How Do I Fix My “Outlook Emails Stuck in Outbox” Error- 6 Easy Tips

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  • Updated on April 25th, 2025

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Email remains a key communication tool for both inOutlook is a widely used and reliable email client among users. However, users often encounter the issue of “Outlook emails stuck in Outbox.” It is an annoying situation, especially when you have to send urgent messages. There are many reasons, such as large attachments, poor internet connectivity, or incorrect settings, that can be the cause of getting emails stuck. This blog will explore potential causes of this issue and offer solutions to help you resolve the issue and send your emails successfully.

What cause Outlook Messages Stuck in Outbox?

When Outlook messages get queued in Outlook, it is usually due to one or more of the following factors:

  • If you are offline, then Outlook won’t be able to send the message.
  • Sometimes Outlook is accidentally set to Work Offline, which prevents messages from being sent.
  • Big file attachments can delay or make the message stuck.
  • Corruption of the Outbox folder or a corrupt Outlook profile causes an error.
  • Incorrect email account settings or password issues cause an error.
  • Some add-ins or antivirus tools might be interfering with Outlook.

Manual Methods to Fix Outlook Emails Stuck Error

Here are some manual methods to fix the Outlook error:

Run Outlook in Safe Mode and Fix Emails Keep Getting Stuck in Outbox

Starting Outlook in Safe Mode disables all non-essential add-ins and customizations. This helps to establish if an add-in or other customizations are responsible for the error.

Steps:

  1. Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
  2. While holding Ctrl, click on the Outlook shortcut to open the application.
  3. A prompt will appear—click Yes to confirm that you want to start Outlook in Safe Mode.
  4. Try accessing your emails, calendar, contacts, and other Outlook data.
  5. Monitor the synchronization status with your mail server.
  6. Once you’ve identified and resolved the issue, close Outlook.
  7. Reopen it normally (without holding Ctrl) to return to default mode.

Fix “Outlook Emails Stuck in Outbox” By Updating Outlook

Older versions of Outlook may be vulnerable to bugs and performance problems. Staying updated with the latest version ensures you benefit from the newest bug fixes, feature improvements, and security patches.

Steps:

  1. Launch the Outlook application on your computer.
  2. After that, tap the File tab in the top-left corner of the window.  
  3. Next, select Office Account from the sidebar to access update settings.  
  4. Here, under Product Information, click Update Options.  
  5. If updates are available, select Update Now and follow the prompts to install them.
  6. Once the update process is complete, restart Outlook to apply the changes and see if the issue is resolved.

Automated Solution to Repair PST File

When you solve the “Outlook Emails Stuck in Outbox” error using the manual method, there is a chance of PST file corruption. To fix or solve PST file corruption, use the PST Recovery Tool. This tool efficiently repairs your PST file data without any data loss. It is one of the best recovery tools that is popular among users due to its effectiveness, user interface, and other functionalities. Also, the tool provides ca conversion feature that enables you to convert your damaged PST into another file format. Moreover, the tool supports all the versions of your released Outlook and Windows OS.

Simple Steps to Fix Outlook Not Sending Emails Stuck in Outbox

  1. Download the PST recovery tool on your  PC and run it as an administrator.
  2. After that, click the Open button to browse and select the PST file.
  3. Then, choose the recovery mode as per your needs.
  4. After that, apply the feature and select the file format.
  5. Now, provide the desired saving location to save the file.
  6. In the end, click on the Save button.

Conclusion

Getting emails stuck in Outlook’s Outbox is a frequent issue, but it’s generally simple to resolve. With the proper steps, you can resolve the “Outlook emails stuck in Outbox” and have your emails sent correctly again. To prevent this issue in the future, keep Outlook updated and minimize large attachments, as they can cause delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can a large attachment prevent the email from sending?

Answer: Yes. The majority of email servers impose size limits (typically 20–25 MB). If your attachment is larger than that, it will keep the email stuck.

Q. Is reinstalling Outlook a solution for emails stuck in the Outbox?Answer: Reinstalling Outlook is usually not the initial step in addressing emails stuck in the Outbox. Before you go through a full reinstallation, there are a few easier ways that you should attempt first. These fixes can easily solve the problem without requiring a full reinstall, which will save you time and effort.

You can also read: How to Resolve Outlook Error code 0x800ccc0d in Windows 10?

About The Author:

Raj is a skilled technical writer who makes complicated topics easy to understand. With experience in email and cloud migration, he creates clear and engaging content that helps readers learn about technology. His work is trusted by many and has been featured on well-known tech sites.

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