Can send mail but not receive to my outlook

Shosh Merchav 10 Reputation points
2026-01-17T17:10:03.0633333+00:00

Hello, I cannot receive any mail to my inbox, although I can send mail out. This is true for my current laptop, my new computer and my phone

Moved from: Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For home | Windows

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  1. AI answer

    2026-01-17T17:10:12.86+00:00

    If you can send mail but are unable to receive it in Outlook, there are several potential issues to consider:

    1. Check for Rules: Sometimes, rules can divert incoming emails to other folders or even the RSS feed. Ensure there are no rules set up that might be causing this issue.
    2. Metered Connection Warning: If you're on a metered connection, Outlook may restrict some functionalities. You can check if this warning is displayed and consider connecting to a non-metered network.
    3. Outdated Software: Ensure that your Outlook and Windows software are up to date. Running Windows Update can help resolve issues related to outdated software.
    4. Corrupted Profile: A corrupted Outlook profile can also lead to issues with receiving emails. Consider creating a new Outlook profile to see if that resolves the issue.
    5. Check Service Status: If multiple users in your organization are experiencing similar issues, it could be a service problem. Check the Microsoft 365 Service health status for any ongoing issues.
    6. Run Diagnostics: Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant to diagnose and fix issues with your Outlook setup.

    By checking these areas, you may be able to identify and resolve the issue preventing you from receiving emails.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Anonymous
    2026-01-18T03:39:16.7533333+00:00

    Hello Shosh Merchav

    Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand how urgent this is, you can send emails but cannot receive any on your laptop, new computer, and phone. Since this affects all devices, this is a server-side or account-level issue, not a device problem.

    Could you confirm whether you’ve tried the steps mentioned in the Q&A Assist reply above? If yes, what happens when you try?

    In the meantime, please try the following steps:

    1. Check if emails are arriving on Outlook on the web

    • Sign in to Outlook on the web and check all folders (Inbox, Junk, Deleted Items, Archive)
    • If emails are on web but not on devices, it's a sync issue
    • If no emails on web either, there's a delivery problem

    2. Check for hidden inbox rules

    Still in Outlook on the web's settings, go to:   

    • Settings > Mail > Rules/ Sweep: remove/disable any rule that moves/deletes mail
    • Settings > Mail > Forwarding: make sure forwarding is off (unless you intentionally use it)

    3. Check mailbox/storage quota

    If your mailbox is full, new emails won’t arrive. Check your storage under Settings > Account > Storage, free space if needed. You can see Mailbox storage limits in Outlook - Microsoft Support

    4. Check your internet connection

    • Make sure your device has a stable internet connection and try switching networks (e.g., switch from Wi-Fi to mobile hotspot) then test again.

    5. Test email delivery

    • Ask someone to send you a test email right now
    • Check immediately on Outlook web
    • Have them check if they receive a bounce-back/non-delivery report (and the exact text if any)

    If it still fails, to help me guide you more precisely, please share a bit more information, such as:

    • Which specific steps have you already tried?
    • Whether the problem occurs on Outlook.com web, the Outlook app (New Outlook or Classic Outlook), or both.

    For more details, please refer to this official guide: Can't send or receive email in Outlook.com - Microsoft Support

    Thank you for your understanding and patience. Feel free to let me know how it goes.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".    

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  3. John Macintyre 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-04T15:56:52.59+00:00

    If you can send email successfully but cannot receive any email, and the same problem happens on your laptop, new computer, and phone, I would focus on the Outlook.com account/mailbox rather than troubleshooting the individual devices.

    A few things to check:

    1. Check your mailbox storage. If your Microsoft cloud/mailbox storage is full, Outlook.com may stop receiving new messages.
    2. Search All folders. Search for a recent sender or subject and check Inbox, Junk Email, Deleted Items, Archive, and any custom folders. Also check the other tab if Focused Inbox is enabled.
    3. Check Rules. In Outlook.com, go to Settings → Mail → Rules. Make sure there isn't a rule automatically moving or deleting incoming messages.
    4. Check Forwarding. Go to Settings → Mail → Forwarding and make sure messages aren't being forwarded elsewhere.

    Check your Blocked and Safe Senders lists. Make sure important senders or domains haven't been blocked.

    Test from another email account. Send a simple test message to your Outlook address from Gmail or another independent account. Note the exact time and whether the sender receives a bounce/error message.

    The last test is especially useful. If you can send messages out but nothing from any external sender arrives, even after checking the folders and rules, this is less likely to be a problem with your laptop, phone, or Outlook app. It suggests that the issue needs to be investigated at the Outlook.com account/mailbox or mail-delivery level.

    When contacting Microsoft support, give them the details of a specific test message—sender address, recipient address, and exact time sent. That is much more useful for troubleshooting than simply saying "I can't receive email."

    For a broader step-by-step checklist covering situations where you can send email but cannot receive it, JustFixEmail also has an independent email troubleshooting resource.

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