Outlook is not sending or receiving mail
Outlook; menu names differ between versions
When to use this: Outlook is not sending or receiving mail — use these initial checks when this matches your situation. On a work or school device, follow your organization's policies and stop if a setting is managed.
- Confirm another trusted website loads.
- Check the correct mailbox and look for a connection or sign-in message.
- Check available mailbox and cloud storage through your provider’s official account page.
- Look in Outbox for a stuck message. Note its attachment size without repeatedly resending it.
- Send one short test message without an attachment to a trusted recipient.
Check the result: You know whether the issue affects all mail or a particular message.
Stop and get help when needed: Stop before deleting your mail profile, mailbox contents or account. For work mail, ask IT about service problems.
Need hands-on help?: Request DefenderTech support for individualized investigation or changes. We will explain the scope and estimate and ask for authorization before paid work begins. Do not include passwords, recovery keys or verification codes in your request.
Official references: - Microsoft guidance: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/i-can-t-send-or-receive-messages-in-outlook
Updated 2026-09-30