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, checkHKEY_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.
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!
Google Drive Outlook Add in also changes sent messages to edit mode.
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
Another addin that causes this problem is the GpgOL GNU Outlook Plugin. Mine is located at program files (x86)\Gpg4win\bin\gpgol.dll
Thank you so much. The issue was clearly identified and explained for problem-solving.
It appears that the Google Drive Plugin causes problems like this as well.
this fixed my problem immediately
I have found that the Todoist Outlook add-in causes this behavior