I can’t receive mail

Question

I can’t receive mail, I can send but can’t receive

Answer 1

Hi David Newton

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. From your description, you’re able to send emails from Outlook on Android, but new emails aren’t arriving.

Before we proceed, could you confirm if you’ve tried the steps mentioned in the Q&A Assist reply above? If yes, did you face any difficulties with those steps?

Also just to confirm, are you not receiving any emails at all, or only emails from specific senders?

In the meantime, please try these steps:

1. Check Outlook on the web

• Sign in to Outlook on the web in your browser and see if new emails are showing there.
• Check all folders (Inbox, Junk Email, Deleted Items, Archive), ensure your inbox filter is set to All (not "Unread", "Flagged", etc.)
• Check Focused / Other tab (if Focused Inbox is enabled), emails may land in Other. You can also temporarily turn Focused Inbox off to test.

2. Check for hidden rules/forwarding 

In Outlook on the web's settings, go to:  

• Settings > Mail > Rules/ Sweep: delete any suspicious rules you did not create (especially rules that moves/deletes mail)
• Settings > Mail > Forwarding: make sure nothing is forwarding

3. Reset the account inside the Outlook app

• Open the Outlook app on your phone
• Tap your profile picture (top left) > tap the Settings (gear icon) at the bottom
• Under Accounts, tap your account > scroll down > Reset account
• Wait a few minutes and check if emails appear

4. If that doesn’t help, remove and re-add the account

• In the same place, tap Remove account
• Close the app completely, then reopen Outlook.
• Tap Add account, and sign in with your account

5. Clear App cache

• Go to Settings > Apps > Outlook > Storage & cache
• Tap Clear storage and Clear cache.
• Reopen Outlook and sign in again.

I truly hope this helps! If you’re still can't receive emails after trying these steps, please let me know and I’d happy to help you further.

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Answer 2

If you can send emails but cannot receive them in Outlook, there are several potential issues to consider. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow:

1. Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure that you have a stable internet connection, as connectivity issues can prevent emails from being received.
2. Check Spam/Junk Folder: Sometimes, emails may be directed to your spam or junk folder. Make sure to check there for any missing emails.
3. Review Account Settings: Ensure that your account settings are correctly configured. You may want to remove and re-add your email account to refresh the settings.
4. Check for Temporary Mailbox Issues: If you are using a temporary mailbox, as mentioned in some troubleshooting scenarios, you may need to reconnect to your Exchange server properly. This can involve creating a new Outlook profile and ensuring that your Exchange account is set as default.
5. Repair Outlook: If the issue persists, consider repairing your Outlook installation. This can resolve various issues related to sending and receiving emails.
6. Check for Third-Party Applications: Sometimes, third-party applications can interfere with Outlook's ability to receive emails. Ensure that no such applications are causing conflicts.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to consult with your IT department or refer to Microsoft's support resources for further assistance.

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References:

• Can't send or receive email in Outlook and "Metered Connection Warning" is triggered
• Help Identify My Issue with Sending/Receiving Email in Outlook (Automatic Checks)