Google Workspace Error Code invalid_grant: How to Fix It

Easy 5-10 minutes High Severity Verified June 2026
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Error Code
invalid_grant
Brand
Google Workspace
Product Type
productivity
Severity
High
DIY Difficulty
Easy
Estimated Fix Time
5-10 minutes
The invalid_grant error in Google Workspace occurs when your app's refresh token has expired, been revoked, or hasn't been used for over 6 months. This prevents third-party applications from accessing your Google Workspace data and requires re-authentication to restore functionality.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code invalid_grant

  1. Sign Out of the Affected Application

    Make sure to save any unsaved work before signing out

  2. Revoke Application Access in Google Account

  3. Clear Browser Data

    This will sign you out of other websites, so have your passwords ready

  4. Re-authenticate the Application

  5. Verify Application Permissions

  6. Test Application Functionality

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When to Call a Professional

Contact your IT administrator if you're using a corporate Google Workspace account with admin restrictions, or reach out to the third-party application's support team if the error persists after re-authentication. For custom integrations, consult with your development team to implement proper token refresh handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the invalid_grant error keep happening?
This error typically recurs when applications don't properly implement token refresh mechanisms or when refresh tokens aren't being used regularly. Google automatically expires refresh tokens after 6 months of inactivity for security reasons.
Will I lose my data when fixing this error?
No, fixing the invalid_grant error only affects the authentication between the third-party app and Google Workspace. Your actual data in Google Workspace and the third-party application remains intact.
How can I prevent this error in the future?
Use applications regularly (at least every 6 months), keep applications updated, and choose apps that properly implement Google's OAuth best practices with automatic token refresh capabilities.
Is my Google Workspace account compromised?
No, the invalid_grant error is a normal security feature, not a sign of compromise. It's Google's way of ensuring that unused app access doesn't remain active indefinitely for security purposes.
Can I fix this error on mobile apps?
Yes, the same steps apply. Sign out of the mobile app, clear the app's cache/data in your phone settings, then sign back in. You may need to uninstall and reinstall the app if clearing data isn't sufficient.

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