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 from Outlook PowerToy add-in, 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:
If using Outlook 2003: Look in Tools, Options, Other, Advanced, Com add-ins. Disable the add-ins and re-enable them one at a time and test.
Outlook 2007: Look in Tools, Trust Center, Add-ins.
Outlook 2010: File tab, Options, Add-ins.
Outlook 2013: File tab, Options, 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 7 or Vista 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
If you are using one of these older applications, look for a newer version:
- iTunes Outlook Addin
- Evernote Clipper
- ICQExpress (COMAddin), installed as part of ICQ
- 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
- ONFOLIO
- 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
- Google desktop "search your own computer", specifically because it searches the mail
- ScanSoft PDF Converter Outlook Addin
- Norton AntiSpam Outlook Plugin
- Norton Internet Security
- AIM Sync
- LinkedIn Outlook Toolbar
- Salesforce
- Upshot Outlook integration
- MS CRM 3.0 Outlook Add-in
- Xobni - Upgrade to the newest version of Xobni.
- Auto-Mate
- RingCentral Add-in
- DesktopSMS.Addin
- ABBYY PDF Addin
More Information
If your mail won't send and it's not the problem described above, other possible causes are:
- 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.
See Email Won't Send - Common Causes for more information.
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82 Comments on "After viewing the Outbox, messages won't send"
this fixed my problem immediately
I have found that the Todoist Outlook add-in causes this behavior
Thank you so much for help with this frustrating problem! Hopefully there is a fix on the way??
Thank you for your correct diagnosis. It was iCloud in my case.
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
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.
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.
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.
Thanks for reporting it.
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...!)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.