Emails getting stuck in outbox

Question

Why are my sent emails getting stuck in my outbox?

Answer 1

Emails can get stuck in the Outbox for several reasons:

1. Sent Items Folder Issue: If Outlook cannot locate and use the Sent Items folder, it may cause emails to remain in the Outbox. This can happen if the folder hierarchy is corrupted, such as when the Sent Items folder is mistakenly converted into the Archive folder.
2. Send Immediately When Connected Setting: If the Send immediately when connected option is not enabled, emails will stay in the Outbox until you manually initiate a send/receive operation. This setting can be adjusted in the Outlook options.
3. Deferred Delivery Rule: If you have a Deferred Delivery rule configured, it may delay the sending of emails. This rule can cause emails to remain in the Outbox for a specified period before they are sent.
4. DelegateSentItemsStyle Registry Value: If you are using a shared mailbox and the DelegateSentItemsStyle registry value is set to 1, sent emails may remain in the Outbox until you manually perform a send/receive operation.

By checking these settings and conditions, you can identify the cause of the issue and resolve it accordingly.

Answer 2

Hi @Bush, Judy,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I understand how inconvenient it can be when emails remain stuck in the Outbox instead of being sent.

Sometimes emails get stuck in the Outbox for a few simple reasons. It could be that Outlook isn’t connected to the internet or the connection is unstable. Large attachments can also slow things down or even stop the email from sending. In some cases, extra add-ins or a problem with your Outlook setup can interfere, and occasionally, issues with your account - like incorrect login details or syncing problems - can prevent messages from going out.

Here are suggestions you can try to help you get your messages moving again:

1. Check your internet connection

Sometimes, emails get stuck in the Outbox if there's no stable internet connection. Outlook may be unable to send the message if it cannot reach the mail server.

• Ensure you're connected to the internet.
• Try opening a webpage in your browser to test the connection.

1. Update Outlook

• Check for updates by going to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

1. Disable Add-Ins

Third-party add-ins in Outlook can sometimes disrupt its core functions, such as sending emails. These conflicts may cause messages to remain stuck in the Outbox.

• To disable add-ins, navigate to File > Options > Add-Ins. At the bottom of the window, select COM Add-ins and click Go.

Uncheck any add-ins you suspect might be causing problems, particularly those related to email handling or network connectivity.

Restart Outlook without these add-ins and try sending your email again.

1. Repair and reset Outlook 

Open Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps, search for Outlook, then select Repair, and afterward choose Reset. 

1. Clear Outlook cache 

Close the Outlook app. 

Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box. 

Type the following path into the Run box and press Enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache 

This will open the RoamCache folder containing the cache files associated with your Outlook profile. Usually, it's located at: C:\Users{User name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache 

Click anywhere within the folder, press Ctrl + A to select all files, and then press the Delete key to remove them. Alternatively, you can right-click the selection and choose the Delete option from the context menu. 

1. Contact IT admin 

• If the problem persists, I recommend contacting your IT administrator for further assistance. If needed, they can submit a support ticket through the Microsoft 365 admin center for further investigation. 

For your reference, please refer to 9 Fixes for Emails Stuck in Outlook Outbox.

Note: Microsoft provides this information only as a convenience to users. These websites are not controlled by Microsoft, and Microsoft does not guarantee the quality, security, or suitability of any software or information on them. It is important to fully understand the risks involved before using any of the suggestions in the links above. 

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.     

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to share them in the comments on this post so I can continue to support you.  

I look forward to your thoughts on this.

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