Introduction
Sometimes, emails don’t show up in your inbox, even when they were sent correctly. This article describes some common reasons why this happens.
Explanation
The Mailbox Is Full
If your inbox is full, new messages might bounce back. Try deleting old emails or clearing out your spam and deleted folders to free up space.
Spam Filters Blocked It
Email systems use filters to catch spam. Sometimes, these filters are too strict and block real messages. Check your spam or junk folder and mark the email as “Not Spam” if you find it there.
User-Set Rules Moved or Deleted the Email
You might have set up rules (also called filters) in your email settings that automatically move emails to folders, mark them as read, or even delete them. These rules can sometimes catch emails you didn’t mean to filter. Check your rules and see if any might be affecting the missing message. Check your spam/junk or deleted folder to locate it.
Email Forwarding Issues
If your email is set to forward to another account, make sure that forwarding is working properly. A broken forwarding rule can cause emails to disappear.
The Sender’s Email Was Rejected
Some email systems reject messages if the sender’s email doesn’t pass security checks. This can happen if the sender’s domain has a bad reputation or if their message looks suspicious.
Blocked Domains
Some organizations block emails from certain domains. If the sender is using one of these domains, their message might not reach you.
The Email Was Quarantined
Exchange Online sometimes holds emails in quarantine if they look risky. You will receive a message if an item is in quarantine.
The Email Was Sent to an Old or Inactive Account
If you’ve changed your email or stopped using an old one, messages sent there won’t reach you. Make sure people have your current address.
The Email Address Was Wrong
Even a small typo (like “gamil.com” instead of “gmail.com”) can stop an email from being delivered. Double-check that the sender used the correct address.