If you view the Outbox while messages are waiting to be sent, the messages are marked as read and won't send.
This is caused by a Net framework add-in you have installed that 'reads' Outlook items, including the Send to OneNote addin, BCM (Business Contact Manager), and more recently, the iCloud add-in installed by iTunes. A list of other add-ins known to cause this behavior is listed below.
Antivirus/security software is often the culprit as it is looking for viruses and spam. Disable add-ins installed by the security software to solve.
iCloud is quickly passing Anti-virus add-ins as a frequent cause. It's installed by iTunes and if you are not using syncing with an Apple device using iCloud, you can disable it. Apple also installs two additional add-ins (Change Notifier and Outlook Add-in) that are not needed if you don't sync with an Apple device. If you are using iCloud, avoid viewing the Outbox and switch to another folder before re-sending messages you opened from the Outbox. See Outlook and iCloud 2: What you need to know for the more information.
To send the affected messages, you'll need to open the message, then switch to a different folder before clicking Send on the message. Do not go open the Outbox until after the messages are sent.
To identify the add-in that results in this behavior:
In Outlook 2010 though current versions, look in File tab, Options, Add-ins. Disable the add-ins and re-enable them one at a time and test. In Outlook 2007 Look in Tools, Trust Center, Add-ins.
Click Go button at the bottom of the dialog to disable add-ins. Select Disabled Add-ins from the dropdown menu to re-enable add-ins.
Since BCM and possibly other add-ins are not listed in the COM add-in list, check
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins
If using Windows 64-bit, addins are in the following HKEY_LOCAL _MACHINE key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\AddIns
When you use a 64-bit OS, some add-ins are listed under both HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE locations. Check the HKEY_LOCAL _MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node path first but if its listed in both locations, you may need to set LoadBehavior to 0 in both locations.
Export the keys then change the LoadBehavior value to 0 to disconnect an add-in. Restart Outlook and test.
If you need a quick tutorial on editing the registry, see How to Edit the Registry
Applications responsible
The following is a list of some of the applications which are reported to cause message to be marked as read. If you use these or any other add-ins, check for a newer version or an update - newer versions of some of these applications will not cause problems. If the problem is caused by the newest version, disable or uninstall the addin.
- iCloud addin. used to sync with Apple devices. Disable if you are not using it to sync.
- AVG (Free version tested) - disable avgoutlook.Addin. Set LoadBehavior 0. (From "Thunderbird": you need to disable two keys for avgoutlook.Addin when using 64-bit Windows 7)
- Bitdefender Internet Security
- Symantec Endpoint Protection
- Social Connector with Outlook 2007
- Nuance PDF Outlook Add-in
If you are using one of these older applications, look for a newer version:
- Evernote Clipper
- Business Contact Manager (BCM)
- Send to OneNote from Outlook PowerToy
- Outlock
- Outlook Backup Add-in
- Sierra Wireless Outlook Integration - disable in the registry. It's listed at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\ SwiOutlookInt.Addin
- Timeslips add-in
- Attensa for Outlook. Check for upgrade: newer versions not affected.
- Cisco Meetingplace plug-in
- MindJet Mind Manager 6. Disable the add-in in the registry - the key is Mindjet.Mm6OutlookLinker.AddIn.2
- ScanSoft PDF Converter Outlook Addin
- Norton AntiSpam Outlook Plugin
- Norton Internet Security
- Salesforce
- Upshot Outlook integration
- Xobni - Upgrade to the newest version of Xobni.
- Auto-Mate
- RingCentral Add-in
- DesktopSMS.Addin
- ABBYY PDF Addin
More Information
- Authentication problems: Are you logging on to the mail server correctly?
- No default mail account. If you can reply to messages but not send new message, check the account settings and make sure one is set as default. When you use a configuration script created by your mail provider or import accounts, an account is not always set as default.
Cathey says
Add EMS for Outlook.
Thank you for this article :)
Robert says
Adobe Document Cloud for Microsoft Outlook is a bad actor too.
Jbear1212 says
Thank you for suggesting I check Add Ins. That was the problem. I unchecked all the boxes and was able to send the email w/out an issue. I'll add in those I need and retry to see which is the bad actor. Thank you!
Nuno RR says
Google Drive Outlook Add in also changes sent messages to edit mode.
