When your inbox goes quiet, it’s not always a sign of peace. It can mean something’s wrong behind the scenes. Whether you’re waiting on a client update or an important password reset, not receiving emails can slow everything down.
In fact, a 2024 study found the average email deliverability rate across multiple email service providers was 83.1% — which means about 16.9% of all emails never reach their intended recipient’s inbox.
The good news is most delivery issues come down to a few common causes — and they’re usually quick to fix. Here’s how to find out why you’re not getting emails and what to do about it in Gmail or Outlook.
Common reasons you’re not receiving emails
Before diving into Gmail or Outlook fixes, it’s worth understanding why emails stop arriving in the first place. Most issues come down to a handful of predictable culprits — filters, full inboxes, or sync failures. Knowing where to look saves time and helps you rule out the obvious first.
Here are the most common reasons:
Spam or Junk filters: Email providers automatically flag suspicious messages to protect you from scams or phishing attempts. Occasionally, they get it wrong and route legitimate messages to Spam.
Inbox storage is full: Both Gmail and Outlook have storage limits. Once you reach capacity, new emails can’t be delivered until space is freed up. Large attachments and old messages often take up the most room.
Filters or forwarding rules: Custom rules can move, archive, or delete emails automatically. If you’ve set up filters or forwarding in the past, they may still be redirecting messages without you realizing.
Sync or connection issues: Email clients rely on a stable internet connection to pull new messages. A brief network interruption or offline mode can stop syncing and make your inbox appear frozen.
Account configuration errors: When using multiple accounts or third-party apps, incorrect POP or IMAP settings can prevent emails from downloading correctly.
Sender-side problems: Sometimes the issue isn’t on your end. The sender may have used the wrong address, or their email was blocked by your provider’s spam filters.
Quick fixes when you’re not getting emails
Before you start adjusting settings or reinstalling apps, run through this short list to cover the basics:
Check your Spam and Trash folders for misfiled messages.
Make sure your inbox has available storage space.
Review filters, rules, and forwarding settings to ensure nothing’s being rerouted.
Confirm your account syncs properly on desktop and mobile.
Send yourself a test email from another account to check delivery.
If any of these checks reveal something unusual, you’ve likely found the root cause — and the next sections will guide you through how to fix it step-by-step.
Why am I not getting emails in Gmail?
Gmail’s automatic filters and large storage make it reliable, but even a small setting error can block incoming messages.
Follow these steps to fix Gmail delivery issues:
1. Check the Spam folder
Gmail’s machine-learning filters are smart but not perfect. Sometimes real messages land in Spam.
Go to the Spam folder on the left-hand panel.
If you see a message that shouldn’t be there, open it and click Not spam to move it back to your inbox.
Add the sender to your contacts to help prevent future misclassification.
2. Review filters and blocked addresses
Custom filters or blocked senders can reroute emails without you realizing.
Go to Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses.
Check for filters that archive, delete, or skip your inbox.
Remove any rules that might apply incorrectly.
If someone is on your Blocked Addresses list, unblock them to start receiving their messages again.
3. Check forwarding settings
Forwarding can redirect messages to another inbox, leaving your main one empty.
Go to Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
Check if forwarding is enabled and which address it uses.
If the address isn’t yours, disable forwarding or change it.
4. Clear up storage space
If your Google storage (shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos) is full, new emails can’t be delivered.
Visit Google One Storage to see usage.
Delete large attachments, old drafts, or unused Drive files.
Empty your Trash and Spam to free up more space.
5. Verify account sync
Sometimes Gmail stops syncing because of a browser issue or temporary bug.
Refresh your browser or try opening Gmail in Incognito mode.
Clear your cache and cookies.
Log out, then log back in to reset the connection.
If you’re using Gmail on your phone, syncing and notification issues can cause delays.
Open the Gmail app.
Tap Menu → All Mail to see if emails appear outside the main inbox.
Check Spam and Promotions tabs.
Go to your phone’s Settings → Accounts → Sync Gmail and make sure it’s enabled.
Confirm notifications are turned on in both the Gmail app and device settings.
If the issue continues, update or reinstall the app.
Why am I not getting emails in Outlook?
Outlook can also stop receiving messages for similar reasons — filters, focused inbox settings, or storage limits.
Follow these steps to troubleshoot:
1. Check the Junk Email folder
Start with the simplest fix.
