can connect to it.

Key Takeaways

  • A typo in your email address is the most common reason the "Checking Info" screen freezes — double-check every letter before trying again.
  • If your Google account has a security flag, you must verify your identity through Google's own website before the checking account can connect to it.
  • Clearing your browser cache and cookies, then refreshing the page, fixes the problem in roughly half of cases where the connection simply stalled.
  • If the screen is still stuck after 5 minutes, close the browser tab entirely and start the process over from the beginning.

Check your email address for typos first

Before you do anything else, look at the email address you typed. Read it out loud or copy it into a text editor where you can see it more clearly. Common mistakes include swapping letters (gmail.com vs gmial.com), missing a dot (tomasherrera instead of tomas.herrera), or adding an extra character by accident.

If you find a typo, close the browser tab or window and start over. Do not refresh the page — refreshing sometimes keeps the wrong email in the form. Close it completely, then go back to your checking account and begin the Google account connection process again from the start.

Verify your Google account through Google's website

If the email address is correct and the screen is still stuck, your Google account may have a security hold. Google places these on accounts that show unusual login patterns or haven't been used recently. You must clear this hold before any new service can connect to your account.

Go to myaccount.google.com in a new browser tab and sign in with the same email address you were trying to add to your checking account. Google will ask you to verify your identity — usually by entering a code sent to your phone or recovery email. Complete this verification, then return to your checking account and try adding the Google account again.

This step often takes 5 to 10 minutes total. Once you have verified your identity on Google's site, the "Checking Info" screen should move forward within seconds on your next attempt.

Clear your browser cache and try again

Sometimes the "Checking Info" screen gets stuck because your browser is holding onto old data or the connection was interrupted mid-check. Clearing your cache and cookies forces your browser to start fresh.

On most browsers, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac). Select "All time" for the date range, check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files," then click Clear. Close the browser completely, reopen it, and go back to your checking account to try adding the Google account again.

Wait and refresh if the connection simply stalled

If you have verified your email address is correct and your Google account has no security holds, the screen may simply be stuck because the connection timed out. Wait 30 seconds without touching anything. If nothing changes, refresh the page once by pressing F5 or Ctrl + R.

If the page refreshes and you are back at the beginning of the Google account connection process, that is normal — the system did not complete the check the first time. Start over and enter your email address again. The second attempt usually works.

Start completely over if nothing else works

If you have checked your email for typos, verified your Google account, cleared your cache, and waited, and the "Checking Info" screen is still frozen after 5 minutes, close the browser tab entirely. Do not refresh — close it.

Wait 2 to 3 minutes, then open your checking account in a fresh browser tab and begin the Google account connection process from the beginning. This gives the system time to clear any stuck connection on the back end. On your second full attempt, the process should complete normally.

What to do if you see an error message instead of "Checking Info"

If the screen shows an error like "Account not found" or "Unable to verify," the problem is different from a stalled check. "Account not found" almost always means a typo in the email address — go back and check every character. "Unable to verify" usually means your Google account has a security hold or your password is wrong.

If you see "Unable to verify," go to myaccount.google.com, sign in, and complete any security verification Google asks for. If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on Google's sign-in page to reset it. Once you have reset your password and verified your identity, return to your checking account and try adding the Google account again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should "Checking Info" take?

Normally 3 to 10 seconds. If it is still spinning after 30 seconds, something has stalled. Wait one more minute, then refresh the page. If it is still stuck after that, close the tab and start over.

Will I lose my checking account if I close the browser tab?

No. Closing the tab only stops the Google account connection process. Your checking account itself is not affected. You can start the connection process over as many times as you need.

What if I do not remember which Google account I used?

If you have more than one Google account, try the one you use most often first. If that does not work, try the others. Each attempt will tell you whether the account exists, so you can narrow it down by process of elimination.

Can I use a Gmail alias instead of my main Gmail address?

It depends on your checking account provider. Some accept aliases, others do not. If you have set up an alias (like tomas+checking@gmail.com), try your main Gmail address first. If that does not work, contact your checking account provider to ask whether they support aliases.

Why does my checking account need to verify my Google account at all?

Your checking account is confirming that you own the Google account you are trying to connect. This prevents someone else from adding their Google account to your checking account without your permission. It is a security step, not a restriction.