Adam Raphael says
I am amazed that between them Microsoft and Apple have not fixed the problem of emails being stuck in Outlook with Date None. This has been annoying thousands of users for more than a decade. Why can't these two companies sort it out, or don't they care. I do, it has cost me hundreds of hours of unnecessary work. Adam Raphael
Charlie says
Another addin that causes this problem is the GpgOL GNU Outlook Plugin. Mine is located at program files (x86)\Gpg4win\bin\gpgol.dll
Coco says
Thank you so much. The issue was clearly identified and explained for problem-solving.
Grant says
It appears that the Google Drive Plugin causes problems like this as well.
pierfrancesco says
this fixed my problem immediately
Speedbird186 says
I have found that the Todoist Outlook add-in causes this behavior
Jacinta Gange says
Thank you so much for help with this frustrating problem! Hopefully there is a fix on the way??
F Watkin says
Thank you for your correct diagnosis. It was iCloud in my case.
Francois says
Well, you can add the latest WebEx Productivity Tools to this list. I have delayed send enabled in Outlook and one message will be marked as read when I view the Outbox causing it to not be sent. Disabling this add-in causes messages to work just fine.
Outlook 2013
WebEx Productivity Tools: Version 31.1.0.56
Eleventh says
Thank you. I found this page very helpful and reading this page solved my problem.
However -> I'm not sure if the instructions are incomplete.
I followed the procedure:
All add-ins were unchecked on the manage com add-ins dialog box.
No active application addins were listed on the add-ins log
I confirmed the HKEY entry = 0
I restarted outlook.
Yet I still had the problem.
Clicking around to find the exact version of outlook to add a comment here, I noticed
File->Info->Manage Add-Ins (Slow and Disabled Add-ins)
There were two adds listed as having caused problems in the past (both add-ins specific to my company so I won't list them).
Disabling the add-ins through that dialog solved the problem.
Not sure why disabling worked and inactivating was insufficient, but wanted to note that issue.
Eleventh says
Well, I think I replied too soon, the procedure may have worked. The error I'm having, which may be a 'feature' not a bug, is that when an email in the outbox gets picked up in a search, if it gets viewed in the search (often as the newest email) it then shifts back to a draft, vs. sent email, remaining in the outbox as unsent.
I personally think this is an undesired effect , a bug. You shouldn't be at risk of 'unsending' emails because they happen to appear in a search while they are pending in the outbox.
So my observation was driven by the fact that in some tests I had already clicked on an earlier mail, before searching for the test email (so it wasn't viewed immediately as a search result) -> those go through. But it still fails if it is the top search result and another search result was not already selected.
Diane Poremsky says
Yeah, that is not a desirable effect - i'll report it to the product team but i suspect they will say it's expected due to reading ane settings. If you don't open it and turn off the option to mark mail as read in the preview pane (both after nn seconds or when changing messages) it shouldn't affect it.
Eleventh says
Current version of Evernote, as of 10/8/15 causes the outbox problem that this thread addresses.
Still have the complain about search triggering the same effect.
Line49 says
Diane, do you still maintain the list of offender plugins above?
Latest addition: Evernote Clipper (as of an update they made this week).
I've notified them, so it may be resolved eventually.
Diane Poremsky says
Thanks for reporting it.
Mike says
This remains a maddening problem in the summer of 2015! My solution (a quick and easy work around) is to take anything sitting in the Outbox that won't send (if it's been "read" or is listed in the "Date: None" column) and drag it into the Drafts folder. I then open it in Drafts, click send, and it goes out immediately. (This is much better than when I was creating new emails...!)
wschloss wschloss says
I too still have this most annoying problem, and none of the above fixes ever helped. Office 2010, Win 7 64. Anyone know if it's fixed in Office/Outlook 2013 or 2016, even without add-ins? If not I don't want to pay for it? Thanks.
Diane Poremsky says
it's not fixed - the same addins that cause it in the older versions cause it in outlook 2013 and 2016. If you don't have addins or utilities reading the outbox, the messages shouldn't be affected.
wschloss says
Thanks Diane,BTW, any ideas about this problem (see my comments as wschloss there). https://discuss.howtogeek.com/t/soon-windows-10-will-be-automatically-pushed-through-windows-update/36957 Thanks
Diane Poremsky says
Where did you hear that outlook 2010 & older won't work? That's not true. (I had 2003 installed to test a bug and someone installed 2000. I don't recommend using the really old versions because of bugs and security issues though. )
There will be issues, especially with the really old versions, but 2007 and 2010 should work ok. This one hits a lot of people but should be fixed now - if not, the fix is fairly easy.
https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/outlook-error-ox800ccc13-in-windows-10/
Diane Poremsky says
BTW, macros should work fine whether you use office pro or office standard (or any of the newer office suites - the capability is included in all versions) - you'll need to enable macros in the trust center.
