Update October 25 2017: Users are reporting that the Safe and Blocked lists are working again, following the installation of the most recent update.
Update: July 14 2017: some users are reporting problems with the junk filtering in Outlook 2007 - 2016. Poor filtering could be due, in part, to the retirement of SmartScreen, which means the exiting junk filter definitions will not be updated. See Deprecating support for SmartScreen in Outlook and Exchange for more information.
However, there appears to be a problem where Outlook is not blocking addresses on the blocked senders list. When using the 'safe sender only' option, Outlook is letting addresses through that are not on the safe sender list. The product team is aware of the issue.
Potential workaround: Change the encryption setting for the account to Auto. In File, Account Settings double click on your email account. Click More Settings... click Advanced tab. Change the "Use the following type of encrypted connection to Auto. Please post in comments if this fixes it.
Note: Server-side spam filtering is generally the best option as it removes the spam from your Inbox before you download load it. Smartphone users won't waste data downloading spam (unless they look in the junk mail folder from their phone); on the desktop side, with an IMAP account, Outlook will sync the Junk mail folder, making it easy to review.
In Outlook 2010 and up, expand the Junk button the ribbon, then select Junk E-Mail Options to view the Safe and Blocked Senders lists. Verify that your address is not on the Safe Sender or Safe Recipient list. These two lists override the Blocked Sender list and the junk mail filter.
If you use Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007 and junk email filtering doesn't seem to be working, go to Tools, Options, Junk Email options and verify that your address is not on the Safe Sender or Safe Recipient list.
If you have more than one account configured in Outlook 2010 and newer, each account will have it's own junk email settings.
If you will never send email to yourself, add your address to the blocked senders list. This prevents spammers from faking you as the sender to send you spam.
More Information
- Add EU to the International Blocked TLD List
- Automatically Cleanup Outlook's Deleted Item and Junk Email Folders
- Blocking Mail From New Top-Level Domains
- Bulk Add Addresses to Safe and Blocked Senders Lists
- Don't Get Caught In a Phishing Hack
- Empty Multiple Deleted Items Folders using a Macro
- How to Block Foreign Spam
- Icon is not correct on the Junk Mail Folder
- Junk Email Filtering isn't Working in Outlook
- Junk Mail Filtering in Outlook
- Office 365 Fraud Detection Checks
- Outlook's "Not Junk" option isn't available
- Rules and Tools to Filter Junk Mail
- Samsung smartphones move email to the Junk folder
- Sending Autoreplies to Spammers
- Should You Respond to Junk Mail?
- Understanding the Safe and Blocked Senders lists
- Using Outlook's Junk Filter with Multiple Accounts
- Using Outlook's Junk Mail filter
- What Moved a Message to the Junk E-mail Folder?
Ken says
Changing encryption to auto at least partly solved the problem. Lots of files were caught but a couple snuck by. I should probably re-boot or at least re-start outlook. (Before it wasn't catching any of junk in the list.) Thanks for your help.
Patrick Smith says
Have you tried another solution?
I was through the mill last year searching for something. I eventually found the right one and it's definitely easier to use that the one I had before - the free out of the box one.
WILLIAM says
My Outlook junk mail settings have become DEMOCRAT , any email i receive that is GUN related or TRUMP related is put in my junk mail I continue to go thru and put mail as NOT JUNK but nothing seems to work .I am a Gun toting Republican that loves my President .DO I HAVE TO STOP USING OUTLOOK BECAUSE I AM REPUBLICAN ????
Ruthless Libtard says
Yes you do.
Joshua Burstyn says
Maybe it is a user issue?
Diane Poremsky says
More likely a junk filter-issue, especially if he uses a 3rd party antivirus.
none of your buisness says
auto encytion did not work for me either look outlook get off your lazy butt and fix the issue instead of blaming it on us. Your custormer service are a bunch of lazy inconsiderate dumbos who think they know evverything but they not even close go get a proper education and quit blaming problems on the consumer,
Regards,
A angry outlook user
Diane Poremsky says
You do realize this is not a Microsoft web site?
