Microsoft Storage Full

Question

I keep getting an error saying my storage is full 100.5GB used but when I go to manage it says only 40.9gb used but the error wont disappear even after logging out and logging back in. Its stopping me from sending any emails. Not the first time this has happened.

Answer 1

Hi Tenny,

Several users have reported the same problem today, so it might be a server issue. To ensure the possiblity that there is no glitch, could you verify it with another browser / Inprivate Window?

I’m eager to hear back and work together to find a solution.

Answer 2

The error is caused by Microsoft unified cloud storage being over quota, even if the mailbox view shows less usage. Outlook.com email, OneDrive, and other services share the same Microsoft storage pool, and if the unified total is above the limit, sending and receiving email is blocked.

Key points from the storage system:

• If Microsoft storage is exceeded:
  • Cannot send or receive email in Outlook.com, even if email storage itself is under quota.
  • OneDrive becomes read‑only for new uploads/edits.
  • Teams messages with attachments are blocked.
• Consumer mailboxes are capped at 100 GB; going over that unified limit triggers the “storage full” condition.

To restore sending in Outlook.com:

1. Check unified storage, not just mailbox storage
   • Use the storage pages referenced in the articles (for Outlook.com mailbox and OneDrive) to see:
     • Email storage usage
     • OneDrive usage
     • Any shared folders that count against the quota.
2. Free up Microsoft storage
   • Delete or move files from OneDrive (including large files, photos, and shared folders that push the account over quota). See “My OneDrive says it’s full” for causes such as:
     • Exceeded OneDrive quota
     • Shared folders making the account exceed storage
     • Quota reduced after a subscription or promotion expired.
   • Make sure deleted OneDrive items are also removed from the OneDrive recycle bin so the space is actually freed.
3. Free up email storage if close to 100 GB
   • In Outlook on the web or new Outlook, go to Settings > Account > Storage (per “Mailbox storage limits in Outlook”) and use the mailbox cleanup options to permanently delete items from large folders (Deleted Items, Junk Email, Sent Items, etc.).
4. Confirm subscription and quota
   • If a Microsoft 365 subscription or promotional storage (for example, a 100 GB bonus) expired, the quota may have dropped, making the current data exceed the new lower limit. Check the Microsoft account services page as described in the OneDrive article.
5. If still blocked after freeing space
   • After reducing storage below the quota, allow some time for the status to update across services, then sign out and back in again.
   • If the unified storage indicator still shows over limit while OneDrive and mailbox both appear under their individual limits, contact Microsoft support from Outlook.com’s Help menu so support can check the unified storage state on the backend.

Until the unified Microsoft storage total is below the quota, Outlook.com will continue to block sending and receiving mail, even if the mailbox page alone shows only ~40 GB used.

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References:

• Storage limits in Outlook.com
• My OneDrive says it's full
• Microsoft storage FAQs
• My email message doesn't send
• Mailbox storage limits in Outlook
• Microsoft storage limit exceeded - Microsoft Q&A
• storage exceeded in outlook after purchasing MS 365 subscription - Microsoft Q&A