We've all done it once or twice -- we have a message stuck in the Outbox because it's too large for Outlook to send. Deleting it doesn't work - Outlook returns an error because the message is already being transmitted.
Common problems that cause email to stay in the Outbox
Delete Messages Stuck in Outlook 2011 Outbox
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Use Desktop Search
If you use Windows 7, you can use the Start menu's Search field to find and delete messages stuck in the Outbox. You need to close Outlook to delete the message.
In preliminary tests, it appears that this method might delete messages from a large pst file that errors when you try to delete the items from within Outlook.
To use this method, close Outlook then type outbox or store:mapi outbox in the Start search field. Wait for search to finish then find the message and delete. Messages deleted using this method bypass the Deleted Items folder and are permanently deleted.
Note: the search method does not work on Windows 8/10.
Work Offline
You can delete the stuck message if you set Outlook offline using the File, Offline menu. Wait about five minutes or more for the mail spooler process to shut down or close Outlook and reopen. Go to the Outbox and delete the message then put Outlook back online using the File, Offline menu.
In Outlook 2010, Work Offline is on the Send & Receive ribbon. The screenshot shows the default setting of On. When Outlook is Offline, the button is highlighted in orange.
If your version of Outlook doesn't include a Work Offline command, disconnect from the Internet or disable the network card in the Control Panel, Network. Wait a few minutes, longer if the stuck message is really large, then delete it.
This is one time when patience is a definite virtue - make sure you give Outlook plenty of time to stop processing the message before trying to delete it. A very large message may require longer than 5 minutes to stop processing.
I attempted these methods, have windows 10 and the Email is still stuck. Went off line, also shut down the internet, checked the dialog box says no activity on outlook, still will not delete.
Your instructions were the only ones I found that worked. Thank you so much. I now have the tool(s) to fix this problem if it happens again.
Worked perfectly. thanks so much. Glad you advised us to be patient.
I just used it for a 106 meg file and it worked. Thanks! KD
I wrote an email with 50 recipients which got stuck in my outbox. Before reading some of the fixes suggested (ie work offline, then delete the item in the outbox) I deleted the item without going offline. The offending email disappeared but any further attempts to send other emails does not work. They sit in the outbox. How do I clear this? I have Windows 10 and Outlook 2007
The only reason to go offline is because if outlook has it in the spooler, preparing to send, you can't delete it.
Do you get any send and receive error messages?
What do you use for antivirus/security software? If it scans outgoing mail, the problem could be there. (Microsoft's Defender does not scan mail.)
hi it works for me thanks alot i have delete more than 300 mb file
thanks once again
Perfect - thanks so much for the solution! I was looking at 2010 Micro instructions but I have 2007 so your instructions were perfect and clear-thanks so much for helping me on something that could have taken hours-days! I'm going to look for you for online training classes-or tell me where the Outlook forums are?
I'm glad that I was able to help you. My forums are at forums.slipstick.com
Hi there,
Messages with photos, not more than 20 MBs, not only stuck in the Outgoing File, but Outlook sends them repeatedly !!! Recipients, call me and say that my message was received several times and they do not have any more free space !!!
What to do ??
Thanks,
Kostas
What types of email account do you have configured in outlook? What antivirus/security software do you use? It sounds like something is causing outlook to think the send failed.
Yup, this is exactly what is happening to a client we have on VSAT connection. I wonder if the reason is not latency. I cannot find any information regarding this during research. Help?
I'm sure there are other reasons, but one reason is definitely an antivirus scanner scanning outgoing email. You can test it using Safe mode - this will bypass an antivirus addin but may not bypass if the scanner is listening on ports.
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.