DO NOT use an compatibility settings - it's not needed and can cause crashes and instability. Just pop the DVD in (or copy all of the set up files to a USB if you don't have a DVD - make sure you show all files, including hidden and system files first) and run set up.
Cristina says
I had this problem. Such a strange bug, thanks for explaining how the messages are marked as "read" by some Add-ins. This is great.
Mark says
Brilliant - thank you. I opened the email, chose another folder, then hit send, and waited for progress on all accounts to complete. The email was sent. I will get back and figure out which plugin is causing this pesky little problem - thanks again.
Permalink says
I found the Plug -ins and i disabled . It works . You make me the day!
Marty says
It appears the CRM 2015 Outlook Client update is also causing this behavior.
James says
Thanks to Diane's note about iCloud causing the problem, and Larry's (June 2013 commenting) workaround.
Since I have to use iCloud (for now) as well as Outlook 2010, and I always check the outbox before hitting send, and since making registry changes worries me, that will have to do!
astivelman says
it was the iCloud add-in. Thanks for helping.
Tom says
This totally helped. I have my Outlook configured to keep message in Outbox until I hit "Send-Receive". If I edit it in the Outbox the "Date" gets set to "None". When I am ready to send it for sure, I just have to click "Send" on the message again, which changes the "Date" to "Today". However, starting yesterday hat wouldn't work - the "Date" would still be "None" even if I hit "Send". By following the instruction above to "navigate to another folder before hitting "Send" it resolved the problem.
Eric says
Ran into this with Cisco's Click to Call. I was able to bypass the issue without disabling the add-in by removing the add-in's button from the Outlook ribbon. The other functionality of the add-in still works.
oorsini says
Thanks this fixed my problem of email getting stuck in outbox!
I disabled the Norton AntiSpam Outlook plugin (this was likely problem) and Winzip ZipSend.
Carl says
I set the icloud to zero in the add-ins. no change. I have this intermittent issue where sometimes my outlook 2007 on windows 7 will not send the message in the outbox. Sometimes it is when I am wifi on Comcast and it is not comcastic. Other times it is on my own isp, NWI.net. The current one is a recall the message, message that will not send, nor can I open it in the outbox.
My accounts are an Outlook.com using MAPI, as POP didn't send either and was worse. My other two are POP/SMTP accounts. My outlook connector is connected. This recall is on the outlook.com account message.
I don't use any antivirus other than Windows Essentials. Is this just MIcrosofts way of getting me to buy Outlook 2013?
Susie says
Thank you sooo Much!! Icloud was the culprit.
Luismi says
Many Thanks! It happens to me with Add-In "SugarCRM", just for you to add to your list. Once I disabled it, it worked again. But I need it, so I have to enable it again, and just avoid looking in the Outbox...
Shabana Ahmed says
In our case the issue is happening with our custom Outlook Add In, How do we fix the Add In code to not mark the mails as read?
Diane Poremsky says
I'll have to check on this for you.
Diane Poremsky says
I checked with the outlook dev experts and one recommended turning it off when switching to the outbox (then turning it back on). I'm not sure its the best option... and if you use redemption, maybe you can resubmit the message when switching out of the folder.
Public Sub TurnOff ()
On Error Resume Next
Dim Addins As COMAddIns
Dim Addin As COMAddIn
Set Addins = Application.COMAddIns
Set Addin = Addins.Item("AddinName.Connect")
Addin.Connect = False
End Sub
For "AddinName.Connect" see the correct class identifier in the registry.
Diane Poremsky says
This from another dev expert -
arie_kel says
Excellent help. Turned out to be the iCloud add-in I installed recently (part of Apple update)
Nizam says
I am using Out Look Express 07 for e-mails. I have settled an accout and it was correctly, but now a days when I am trying to send any files it is not moving from the out box while the reciever it is recieving. Can anybody help me on this issue?
Diane Poremsky says
When mail isn't moved to the sent folder its usually the antivirus filter. What do you use for antivirus?
