report phishing option missing

Question

Hello,

I cannot locate the "report phishing" option on my email account.

how do i make this option available to me

Thank you

Answer 1

To make the "Report phishing" option available in your Outlook account, ensure that you are using a supported version of Outlook and that user reporting is enabled. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Check Outlook Version: The built-in Report button is available in the following versions:
   • Outlook for Microsoft 365 (Current channel: Version 16.0.17827.15010 or later)
   • Outlook for Mac version 16.89 (24090815) or later
   • Outlook for iOS version 4.2511 or later
   • Outlook for Android version 4.2446 or later
   • The new Outlook for Windows
   • Outlook on the web
2. Enable User Reporting: Ensure that user reporting is turned on in your organization's settings. If it is turned off, the Report button will not be available.
3. Configuration Settings: The built-in Report button must be configured in the user reported settings. You may need to reach out to your IT administrator to verify these settings.

If you have checked all the above and still do not see the option, consider contacting Microsoft Support for further assistance.

---

References:

• Use the built-in Report button in Outlook
• User reported settings

Answer 2

Dear @Fisherman's Retreat, 

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.   

I understand how inconvenient it can be when the “Report phishing” option does not appear in Outlook. 

There are a few common reasons why the “Report phishing” option may be missing in Outlook: 

• User reporting may be disabled in your organization’s Microsoft 365 Defender settings. When the “Monitor reported messages in Outlook” option is turned off, the reporting experience (Report / Report phishing / Report junk) will not appear. 
• Your organization may be using a third‑party reporting add‑in instead of the built‑in Outlook reporting button. 
• Your Outlook app version may not support the feature. 

To help me better understand the situation and assist you effectively, could you please share a few details such as:    

1/ When you are in your Inbox and select any email, do you see a Report button in the Outlook ribbon? 

2/ Have you updated Outlook and your operating system? If so, what Outlook version are you currently using? 

3/ Are you using Outlook for desktop or Outlook on the web? 

This will help us better understand the context and provide more targeted support. Any additional information will help us better understand and support you.     

Since you did not specify whether your account is a work, school, or personal account, please try the following steps to help verify the issue: 

Option 1: Confirm your Outlook version supports "Report phishing" 

This ensures that you’re using an Outlook version where the feature is available, as older or unsupported versions may not display the Report phishing button. 

Please refer to the version requirements provided in Q&A Assist for more details. 

 

Option 2: Try Outlook on the web 

Testing on Outlook Web helps determine whether the issue is related to the desktop app or your account settings.  

Sign in at office.com > Apps > Outlook, then check whether the Report phishing option is available there. 

 

Option 3: Repair the Outlook app 

Repairing Outlook can fix corrupted files or misconfigurations that may prevent certain buttons or features from appearing. 

This article provides further guidance on the topic: Repair an Office application - Microsoft Support 

 

Option 4: Clear Outlook cache  

Clearing the cache removes outdated or corrupted temporary data that may cause the interface, such as the Report phishing button to not load correctly. 

Close the Outlook app completely.  

Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows + R.  

Type or paste the following command and click OK:  

olk.exe --devtools  

   

The new Outlook will open (you may need to sign in), and the DevTools window will appear.  

In DevTools:   

Click Application on the toolbar.  

Clear local storage cache: Under Storage, find https://outlook.office.com., under Local Storage, right-click it, and select Clear.  

 

Clear cookies: Under Cookies, locate https://outlook.office.com., right-click it, and select Clear.  

 

Close the DevTools window.  

Once completed, the cache for the new Outlook will be cleared. Please note this process removes temporary files, including saved login credentials, so you may need to sign in again. 

 

Option 5: Reinstall Outlook app 

Reinstalling ensures a completely fresh setup of Outlook, eliminating any lingering issues from previous installations.  Uninstall Office apps, then reinstall them:  

Go to office.com > Apps > Install apps > Microsoft 365 apps > Apps & devices > Install Office.    

 

Option 6: Contact your IT admin to verify reporting settings 

For work or school accounts, the Report phishing feature may be disabled by your organization. Your IT admin can confirm whether these settings are enabled: 

Go to: https://security.microsoft.com 

Sign in with an admin account. 

Go to System > Settings > User reported settings. 

Select Monitor reported messages in Outlook and Use the built-in Report button in Outlook. 

 

As community moderators, we kindly ask for your understanding that our access to internal development details is limited. Our primary role is to guide users toward the appropriate resources and support channels. While we may not have visibility into performing deeper backend analysis, we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.  

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 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. 

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have any extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

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.