Are you using Outlook on the web or Outlook desktop software? If desktop software, which version and build of Outlook are you using? See File, Office Account for the information.
Justin Miller says
The irony is strong in this one.
Margaret Abbott says
Setting encryption connection to auto did not work for me.
Susan D Kirby says
I could not find the Auto setting under "Click More Settings... click Advanced tab. Change the "Use the following type of encrypted connection to Auto." recommended above. There was one under the GENERAL setting but it was already checked and the problem of blocked senders getting through was still happening.
Diane Poremsky says
What version of Outlook do you use? Both incoming and outgoing have an auto settings - the person who said it worked fixed their problem did not specificy which one, but i would assume incoming (since outbound wouldn't go through the junk filter).
gayle says
I am using outlook 2017 (not the 365 version). My outlook was already set on Auto so that solution did not work. The toolbar junk is grey and not clickable but the right click junk works. my income pop 995; I checked required encrypted SSL/TLS; outgoing server 587, connection is AUTO; incoming is securepop.siteprotect.com; outoing is smtp.siteprotect.com
Diane Poremsky says
Is there a possibility that you set a registry key to disable the junk mail feature? When this is set, it totally disables all junk filtering and the dialogs, but i forget if it disables the right click menu too.
https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/how-to-disable-outlooks-junk-email-filter/
David Parker says
I have Office 365 ver 1709 build 8528.2139, however I still see a couple domains that are reaching my inbox, despite the fact I added them to the blocked sender list. Not sure what to do, except to wait for MS...
Diane Poremsky says
make sure you have the correct domain, otherwise, wait for an update.
Richard J Jacobs says
I too can confirm that the newest Office 365 patch version 1709 build 8528.2139 finally fixes the broken Outlook safe list spam filter, the one that's been broken for at least three months. HOORAY. But just to be safe, I've disabled automatic updates again until I can test them on another machine.
Janet H. says
I'm thrilled to notice that in the past couple days, my Outlook is once again sending a lot of the email spam to the Junk Email folder - like in the past!
Johny Murphy says
Latest October patch didn't fix this either.
Honey Brook says
The Oct patch I got on Tues Oct 17 finally works. It is version 1709 build 8528.2139. I am so happy that my junk email is now going to the junk email folder again. I use the safe lists only setting.
Diane Poremsky says
Thanks for the update.
Dave says
Is there any new info about this? Is it going to be fixed?
Diane Poremsky says
I haven't heard anything lately. To the best of my knowledge, they are planning to fix the problems with the safe/blocked lists, but basic filtering will lose it's effectiveness as time passes as they have stopped updating the filter definitions.
Larry says
Try unchecking the box in junk options that allows addresses on your Contacts list to get through. Could be you need to keep an address but don't want emails from it.
Anne says
I've ended up setting up 'rules' with the domains in the senders address to move to the junk mail folder. more of a hassle, but get's rid of the worst offenders
Diane Poremsky says
Try changing the encryption setting for the account to Auto.
File, Account Settings then double click on your email account. Click More Settings... click Advanced tab. Change the "Use the following type of encrypted connection to Auto.
Does this fix it? Someone said it did and i need verification.
J K says
Changing the type of encryption connection to Auto did not work for me...
Diane Poremsky says
Thanks. Hoping MS fixes this soon. :(
Ben Henderson says
IS THERE ANY IDEA WHEN THE JUNK EMAIL FILTERING PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED..(VERY ANNOYING)
Diane Poremsky says
No, not yet. Sorry.
Diane Poremsky says
Try changing the encryption setting for the account to Auto.
File, Account Settings then double click on your email account. Click More Settings... click Advanced tab. Change the "Use the following type of encrypted connection to Auto.
Does this fix it?
Squeky says
I have email addresses in blocked senders list and the email still go to my in box....
very annoying and disappointing that its not getting addressed.
