Not receiving emails from certain users

Question

I'm not receiving emails from certain users or businesses and it's been an ongoing issue for a year. I have already checked storage space, adjusted safe senders list, blocked lists, junk folders, I don't have any rules set etc. I use outlook live on the web on phone and laptop and same problem persists.

Answer 1

Hi Shaun

I hope you are doing well ! I just want to check if you have had a chance to test the steps earlier? Please let me know if they helped resolve the issue or if you are still experiencing any difficulties. I am here to assist you further.

Best Regards

Answer 2

Dear Shaun

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand how frustrating it is to miss important emails. Since you’ve already tried some steps, please go ahead with a few troubleshooting actions: 

1. Check the “Message Trace”–like settings in personal Outlook 

Outlook.com provides settings that can help determine whether messages reached your account or were filtered. Please go to: https://outlook.live.com > Settings > Mail > Junk email, scroll down and make sure: 

• “Trust email from my contacts” is turned off. 
• “Block attachments, pictures, and links from anyone not in my Safe senders list” is turned off. 

2. Ask the affected senders to check their delivery status 

• Please ask the senders to verify: 
  • Their IP/domain reputation with Microsoft (SNDS):  https://sendersupport.olc.protection.outlook.com/snds/ 
  • Whether their server is blocked in the Outlook.com Postmaster system:  https://sendersupport.olc.protection.outlook.com/pm/ 

If they see errors such as 550 5.7.1, blocked, or spam‑like characteristics, the issue must be fixed on their side. 

3. Check the “Other” inbox (Focused Inbox) 

• In Outlook Web, select: Filter > Sort > Show all 
• Then review both Focused and Other tabs. 

4. Turn off any third‑party email forwarding 

• In Outlook Web: Settings > Mail > Forwarding 
• Ensure forwarding is disabled unless you intentionally turned it on. 

5. Try searching your entire mailbox 

Some messages may be incorrectly tagged or misplaced. In the Outlook Web search bar, try [from:sender@example.com] or is:all 

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