Microsoft Outlook

Question

I am not receiving "some" e-mails. I have checked junk and deleted folders. I have checked rules and blocked options. I have Microsoft 2021 for home and family. This is a relatively recent problem, within the past year.

Answer 1

Use the following checks in Outlook.com / Outlook on the web, since junk, deleted items, rules, and blocked senders were already reviewed:

1. Check the Focused/Other tabs and filters
   • In Outlook.com, open the Inbox and verify both Focused and Other tabs for missing messages.
   • Select Filter above the message list and set it to All so no filter hides messages.
2. Check Junk Email settings and folder again
   • Go to Settings > Mail > Junk email (or the equivalent Junk Email settings page) and confirm there are no entries or settings that could redirect those senders.
   • Open the Junk Email folder and, if any legitimate messages are there, right‑click and choose Mark as not junk / Not junk to train the filter.
3. Check Archive and other folders
   • Open the Archive folder and any custom folders to see if messages are being moved there.
   • If found, select the message and choose Move to > Inbox.
4. Check Inbox and Sweep rules in Outlook.com (again, from the web)
   • In Outlook.com, open Rules settings and confirm there are no Inbox or Sweep rules moving or deleting messages (including rules that might move mail to RSS feeds or other folders). Edit or delete any incorrect rule.
5. Check forwarding settings
   • In Outlook.com, open Settings > Mail > Forwarding and verify:
     • If forwarding is enabled, confirm whether keep a copy of forwarded messages is turned on. If it is off, messages can be forwarded to another account but not appear in Outlook.com at all. Turn it on if messages should stay in Outlook.com.
     • If forwarding is not needed, disable it.
6. Check blocked senders list from the web
   • Sign in to Outlook.com, go to Settings > Options/Mail > Blocked senders or Block and allow.
   • Remove any addresses or domains that should be allowed.
7. Ask specific senders to verify delivery
   • For senders whose messages never arrive (and no error is shown), ask them to review Sender Support in Outlook.com or contact Microsoft via postmaster.live.com as described in the guidance for missing messages.
8. Check recent sign‑in activity and account status
   • If there is any concern that the account was compromised or inactive, review the Recent activity page for the Microsoft account and ensure the Outlook.com mailbox has been signed into within the last year so it has not been closed.

If, after these steps, specific messages are still missing and never appear in any folder, the sender side (blocked, rejected, or misrouted mail) is the most likely cause, and those senders should use the Outlook.com sender support guidance.

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References:

• Can't send or receive email in Outlook.com
• Where are my email messages or calendar events in Mail and Calendar for Windows 10?
• Email is missing from your Outlook.com inbox
• I haven't received any email in Outlook for several months - Microsoft Q&A
• Not receiving emails in a timely manner. - Microsoft Q&A
• Stopped receiving emails on my account. - Microsoft Q&A

Answer 2

My :keep a copy of forwarded messages" was off. I turned it on and will monitor for success. All other suggestions were checked and confirmed to be ok.