Fixed: Outlook Not Sending Emails but Receiving

To ensure seamless back-and-forth communication via Outlook emails. Users must take appropriate action to fix the issue.

This article will help you understand the issue and guide you through 8 solutions to fix “cannot send email from Outlook but receive.” I have also answered some of users’ most frequently asked questions about the issue.

Table of Contents:

• What causes Microsoft Outlook not to send emails but to Receive them?
• Basic Troubleshooting Solutions
• 8 Guaranteed Solutions to Fix Outlook Receiving Mail but Not Sending Issue

So, without wasting any more time, let’s dive deeper into the problem and start solving it.

Common Causes

Network Connection Issues: A stable internet connection is necessary for sending or receiving emails. Therefore, an unstable or slow internet connection might be the reason users can receive emails but cannot send emails in Outlook.

• Incorrect Email Account Settings: Improperly configured SMTP settings can also stop emails from being sent to another Outlook account.
  
• Issues with Outlook Server: A problematic Outlook server can also affect the email-sending process.
  
• Antivirus or Firewall Settings: Third-party applications like Antivirus applications can also prevent you from sending emails.
  
• Large Attachments or Files: Large or oversized attachments or files can hinder the sending process.
  
• Issues with Outlook Outbox: A problematic or corrupt Outlook Outbox can stop emails from getting sent.

Now that we have understood the causes. It’s time to start fixing the problem.

Basic Troubleshooting Solution

Before you proceed with the fixes, try these two preliminary checks.

1: Verify Internet Connection: Ensure your system is connected to a stable internet network.

2: Ensure Outlook is Online: You must also ensure that your Outlook is not in offline mode.

In most cases, these basic solutions are enough to fix the problem of emails not sending in Outlook. Suppose you are still struggling with the problem. I suggest you try the next solutions.

How To Fix the “Microsoft Outlook Can Receive But Not Send Emails” Issue?

• Clear Outbox
• Disable Add-ins
• Check for Server Issues
• Check Antivirus and Firewall Settings
• Check Email Account Settings
• Update Outlook
• Repair Outlook Profile
• Recreate Email Account

Depending upon the cause of the problem, you can try the solutions to fix Outlook issues. For example, if you think your Outlook’s Outbox is causing trouble, you can try clearing Outbox. Suppose your Outlook Add-ins stop you from sending emails; then try disabling the Add-ins.

Similar to Add-ins, you can also try disabling firewall and Antivirus software. If you assume they are the primary cause behind the error.

The next solutions involve checking for server issues. If the Outlook application caused the problem, solutions like updating, repairing, and recreating Outlook profiles can help.

Solution 1. Clear Outbox

The Outbox temporarily holds emails being sent or queued for sending but have not yet been delivered to the recipient’s server.

Clearing the Outbox can help you resolve the issue of emails not sending.

Clearing or deleting older emails will free up essential system resources and boost storage space, clearing the blockage and allowing new emails to be sent. This will fix any performance-related sending issues.

• Launch the Outlook application and navigate to the Outbox folder.
• Delete or move any stuck emails.
• Draft and try resending the email. (If you send large attachments or files, I suggest you compress them).

Suppose the Outbox solution was unhelpful. Try the next solution, like disabling Add-ins and other solutions.

Solution 2. Disable Add-ins

Outlook Add-ins can sometimes interfere with email functionality, preventing emails from being sent and, in some cases, also being received.
In such cases, disabling Add-ins can be very helpful in fixing the issues.

• Launch the Outlook application.
• Go to File > Options > Add-ins. Click on the Go button.
• Uncheck the add-ins you want to disable and click on the OK button.

• Restart Outlook and enable add-ins one by one to identify the problematic ones.

Once you find the problematic Add-in, I suggest you permanently remove and reinstall it to see if this helps.

Solution 3. Check for Server Issues

When Outlook is receiving but not sending emails, one possible cause is server-related issues.

I recommend you use Outlook’s test account settings option.

• Launch Outlook.
• Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
• Select your email account and click Change.

• Click Test Account Settings to see if Outlook can connect to the SMTP server.

• Review any error messages and troubleshoot accordingly.

If you are using Microsoft 365, you can check the status of your email server using the Microsoft Service Status website or contact support. And Wait for the server issues to be resolved.

Solution 4. Check Antivirus and Firewall Settings

Antivirus programs and firewalls can sometimes block outgoing emails, causing issues with sending messages in Outlook.

The solution in such cases is to disable your installed Antivirus and Windows Defender Firewall.

• Disable the Antivirus and Firewall.
• Try sending an Email.
• If the email has been sent without issue, you must now configure security software to allow Outlook.
• Re-enable Antivirus and Firewall.
• Configure the Antivirus and Firewall and add Outlook (Outlook.exe) to the allowed or trusted applications list.
• Try sending another email from Outlook. Ensure the emails are being sent successfully without being blocked.

Solution 5. Check Email Account Settings

Incorrect settings can prevent email sending.

• Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
• Select your email account and click Change.
• Verify your SMTP server settings and port numbers.
• Ensure the correct encryption method is selected.

Solution 6. Update Outlook

An outdated version of Outlook might cause issues.

• Go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

• Install any available updates.

Solution 7. Repair Outlook Profile

A corrupted profile can cause email-sending issues.

• Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
• Select your email account and click Repair.

• Follow the prompts to complete the repair process.

Solution 8. Recreate Email Account

If all else fails, remove and re-add your email account.

• Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
• Select your email account and click Remove.

• Restart Outlook.
• Add your email account again and configure the settings.

Conclusion

Following these steps can resolve the issue of Outlook receiving but not sending emails. If the problem persists, consider seeking professional assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions