problem deleting emails

Question

my system is windows 11, microsoft 365. the inbox messages won't delete. i've tried repair thru systems app, multiple repair attempts thru the account settings.

can i please speak to someone

Answer 1

Hi!

1. Is your email personal, corporate, or educational?
2. Is your email from your custom domain (@yourname.com, @companyname.com), Microsoft (@outlook.com or @hotmail.com), Google (@gmail.com), or a third-party domain?
3. You said you tried to repair it. Did you try repairing the Inbox using SCANPST?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/repair-outlook-data-files-pst-and-ost-25663bc3-11ec-4412-86c4-60458afc5253

1. If it's an email with a custom domain, access the webmail provided by your email provider and delete the email from there. This helps determine if it's a synchronization problem.

If you don't have a custom domain, but rather a Microsoft domain, answer these questions and perform these tests:

1. Have you tried logging in using a browser, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome? Try logging in to https://outlook.live.com/mail/
2. Are you able to log in on a different device?

• You can test it in the Outlook Mobile app: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-outlook/id951937596 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.outlook&hl=en_us
• Test it in the New Outlook app for Windows: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nrx63209r7b?hl=en-US&gl=US

Answer 2

final advice was accepted and worked. thanks.

Answer 3

In Outlook for Windows on Microsoft 365, when messages will not delete, use the supported troubleshooting methods below that apply to Outlook rather than Windows repair.

1. Close all mail clients

• Exit Outlook and any other apps that access the same mailbox (including Outlook on the web and mobile apps).
• Reopen Outlook and try deleting the messages again.

2. Try deleting in Outlook on the web

• Sign in to Outlook on the web for the same account.
• Try deleting the same messages there.
• If deletion works on the web but not in the desktop app, Outlook for Windows likely needs repair or cleanup (see steps 3–4).

3. Run Outlook cleanup command switches Exit Outlook completely, then run these commands one at a time:

• Press Start and type:
  • outlook /cleanreminders → press Enter.
• After that completes, press Start and type:
  • outlook /cleandmrecords → press Enter.

Then start Outlook again and try to delete the messages.

4. Edit and then delete the stuck message For any specific message that refuses to delete:

1. In Outlook, double‑click the email to open it in its own window.
2. On the ribbon, in the Move group, select Actions > Edit Message.
3. Add or remove a few characters in the body.
4. Select File > Save.
5. Close the message window and try deleting it again.

5. Empty Deleted Items If Deleted Items is full or contains corrupted items, empty it:

• Right‑click Deleted Items and choose Empty Folder (if available), or delete its contents.
• Then try deleting from Inbox again.

6. Repair Office (already attempted) Repairing Microsoft 365 from Windows 11 “Installed apps” is valid and already done. If the problem persists after the Outlook‑specific steps above, proceed to direct support.
7. Contact a support agent For Outlook.com or Microsoft account–based mailboxes, use Outlook.com support:

• Go to Outlook.com and sign in.
• Select Help on the menu bar.
• Enter the issue (for example, “Inbox messages won’t delete in Outlook for Windows”).
• If self‑help does not resolve it, scroll down to Still need help? and select Yes.
• Choose the option to chat with a support agent in the browser (if available) and follow the prompts.

If phone support is required for other Microsoft services, use the customer service phone numbers page referenced in the context.

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References:

• You can't remove a calendar item or an email message in Outlook in Microsoft 365
• Repair an Office application
• Emails deleted from Outlook.com are reverting back to the Inbox
• Delete email in Outlook.com
• Need to speak to a agent I am getting pop up draft scam emails - Microsoft Q&A
• I need to talk to someone!! - Microsoft Q&A