outlook email

If all standard fixes have already been tried and Outlook still cannot send or receive mail, use this order to isolate whether the problem is Outlook, Office, or the mailbox/service:

1. Check Outlook status at the bottom of the window.
   • If it shows Disconnected, Working Offline, or Trying to connect..., go to Send/Receive > Work Offline to switch back online.
   • Then try Send/Receive again.
2. Confirm internet access.
   • Open a browser and test whether common sites load.
   • If the device is offline, Outlook will not send or receive mail.
3. Check for a stuck large message in Outbox.
   • Open Outbox.
   • If an older message has an attachment larger than 20 MB, remove the attachment or replace it with a link, then send again.
   • A stuck large message can block later mail.
4. If the password was changed recently, update it in classic Outlook.
   • A password change on the mail account website must also be reflected in Outlook.
5. Start classic Outlook in safe mode to rule out add-ins.
   • Press the Windows key.
   • Type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter.
   • If mail works in safe mode, an add-in or profile issue is likely involved.
6. Repair the Outlook profile.
   • If safe mode helps, repair the profile or create a new Outlook profile.
   • This is a common fix when Outlook itself opens but mail flow fails.
7. Repair the Office installation.
   • Office repair is recommended when Outlook components are damaged.
   • This can take up to half an hour.
8. If Metered Connection Warning appears in Outlook for Microsoft 365, update Office.
   • Open any Office app.
   • Go to File > Office Account or Account.
   • Under Office Updates, check the version.
   • If it is earlier than version 2008 (Build 13127.20508), select Update Options > Update Now.
9. Check whether antivirus email scanning is blocking mail.
   • Some antivirus products can stop Outlook from sending or receiving after detecting a threat.
   • In that case, the antivirus product must be cleaned or corrected.
10. If none of the above works, run the Microsoft classic Outlook troubleshooters, then contact support.

• Microsoft recommends starting with the Classic Outlook troubleshooters page.
• If that does not resolve it, contact support.

If the problem also happens outside the Outlook app and all local fixes have already failed, the next step is support-assisted investigation.

• I can't send or receive messages in Outlook
• Can't send or receive email in Outlook and "Metered Connection Warning" is triggered
• Issues sending and receiving email