How to troubleshoot common Frontspin integration issues with Google Workspace

If you’re trying to get your sales workflow humming with Frontspin and Google Workspace, you’ve probably run into at least one maddening error message or sync issue. This guide is for anyone who's tired of vague help docs and just wants things to work—whether you’re in sales ops, IT, or just the lucky person who got handed the “integration” problem.

I’ll walk through the most common pain points with the Frontspin + Google Workspace connection, what actually fixes them, and when you’re better off not wasting your time. No fluff, just solutions that work (and a few that don’t).

Step 1: Check Your Basics (Don’t Skip This)

Before you dive into deep troubleshooting, cover the obvious. A lot of “integration” problems are just permissions or browser issues.

Is your Google account the right one?
Double-check you’re signed in with the exact Google account Frontspin should use—not your personal Gmail, not another company address.
Are you using Chrome?
Frontspin works best with Chrome. Other browsers might technically work, but you’ll hit weird problems.
Is your Chrome up to date?
Outdated browsers can break integrations.
Clear your cache and cookies.
Yes, it’s boring. Yes, it really does solve a bunch of random issues, especially with authentication.

Pro Tip:
Use Chrome’s Incognito mode to rule out extensions or cached data causing trouble.

Step 2: Diagnose Google Authentication Problems

Authentication is where most integrations fall apart. Frontspin relies on Google’s OAuth system (that’s the “Sign in with Google” pop-up). Here’s how it goes wrong and what to do:

Common Symptoms

You get a “Couldn’t sign in” or “Authorization failed” message.
You’re stuck in a login loop.
Google prompts for permissions every time (instead of just once).

What Fixes It

Revoke and Reauthorize Access
Go to Google Account Permissions.
Find “Frontspin” in the list and remove its access.
Head back to Frontspin, sign out, then sign back in and re-authorize Google access.
Pop-Up Blockers
Temporarily disable any pop-up or ad blockers.
Frontspin’s authentication flow needs to open a new window—if that’s blocked, it just fails silently.
Check Your Google Workspace Admin Settings
If you’re using a company Google account, your admin might have restricted third-party app access.
Ask your admin to whitelist Frontspin, or at least allow OAuth for trusted apps.
This is often buried in “API Controls” or “Third-party app access” in the Google Admin Console.

What Doesn’t Work:
Trying to use Frontspin with a delegated or shared mailbox. It wants a real, primary account.

Step 3: Fix Calendar and Email Sync Issues

Frontspin promises automatic logging of emails and calendar events. When this doesn’t work, it’s usually one of three things:

1. Missing Permissions

Did you grant Frontspin access to your Gmail and Calendar? Sometimes users skip the prompts.
Go back to Step 2 and re-authorize, making sure to grant all requested permissions.

2. Wrong Default Calendar

Frontspin can only see your “main” calendar, not sub-calendars or delegated calendars.
If your meetings live on a secondary calendar, they won’t sync. Move them to your primary calendar.

3. API Quotas or Delays

Google sometimes throttles API requests if you’re syncing a ton of data.
Wait an hour and see if new events or emails appear.
If sync is consistently delayed by more than a couple hours, contact Frontspin support—this isn’t something you can fix.

Pro Tip:
Don’t bother trying to sync calendars you don’t own. Frontspin just isn’t built for it.

Step 4: Deal with Contact and Data Sync Glitches

Syncing contacts and activity logs between Frontspin and Google Contacts can get messy.

Classic Problems

Contacts don’t show up in Frontspin after adding them in Google Contacts (or vice versa).
Duplicate contacts appear.
Some contact fields are empty or don’t match.

How to Fix

Check Sync Direction
Frontspin usually only syncs from Google Contacts into Frontspin, not the other way around.
Don’t expect changes in Frontspin to update Google Contacts unless that’s specifically enabled.
Field Mapping Confusion
If contact fields aren’t lining up, check Frontspin’s field mapping settings.
The integration only maps certain fields (like Name, Email, Phone). Notes, custom fields, or weird formats usually don’t sync.
De-Duplicate Manually
Frontspin isn’t great at merging duplicates. If you see doubles, delete or merge them manually in Google Contacts before syncing.

What to Ignore:
Don’t waste time expecting instant syncs. There’s always a lag (sometimes 10–15 minutes, sometimes longer if Google is throttling).

Step 5: Tackle Chrome Extension and Plugin Issues

Frontspin sometimes relies on a Chrome extension for click-to-call or email tracking features. This adds another layer of possible headaches.

Troubleshooting Steps

Is the extension installed and enabled?
Go to chrome://extensions and make sure Frontspin’s extension is turned on.
Is it up to date?
Remove and reinstall the extension to force an update.
Are there conflicting extensions?
Extensions like Grammarly, ad blockers, or security plugins can interfere. Try disabling them temporarily.
Do you see errors in the extension?
Click on the extension’s icon—sometimes it’ll give error messages or status info.

Pro Tip:
If you’re on a managed device, your IT admin may have blocked certain extensions. You’ll need their help.

Step 6: When to Escalate to Support

You’ve tried everything above, and it’s still busted? Time to get help. But don’t just open a ticket and hope for the best—give support something to work with.

Include screenshots of error messages.
Describe the exact steps you took.
List what you’ve already tried.
Mention if this is affecting one user or everyone.

Support teams move a lot faster when you give them specifics.

What Actually Works (and What to Ignore)

What works:

Starting with browser troubleshooting and permissions.
Re-authorizing access when in doubt.
Keeping expectations realistic: some sync delays are normal.

What doesn’t:

Waiting for instant syncs. Google’s APIs always delay things a bit.
Expecting Frontspin to magically merge or clean up your contacts.
Hoping support will help if you just say “it’s broken.” You need details.

Keep It Simple, Iterate as You Go

Most Frontspin + Google Workspace integration issues boil down to permission problems, browser quirks, or just plain sync delays. Don’t overcomplicate things—start simple, double-check the basics, and only dig deeper when you’ve ruled out the obvious.

If you’re stuck, try one fix at a time and test. It’s never as seamless as the marketing says, but with a little methodical troubleshooting (and maybe a nudge from support), you’ll get things running smoother. Good luck.