Wallie says
Well I uninstalled the i-cloud and am thankful in telling you it solved my issue. Tanks again
Larry says
Hurray! This has been bugging me for over a year now. Turns out iCloud was the problem. Re-opening the messaging, changing the viewed folder, then re-sending the message is the workaround that works for me.
priestlylotusMichael says
Thank you - icloud was the culprit.
TOM MARCH says
Finally fixed! It was the Add-in btmoffice.Connect. I set the behavior value to 0 in the registry and Office emails send again. Thanks.
kenysevenken says
Tnx!!!! this really did the trick, you nailed it!
409industries says
Excellent post. I had been banging my head against the wall wondering why one of our execs could not send email via their Exchange account in Outlook 2010. Only on this one particular computer (a home PC) turns out that the iCloud add-in was the culprit. Once disabled, email was sending again!
lisaskil says
You are a life saver... This bug was absolutely driving me nuts and it seemed to be fairly recently introduced. I am glad I am not going crazy and this really was an issue!
C Malmgren says
Thank you for the help. I-cloud add-in was the source of my problem. The fix for me was to remove the i-cloud feature from the "control panel> programs and features" since I wasn't using it anyway.
Jonathan says
I am trying to disable an add in in outlook ( teamviewer meeting add in) which I suspect might be a problem , but I get a message saying that only an administrator can disable the add in. I am the administrator and only user on my laptop. How do I solve this?
Diane Poremsky says
Close Outlook, right click on the outlook shortcut you use to start it and choose Run as admin. If you don't see run as admin, hold shift as you right click. should be able to disable it now.
wschloss says
Sorry, PS, the workarounds above DO work and if that's what I have to do for a while, then so be it. But it is pretty annoying, and I hope for a "permanent fix." Thanks for your help!
Diane Poremsky says
Do you know which addin is causing the messages to be marked as read?
Oh, never mind - it's either AVG or icloud.
wschloss says
Hi, this info looks very helpful but a bit of clarification if you don't mind. When I look at the Outbox I don't open the individual messages, and my preview window is not turned on (in fact it can't be turned on for Outbox, unlike other folders the option is not available), and the messages are still clearly marked as unread. If I do or do not then go to a different folder, and hit send, the messages won't go. In all other instances it works perfectly. (Outlook 2010, Win 7, lots resources). I am not on Exchange but do have iCloud and AVG, and don't wish to disable either.
dsmarine says
Great information, thanks for sharing.
miquel says
Thanks! In my case it was Outlook 2010 with iCloud add-in
Alan Mayo says
Thanks, so much, installed Icloud the other day and later realised that I was getting erratic behaviour when sendig email from my outllook account. Any email that I saved before sending, and any replies I was sendijng remained in the outbox with the draft icon. Disabling the icloud outllok add in has dealt with that. But do I need that add in in order for Outlook to synch my calendar with icloud?
Diane Poremsky says
Yes, you need it if you want to sync with outlook. Usually... there isn't a problem with the icloud as long as you don't look in the outbox. I'll test it and see if i can repro this issue. Which version of Outlook do you use?
Eric says
Hi, I solved the same problem this way (I had 100 email waiting to be send while working on a plane...) : I select one, then I click FORWARD (the recipient name populate automatic), then click SEND. I delete the file that stays in my Outbox.
EASY
Eric
Surachai says
Do you have any solution to fix this problem without disable iCloud add-in?
Our user need to use iCloud add-in to sync with his apple devices?
Diane Poremsky says
Do the messages send if you don't view the Outbox? If so... you can keep the icloud as long as you stop looking in the outbox. :)
If the problem is that mail just won't send and you are not looking in the outbox, one person said they reinstalled icloud and it worked correctly (messages did not get stuck).
SDK says
Thank for writing this article! I disabled the 'iCloud' add-in and the delay delivery feature now works. Many thanks!
Stupid Apple!
MichaelDuturbure says
I have disabled all the addins....and still I am having this problem. I am only having it on one profile of my outlook (my main one) and it started a few days back.
Diane Poremsky says
What type of email account do you use?
Do they send in Safe mode?
Do they send if you don't look in the outbox?
To open Outlook in Safe mode: Close Outlook then hold Ctrl as you click on the Outlook icon. You'll get a message asking if you want to start in Safe mode. Click Ok.
