Only getting junk emails and not getting any normal acceptable emails not intended for junk folder

Question

Starting last Monday I stopped getting ANY normal, non-junk emails, but I have continued to get intended junk emails in my junk folder (200+ a day). I have had this hotmail address for over 25 years and never have had this happen. I need help in getting my normal, non-junk emails again.

Answer 1

@The Crittendens said

I stopped getting ANY normal, non-junk emails, but I have continued to get intended junk emails in my junk folder

If the steps suggested by the AI Answer did not help you find your normal mail, then you need to consider the possibility that your email account has been hacked and something is redirecting or deleting your normal mail.

Use Outlook Web https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/ to:

Check for any Rules
File -> Settings -> Email -> Rules

Any auto forwarding
File -> Settings -> Email -> Forwarding and IMAP. If you see a [Sign in] button, do it

If you see any signs that you account has been tampered with, use these instructions to secure your account
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/how-to-recover-a-hacked-or-compromised-microsoft-account-24ca907d-bcdf-a44b-4656-47f0cd89c245

Answer 2

Since junk mail is still arriving but normal mail is not, the issue is likely mailbox-side rather than an Outlook app reinstall issue. Check Outlook.com in a browser and work through these steps:

1. Check all message locations:
   • Inbox
   • Other tab
   • Junk Email
   • Deleted Items
   • Archive
   • Any custom folders Also make sure the message list is sorted correctly: Filter > Sort > Date.
2. Check Junk Email handling:
   • Open Junk Email settings and review the Blocked senders list.
   • If legitimate messages are in Junk, right-click each one and choose Mark as not junk.
   • If a sender was blocked by mistake, remove that sender from the blocked list and add the sender to Safe senders.
3. Check for rules that move or delete mail:
   • Go to Settings > Mail > Rules.
   • Remove or disable any rule that moves, deletes, or redirects incoming mail.
4. Check forwarding:
   • Verify that mail forwarding is not enabled and redirecting messages away from the mailbox.
5. Send a test message from another email account:
   • If the message does not appear in any folder, ask the sender whether they received a non-delivery report.
6. If the issue continues, contact Outlook.com support from within Outlook.com:
   • Select Help on the menu bar or the ? help icon.
   • Search for the issue.
   • Scroll to Still need help? and select Yes.
   • Choose the support option in the browser.

Reinstalling Outlook does not address this type of mailbox delivery problem.

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