Mailto Links Not Opening an Email Draft in Chrome

If clicking a mailto: link in Google Chrome doesn’t open a new email draft, it’s usually due to default app or protocol settings on your computer — not an issue with the link itself.

This guide will walk you through how to fix it.

Why This Happens

A mailto: link tells your computer:

“Open your default email app and create a new message to this address.”

If your default email app or Chrome protocol settings are misconfigured, nothing will happen when you click the link.

Solution 1: Enable Protocol Handlers in Chrome

1. Open Chrome.

2. In the address bar, type:
   chrome://settings/handlers

3. Make sure “Sites can ask to handle protocols” is turned ON.

If this is off, Chrome will ignore mailto links.

Solution 2: Set Your Default Email App (Windows)

If you're using Windows:

1. Open Settings

2. Go to Apps

3. Click Default Apps

4. Search for MAILTO

5. Select your preferred email application (e.g., Outlook)

If no app is selected, mailto links won’t open anything.

Solution 3: Use Gmail as Your Default (Browser-Based Email)

If you use Gmail in Chrome:

1. Open Gmail in Chrome.

2. Look in the address bar for a small double diamond icon (protocol handler).

3. Click it.

4. Select:
   Allow mail.google.com to open all email links

5. Click Done

If you don’t see the icon:

• Make sure protocol handlers are enabled (see Solution 1).

• Refresh Gmail after enabling.

Solution 4: Restart Chrome

After making changes:

• Fully close Chrome

• Reopen it

• Test the mailto link again

Still Not Working?

Check the following:

• Was Outlook recently updated or reinstalled?

• Did a Windows update reset your default apps?

• Are you using a browser other than Chrome?

If the issue continues, contact your IT administrator with the following information:

• Your operating system (Windows/Mac)

• Your default email app

• What happens when you click the link (nothing, error message, pop-up, etc.)