I can't send or receive messages in Outlook

1. Open a browser, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

2. Try entering one of the following websites in the address bar:

   1. http://www.microsoft.com

   2. http://www.bing.com

3. If you can't reach either of those two websites, see Fix network connection issues in Windows.

If that doesn't fix the problem, see the next section.

If you are having sync issues, you can force a manual sync by selecting the Sync button via the View tab on the Ribbon. A status message appears at the bottom of the message list while Outlook is syncing. For more information, please go to Sync to manually check for new mail and to send messages in Outlook.

If that doesn't fix the problem, see the next section.

Some email providers (such as your ISP or even Gmail) won't let you send messages larger than a certain size. Adding pictures and large attachments to your message can prevent you from sending that message (and any messages sent after the large message).

Go to your Outbox and then open the stuck email messages. Start with the oldest message first. If that message has an attachment that's larger than 20MB, delete the attachment and either attach a smaller file or attach a link to the attachment. For more information, go to Reduce attachment size to send large files with Outlook or Exchange Online limits.

Now try to send the message again. If that doesn't fix the problem, see the next section.

If you've changed your password on the website for your email account, you'll need to change it in new Outlook, too.  

1. Select the icon next to the email account name.

2. A pop up will appear prompting you to sign in. Select Continue.

3. Follow the prompts and enter the new password to sign in.

Please go to Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password for more information. 

If you know you’re using the correct password for your email account, and you see a message such as: Please create an app password for Outlook on your email provider's site.  

1. Go to your email provider to get the app password. Your email provider will provide instructions for how to generate an app password to use in email applications such as Outlook in place of your regular password.

2. After you get the app password from your provider, copy it, and then paste it when prompted for your account password in Outlook.

For more information, visit Add an email account to Outlook for Windows.

On the Outlook status bar, if you see Disconnected, Working Offline, or Trying to connect…, then Outlook can't reach the email server to send your mail.

To fix this problem, on the ribbon, select the Send/Receive tab, then, in the Preferences group, select Work Offline to toggle between offline mode and online mode. You may need to open the message and send it again or choose Send/Receive.

If that doesn't fix the problem, see the next section.

If you lose your connection to the internet, classic Outlook won't be able to send your messages.

1. Open a browser, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

2. Try entering one of the following websites in the address bar:

   1. http://www.microsoft.com

   2. http://www.bing.com

3. If you can't reach either of those two websites, see Fix network connection issues in Windows.

If that doesn't fix the problem, see the next section.

Some email providers (such as your ISP or even Gmail) won't let you send messages larger than a certain size. Adding pictures and large attachments to your message can prevent you from sending that message (and any messages sent after the large message).

Go to your Outbox and then open the stuck email messages. Start with the oldest message first. If that message has an attachment that's larger than 20MB, delete the attachment and either attach a smaller file or attach a link to the attachment. For more information, go to Reduce attachment size to send large files with Outlook.

Now try to send the message again. If that doesn't fix the problem, see the next section.

If you've changed your password on the website for your email account, you'll need to change it in classic Outlook, too. Please go to Reset a forgotten Microsoft account password for more information.

Some antivirus programs perform email scanning. If a virus is found, your antivirus software may prevent you from sending or receiving further email until you clean the virus.

Occasionally, the Outlook program may need to be repaired. Repairing is a simple process but may take as long as half an hour to complete. For more information, see Repair an Office application.

A profile is a group of settings that controls how Outlook works. It includes a listing of your accounts, autocomplete information, and your name and initials. To repair your Outlook profile or create a new one, see Fix your Outlook email connection by repairing your profile.

Sometimes, an Outlook add-in will crash and prevent your email messages from sending. To disable all add-ins, you can start Outlook in safe mode. If you can send email while Outlook is in safe mode, creating a new Outlook email profile should allow you to send email again.

To start Outlook in safe mode, press the Windows key on your keyboard. In the search box, type outlook.exe /safe, then press Enter.

For more information on creating a new email profile, see Create an Outlook profile.

For many types of email accounts, classic Outlook stores your messages in a Personal Folders File (.pst file). You can repair this file by running the Inbox Repair Tool. This repair should take approximately fifteen minutes. For more information, see Repair your Outlook personal folders file (.pst).