Go to Junk Email in your sidebar.
If you find legitimate emails, right-click them and select Not Junk to move them back to the inbox.
2. Verify Focused Inbox settings
Outlook automatically divides your inbox into Focused and Other tabs. Some messages may go to the wrong one.
Go to the View tab and select Show Focused Inbox.
Check both sections for missing emails.
If you prefer one unified inbox, turn off Focused Inbox entirely.
3. Check rules and filters
Outlook’s rules can automatically file, delete, or move incoming emails.
Go to Home → Rules → Manage Rules & Alerts.
Review each rule carefully and uncheck any that shouldn’t apply.
Related read: [insert Fyxer link on managing filters or rules]
4. Check mailbox storage
Large mailboxes can prevent new messages from syncing.
Empty your Deleted Items and Junk folders.
Archive old emails locally or move them to OneDrive.
If using Outlook.com, log in to see if a storage warning appears at the bottom.
5. Verify server connection
You may be offline without realizing it.
Go to Send/Receive → Work Offline and ensure it’s unchecked.
Try restarting Outlook to reconnect.
If you’re using a corporate Exchange or IMAP account, confirm your IT admin hasn’t changed server settings.
6. Update Outlook
Outdated software can interrupt syncing.
Go to File → Office Account → Update Options → Update Now.
Restart Outlook after installation.
Outlook web and mobile fixes
If you’re using Outlook in your browser or on your phone, a few extra settings could be blocking new emails from showing up. These quick checks help you reset sync, clear filters, and make sure everything is connected properly.
Go to Settings → View all Outlook settings → Mail → Rules.
Review and delete unnecessary filters that might be moving emails automatically.
Check Junk Email → Blocked Senders and Domains. Remove any legitimate contacts so future messages arrive safely.
For Outlook mobile:
Open the app and go to Settings → Accounts.
Confirm sync is active and connected to the correct account.
Update or reinstall the app if messages still aren’t coming through.
How to prevent future email delivery issues
Email issues often come back if settings aren’t maintained. Small oversights in filters, storage, or sync settings can quietly build up and block new messages. The good news is that keeping your inbox in top shape only takes a few consistent habits.
Here are our tips for long-term email reliability:
Check Spam and Trash folders weekly to catch false positives before they’re auto-deleted.
Keep inbox storage below 90% of capacity in both Gmail and Outlook to avoid delivery delays.
Unsubscribe from unnecessary marketing emails: These can clog up your inbox and take up space in your limited storage.
Whitelist trusted senders in your contacts list so important emails never get filtered out.
Review filters monthly to ensure rules still match how you work. Old automation rules can easily misfire.
Enable two-step verification to protect against unauthorized access and accidental lockouts.
Keep apps and browsers updated so you’re always running the latest security and sync improvements.
Maintain a stable internet connection during sync — especially if you’re using multiple devices or cloud storage integrations.
We recommend reviewing these settings quarterly, just like you would with any other work system. A few minutes of maintenance can save hours of troubleshooting later.
When your inbox stops working, productivity does too. Fyxer helps you stay in control by keeping messages organized, prioritized, and easy to find — so important emails never slip through the cracks.
Why are my emails going to spam instead of my inbox?
Spam filters look for suspicious patterns, links, or keywords. If a sender’s domain is new or flagged, Gmail and Outlook may filter it out. Mark legitimate messages as Not spam and add the sender to your contacts to train your inbox.
How can I check if my email storage is full?
In Gmail, visit Google One Storage. In Outlook, check the bottom-left corner of your inbox or go to File → Info → Mailbox Settings → Cleanup Tools. Delete old attachments or empty Junk folders to free up space.
Why am I not getting emails from one specific sender?
Ask the sender to confirm they didn’t receive a bounce message. If they did, it’s likely a typo in your address or their domain has been blocked. Check your blocked list and filters, then ask them to resend.
Do filters or labels affect new emails?
Yes. Filters can automatically archive or skip your inbox. Review them regularly in Gmail’s Settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses or Outlook’s Rules section to ensure important messages don’t get buried.
Can antivirus or firewalls block incoming emails?
Yes, certain antivirus tools or network firewalls can interfere with email syncing. Temporarily disable them to test, or whitelist Gmail and Outlook URLs in your security settings.archiv
Ready to get started?
Transform your team's productivity with Fyxer's AI-powered email management.
