Junk Mail in Outlook

Question

Junk Mail in Outlook

Joy Olson 20

Since the beginning of August, 2026, I am getting about 5-7 times the amount of junk mail in my Outlook account that I used to get. I have tried Classic Outlook and new Outlook - same problem. Does anyone know what has happened to cause this change? I'm considering moving to GMail!

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Answer accepted by question author

Vikki-T 9,585 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Joy Olson,

I can understand why such a sharp increase in unwanted mail would be frustrating, especially when the same thing happens in both classic Outlook and new Outlook.

At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in the AI generated answer on your thread. That reply typically include the most relevant checks for this scenario.

To narrow this down, are these messages reaching your Inbox, or are they already being placed in the Junk Email folder? Also, is this a personal Outlook.com account, or a Microsoft 365 work or school account?

If the messages are reaching your Inbox, select them and use Report > Report junk or Report phishing when appropriate, rather than simply deleting them. You can also review Settings > Mail > Junk email and check the Blocked senders and domains list. If the messages repeatedly come from the same domain, you may add that domain to the blocked list.

For classic Outlook, you can also review the protection level under Home > Block > Junk E-mail Options. Be careful with the High setting, since it may occasionally move legitimate messages to Junk.

If the increase is only visible in the Junk Email folder, the filter may still be identifying the messages correctly, even though Outlook cannot prevent outside senders from sending them to your address. In that case, avoid opening links or using the unsubscribe option in suspicious messages, and continue reporting them as junk or phishing. Thank you so much for your understanding.

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.

Joy Olson 20 Reputation points

2026-09-03T12:53:19.74+00:00

This is a personal Outlook account. The junk mail goes directly to Junk - not my Inbox. I have tried everything AI and the Moderator have suggested.
Vikki-T 9,585 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-04T09:46:21.78+00:00

Hi Joy Olson,

Thank you for confirming that this is a personal Outlook.com account and that the messages are being delivered to the Junk Email folder rather than your Inbox.

Since Outlook is already identifying and separating these messages correctly, the issue appears to be the increased volume of incoming spam rather than a failure of the Junk Email filter. Switching between classic Outlook and new Outlook would not change the volume because both access the same Outlook.com mailbox.

As you have already completed the suggested checks, there may not be another setting that can prevent outside senders from attempting to contact your address. Please continue using Report phishing for suspicious messages instead of interacting with links or unsubscribe options contained in them.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and community contributors, including external Microsoft staff, cannot access your mailbox or make changes to Outlook.com’s server-side filtering. If you would like the increased volume reviewed more closely at the account level, you can contact Outlook.com Support by signing and selecting Help > Help, then Still need help? > Yes.

I understand that this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, but the fact that the messages are being routed to Junk indicates that Outlook is currently preventing them from cluttering your Inbox. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Joy Olson 20 Reputation points

2026-09-04T14:27:08.6266667+00:00

Thanks for the information about how to have the problem reviewed at the account level. I'll send the request to Outlook.com Support.
Vikki-T 9,585 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-05T07:49:41.8+00:00

Hi Joy Olson,

You’re very welcome and thank you for your understanding. I know the increased amount of junk mail has been frustrating, and I hope Outlook.com Support can review the situation more closely and provide further assistance.

I appreciate your patience, and I hope the issue improves soon.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Joy Olson 20 Reputation points

2026-09-03T12:53:19.74+00:00

This is a personal Outlook account. The junk mail goes directly to Junk - not my Inbox. I have tried everything AI and the Moderator have suggested.
Vikki-T 9,585 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-04T09:46:21.78+00:00

Hi Joy Olson,

Thank you for confirming that this is a personal Outlook.com account and that the messages are being delivered to the Junk Email folder rather than your Inbox.

Since Outlook is already identifying and separating these messages correctly, the issue appears to be the increased volume of incoming spam rather than a failure of the Junk Email filter. Switching between classic Outlook and new Outlook would not change the volume because both access the same Outlook.com mailbox.

As you have already completed the suggested checks, there may not be another setting that can prevent outside senders from attempting to contact your address. Please continue using Report phishing for suspicious messages instead of interacting with links or unsubscribe options contained in them.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and community contributors, including external Microsoft staff, cannot access your mailbox or make changes to Outlook.com’s server-side filtering. If you would like the increased volume reviewed more closely at the account level, you can contact Outlook.com Support by signing and selecting Help > Help, then Still need help? > Yes.

I understand that this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, but the fact that the messages are being routed to Junk indicates that Outlook is currently preventing them from cluttering your Inbox. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Joy Olson 20 Reputation points

2026-09-04T14:27:08.6266667+00:00

Thanks for the information about how to have the problem reviewed at the account level. I'll send the request to Outlook.com Support.
Vikki-T 9,585 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-05T07:49:41.8+00:00

Hi Joy Olson,

You’re very welcome and thank you for your understanding. I know the increased amount of junk mail has been frustrating, and I hope Outlook.com Support can review the situation more closely and provide further assistance.

I appreciate your patience, and I hope the issue improves soon.

Answer 1

Bulldog 4,235

Unfortunately, this is the new normal. The email address of just about everyone who uses a computer is floating around on the internet, where 'entrepreneurs' package them and sell them to spammers. If the spam is going to your junk folder, Outlook is working correctly.

No one can prevent a spammer from sending email to your address. I get dozens of spam messages every day. (And I use GMail.)

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