I cannot report phishing email, the button is missing

Question

I can no longer report an email as phishing as the button is missing. I've searched everywhere and it's no longer an option for me and doesn't appear.

Answer 1

Hi @Rizvi, Shan G,

It sounds like you are having an issue with the report button via Outlook, which rarely appears in most Outlook versions. I have checked on my side, and it seems like the report button works normally. 

To narrow down what is happening in your specific scenario, could you kindly confirm these following: 

1/ Are you using Outlook Desktop, New Outlook, Outlook on the Web, or the mobile app? 

2/ Do you see any “Report” button at all on the ribbon or in the message menu? 

3/ Is your email account a work/school account or a personal Microsoft account? 

4/ Have you recently switched to the “New Outlook” interface?  

5/ If able, can you provide a screenshot of the issue with your identity information censored? 

In the meantime, here are some possible steps you can try: 

1/ Check Outlook on the Web (OWA) at https://outlook.office.com 

2/ Update Outlook to the latest version, so you have the current reporting experience. 

3/ Confirm with your IT Admin if your organization has disabled user report in Microsoft 365 Defender settings or your organization may be using a third-party reporting add-in system via Email & collaboration - Microsoft Defender. 

Reference: Report phishing and suspicious emails in Outlook for admins - Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | M…. 

4/ Clear Outlook cache by following this thread: How do I clear my Outlook cache? - Microsoft Q&A. 

Note: Please understand that as a forum moderator, my primary goal is to provide helpful guidance and support through general troubleshooting steps. While I don’t have access to internal systems or test devices required to resolve backend/account issues, I truly appreciate your understanding of these limitations.  

I hope you find this information helpful. If you can provide more information as mentioned, I will be able to investigate the issue more clearly. 

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Answer 2

In supported Outlook versions, the phishing option is provided by the built‑in Report button. If that button is missing, the most likely causes are that user reporting is turned off or the organization is configured to use a non‑Microsoft add‑in instead.

For business Outlook on Windows (including the new Outlook), the following must be true for the Report button (and therefore Report phishing) to appear:

1. The Outlook client must be on a supported version
   • Outlook for Microsoft 365 Current Channel: Version 16.0.17827.15010 or later
   • Monthly Enterprise Channel: Version 16.0.18025.20000 or later
   • Semi-Annual Channel (Preview): Release 2502, build 16.0.18526.20024 or later
   • Semi-Annual Channel: Release 2502, build 16.0.18526.20024 or later
   • The new Outlook for Windows is also supported.
2. User reporting must be turned on by an admin
   • Admins control this in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal under User reported settings at https://security.microsoft.com/securitysettings/userSubmission.
   • If user reporting is turned off, the built‑in Report button will not be available.
3. The built‑in Report button must be selected (not a non‑Microsoft add‑in)
   • In User reported settings, if the admin chooses Use a non-Microsoft add-in button, the built‑in Report button is not shown, and reporting will instead rely on the configured add‑in.

If the button used to be present and disappeared, the most probable explanations are:

• The admin changed User reported settings to use a non‑Microsoft add‑in button or turned off user reporting.
• The Outlook client is not on a supported build/channel.

Recommended actions:

1. Verify Outlook version/build
   • In Outlook, check the version and channel and confirm it meets the minimum versions listed above.
2. Contact the Microsoft 365/Defender admin
   • Ask the admin to open the Microsoft 365 Defender portal → User reported settings (https://security.microsoft.com/securitysettings/userSubmission) and confirm:
     • User reporting is turned on.
     • The built‑in Report button is selected.

Once those conditions are met and Outlook is on a supported version, the Report button should appear on the ribbon, and Report phishing will be available from its dropdown.

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References:

• Report phishing and suspicious emails in Outlook for admins
• Transition from the Microsoft Report Message or the Report Phishing add-ins
• Classic Outlook Report button not removed after setting “Use a non-Microsoft add-in button”