Sander says
thank you !!!
i Had this problem and i do want emails to go through my outbox before being sent every 20 minutes. it seems that the icloud addin was causing the problem because problem over after disabling the addin.
was very annoying so thanks for the tips.
Graeme says
Thanks - your work around worked. You're a legend!
Andrea says
Thanks for the information! I "unchecked" the iCloud add-in that downloaded when iTunes updated on my computer and it worked like a charm! I NEVER would have figured that out without this information. THANKS!!!
Thomas says
Changed the Load Behaviour value for my Anti Virius program and now emails don't open in Outbox when it's opened. Thank you for this great fix. Program to add to the list you already have is Bitdefender Internet Security 2013
fpdave says
removing iCloud fixed it for me (had to start outlook as admin tho!)
Lynda says
Thanks a million Diane - you're a gem! Problem solved - I disabled the icloud and one note add-ins, plus in the process got rid of the social networking thingy that was driving me nuts! Keep up the good work!
brishel001 says
Excellent information, in my case the problem was the "Apple.DAV.Addin" addin. I changed the load behavior from 3 to 0, restarted outlook and this resolved the issue. Thank you!
J Lewis says
adobe contribute's add-in caused it in my OL 2003.
heathclifff says
I've had this problem for weeks, and it was driving me nuts. I finally decided to figure it out. You gave me the answer. I disabled iCloud add-in, and my mail is now sending. What is iCloud add-in for?
Diane Poremsky says
The iCloud addin is installed by iTunes and used to sync Outlook's calendar and contacts with an iPhone or ipad using Apple "icloud" network. If you don't sync with an Apple device, you don't need it enabled.
Luis says
My problem: some messages would be marked read, in Outlook 2007, and would not send. I uninstalled iCloud and problem solved!
John Passarella says
I just had the same problem. Date: None in outbox if I viewed the folder with a message in there that hadn't been sent yet. Tried trial and error. Was hoping it was Norton Anti Spam since that takes forever to load anyway, but it turned out to be iCloud add-in. Tried iTunes first. Same issue. Disabled iCloud and it works again.
steve fryatt says
I just had this problem and was nervous about editing the registry so uninstalled software starting with iTunes but still had the problem. I finally solved it by removing Apple's iCloud executable that runs continuously in background (installed via iCloudSetup.exe) I use Outlook2003.
Diane Poremsky says
Thanks for sharing which program caused it - icloud doesn't work with Outlook 2003 so its pointless to have it installed. If you don't sync an iDevice with Outlook, you don't need itunes addin either.
mark says
Problem solved
disable the iCloud add in on O2010
Diane Poremsky says
This is with icloud1 or icloud2 (just released)?
Lorrie says
Thank you! I disabled a couple of MS Exchange ad-ins out of Outlook 2007 (I don't need to use Exchange) and also the iTunes and iCloud add-ins -- and it worked! It is sending.
Not sure about adding the Apple ones back in yet. Just glad I got it to send again out of my Outbox and not keep the message in there, looking like a 'read' email. No errors, nothing. Not a problem with the server, test messages were sending fine.
So frustrating.Disabling these add-ins worked for me, thanks again!
Gary says
Thanks. You can add to the list of culprits the Evernote COM addin. I disabled it and the problem was resolved on Outlook 2003.
Matt says
I had the same issue and found out that the add-in called NetPhone Addin caused my issue. This Add-in was found in my SysWOW64 directory and I think it related to Toshiba Call Manager.
Linda says
The information given above is too technical for me. When I follow the instructions to go to Tools, none of what it says I will find, can I find. The websites do not help because I do not understand. I STILL can not get my email to "send" and therefore get it out of outlook. Also, a network password box keeps poping up--I do not know why, or how to get rid of it. It interferes with everything !!!!
Diane Poremsky says
What version of Outlook do you use? This can affect the menus you see.
Re: the password dialog - Who is your email account with? Do you read your email on a smart phone too? We know of issues with BT/Yahoo and AT&T/Yahoo accounts - see Never-ending password dialog.
Shamsul says
I can't send my email, goes to outbox, massage comes smtp or password not correct, could you help me please. Thankyou
B Bradby says
Thanks a million. I found an add-on that had been inserted into my Outlook 2007 when I had downloaded a free trial version of a pdf-word converter programme a few weeks ago. Removing that seems to have solved the problem.