Hotmail sent me a message about my daily limit and wouldn't let me send email...

Question

Hotmail sent me a message about my daily limit and wouldn't let me send email...

Roshonda 0

I have paid storage and haven't sent any emails, today...

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1 answer

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Answer 1

Stefan Blom 351.1K MVP Volunteer Moderator

The e-mail could be fake, possibly a phishing mail. Do not click any links inside it.

Roshonda 0 Reputation points

2026-09-09T19:58:34.1766667+00:00

There are no links.

I don't believe it's fake, because the account is literally not sending emails.
Stefan Blom 351.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-09T20:46:38.4966667+00:00

So you are getting a warning that you sent too many messages (exceeded some limit) but in fact you are unable to send e-mails?
Roshonda 0 Reputation points

2026-09-09T20:50:35.5833333+00:00

Exactly... doesn't specify anything.

The message reads, "The daily message limit helps us free the world from spammers--we're sorry that it's getting in your way."

The message I was trying to send would've been the first, today... and I only sent a couple, yesterday.
Stefan Blom 351.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-09T21:12:23.81+00:00

To ensure that nobody has accessed your account, check the recent activity by signing in to https://account.live.com/activity .
Roshonda 0 Reputation points

2026-09-09T21:15:50.67+00:00

I have... I've done everything that Google suggested, to check.
Stefan Blom 351.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-09T21:19:45.24+00:00

No signs of suspicious activity? That is good news, of course, but it is certainly strange.

The question is, what prompts the warnings that you exceed the limit? I can't think of an obvious answer, I'm afraid.
Hornblower409 14,600 Reputation points

2026-09-10T23:56:47.43+00:00

@Roshonda said

The message I was trying to send would've been the first, today.

How many people was the mail being sent to? Daily limit is also the number of recipients as well as number of emails.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/sending-limits-in-outlook-com

And, for a new account, or one that Mother Microsoft thinks has exhibited "unusual activity" (whatever that is, Microsoft does not say) or has a low "Reputation" the limits can be much, much lower.

See the "How can I increase sending limits?" section of the above article.