Diane Poremsky says
As far as i know, it will be fixed, I just don't know when.
Diane Poremsky says
Try changing the encryption setting for the account to Auto.
File, Account Settings then double click on your email account. Click More Settings... click Advanced tab. Change the "Use the following type of encrypted connection to Auto.
Does this fix it?
Abdul says
This problem still hasn't been resolved. I'm using Office 365 and I found the problem started after an office365 update in July. The latest version of Office is build 1707 (see your office version via File>Office Account in Outlook). In both Build 1707 and 1706 the junk mail filters do not work. However, in build 1705 they do work. I've have done a roll back from 1707 to 1705 and my junk mail in Outlook is now working perfectly. I have had to disable the office updates until Microsoft resolve this issue. By the way, Microsoft Support had had two attempts toresolve this problem on my PC without success. They won't officially acknowledge there is a widespread problem with the Outlook Junk Mail Filters. As a result, I've spent weeks looking for a solution and eventually found one search various forums. I hope this helps.
Mike says
I have Office 2016 Professional and the junk email filters were not working. I just rolled back my Office Version from build 1706 to 1705. The junk email filers are still not working. Perhaps the rollback works for Office 365 but it certainly doesn't for Office 2016 Professional.
Diane Poremsky says
It should work... but I don't have a non-subscription version to test with.
Anne says
Totally agree that it's caused by ms updates. I'm using Outlook 2016 on win 10.Only started after win 10 update; eventually reinstalled Outlook and it worked for 3 weeks until next outlook update!
Damir says
The problem is MS update that disabled the junk filters completely. MS is aware of the problem but will not officially acknowledge it. I found on workaround that fixed my problem:
PLEASE NOTE: This is a work around, not a solution, we'll have to wait for Microsoft to get around to that.
This procedure rolled me back to the previous Version 1705 (Build 8201.2102) on June 13, 2017. This is the version prior to MS breaking the junk mail filter.
Read this first for a more through understanding, especially for 2013 users.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2770432/how-to-revert-to-an-earlier-version-of-office-2013-or-office-2016-clic
The Good version (FOR ME) is Version 1705 (Build 8201.2102) on June 13, 2017
cd "%programfiles%Common FilesMicrosoft SharedClickToRun"
officec2rclient /update user updatetoversion=16.0.8201.2102
This step is very important. The repair process re-enables automatic updates. To prevent the newest version of Office Click-to-Run from being automatically re-installed, follow these steps:
Start Outlook.
Click File, and then click Office Account.
In the Product Information column, click Update Options, and then click Disable Updates.
CCV says
That worked!
Thanks!
Bethany Coates says
This work around worked for me too, thank you!
Glyn says
Thank you so much, was tearing my hair out. After not checking emails for a couple of days I had over 400!! Shame on Microsoft. My next move was going to be Thunderbird.
Lori Stockdale says
Any news as to when this horrible bug is going to be fixed...???? Thanks.
Diane Poremsky says
No. I don't think it will be fixed the Aug updates but they could surprise us.
Byrne W says
Definitely agree with Janet H. on Outlook 2013 -- I've checked the email addresses of several of the ones I've added to "Junk" / "Block", and they are the same, so I'm positive it's not working.
Diane Poremsky says
Yeah, it broke with a recent update. :(
Janet H. says
I am following this thread because I am recently began having the same problem with my Outlook 2013 not filtering any of the clearly junk mail into the junk mail folder like it used to do. I hope the MS engineers get it figured out soon. It's helpful to know it's not just me. Thank you.
Susan Harris says
Outlook 365. It seems to not block the domain when requested to do so. My addresses are not on the safe recipients list
Diane Poremsky says
Yeah, this is a know issue with recent updates. They are working on it.
Cindy Mendez says
We're battling the problem in our office, as well. This is a mess!
Scott Hendison says
Seeing the July 14th date at the top of this page makes me realize i'm not alone.
Outlook 365 junk mail filtering has basically ceased to function for me over the past week or so. I used to get 100+ messages in my inbox daily that make it past our server filters, but then used to go to the Outlook junk folder. Now i'm lucky if 2 or 3 a day get flagged by Outlook -
Even set on High, and verified that my email is not in the safe recipient list
Richard J Jacobs says
Safe list in Outlook 365 is once again failing to block messages from those
not on the safe list, resulting in spam appearing in the in box. This has resulted
from the latest Office 365 update yesterday. This is has been an on-and-off
major problem with Outlook 2016 depending on what update has been
rolled out, and MS engineers obviously still don't have a handle on it.
Diane Poremsky says
They are aware of the problem with the other recent update.
Andrea Szabo says
HI I Set the junk filtering to high and make sure all of the updates are installed - microsoft releases update junk filter definitions almost monthly.
My address is not on the safe lists. But everytime I close outlook it doesnt retain this default and reverts to LOW>>>>>>>>>
What can i do. What is causing this can you assist..
:)
Teri says
I keep running into this where a spammer keeps getting through. I am getting blasted with spam from noreply@myempowr.com and different version like @empowrmail.com even though I have added them to blocked senders and keep marking it "block sender" when it gets through. Is there anything else I can do?
Thank you.
Diane Poremsky says
Do you have your address on one of the safe list or in contacts and trust contacts? Anything on the safe list overrides the blocked list.
Jose says
My Outlook spam filter isn't worth a sh*t. Every has been set for maximum protection.
Diane Poremsky says
What version of Outlook? Is this with an IMAP account? The filter doesn't always work well with IMAP because it runs after the entire message is downloaded and IMAP pulls the header first then the body.
Bruce Small says
What can i do if my outlook 2007 is set up as IMAP as Required for my gmail account
Helen Walker says
I have outlook 2007 and am a named email addressee from a BT account so cannot get a new email address.. I have tried safe senders and blocked senders but still tons of junk.
Diane Poremsky says
Set the junk filtering to high and make sure all of the updates are installed - microsoft releases update junk filter definitions almost monthly.
Make sure your address is not on the safe lists.
Try Sue's low maintenance method at https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/rules/rules-and-tools-to-filter-junk-mail/ - it's a simple set of rules that precedes the junk mail filter works well in all versions. (Rule # 4 will let spam addressed to you in.) If you don't normally send yourself email, a rule that deletes mail from your address will also be helpful.
Bernd says
Confirmed, "@yahoo.com" is not on the safe recipient list. I do have the option checked that says all of my contacts are to be considered "safe". I can add individual/full xxx@yahoo.com addresses to the blocked list and those work but of course they "Spammers" will use a different address next time - that is why I want to block all for yahoo.com with a couple of exceptions. Question -Does the Junk filter run before any other "rules" that have been set up? Thanks.
Diane Poremsky says
Junk filtering ruins first, then rules. Adding yahoo.com to the blocked domains should work.
Bernd Diblik says
I have added @yahoo.com and yahoo.com to my blocked senders list in Outlook 2007 junk filter but it is not working - what can I check to see what is going on and/or to correct this? Thanks
Diane Poremsky says
Make sure the recipient is not on the safe list or in a trusted contacts folder.
bennettnv says
this seems to be working thank you so much ive been plagued for weeks now with masses of junk!
Al says
What does that do as for not being able to edit the blocked senders list? I can't delete or edit any of the listings in any of my Outlook 2010 Junk e-mail files.
Gene Scott says
I have been experiencing this problem with Office 365 home for at least 2 months. It only seems to be affecting my big new Asus desktop gamer. My little netbook, the spam filtering is fine, same Office 365 download in February. I spent about an hour on hold with MS support and them looking at everything. This is terrible. Outlook does not obey any of my spam rules, totally ignores what I say to block.
Diane Poremsky says
Do you have the same build # on both? If not, you can roll one back and then set it to not update.
https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/2013/uninstall-update-office-2013-click-run/