Windows 10 Mail Not Syncing? How to Fix It

If the Windows 10 Mail app has stopped receiving or sending email, first check your internet connection and the account’s sync settings, then refresh the app. If that does not help, repair or reset Mail, remove and add the account again, and check for service or password problems; the right fix depends on whether one account or all accounts are affected.

Check the connection and narrow down the problem

Start by opening a website in a browser. If it will not load, fix the network connection before troubleshooting Mail. If the web works, sign in to the same email account through its provider’s website. This helps distinguish an app problem from an account-wide outage, full mailbox, expired password, or provider restriction.

Only one account fails: Check that account’s password, sync settings, and provider status.
Every account fails: Check Windows connectivity, updates, date and time, and the Mail app itself.
Mail receives but cannot send: Check the Outbox and whether the provider requires you to sign in again.
Mail appears only after opening the app: Check the account’s download frequency and background permissions.

Also check whether the message is simply delayed. Some sync schedules do not fetch mail continuously, and a busy connection can postpone downloads.

Refresh Mail and review sync settings

Open Mail and select the sync icon near the top of the message list. Then review the account settings: select the gear icon, choose Manage accounts, select the affected account, and choose Change mailbox sync settings. Menu wording can vary slightly with app updates.

Confirm that Email is enabled under sync options. Under the download settings, choose a suitable period, such as when items arrive if that option is available, or a less frequent schedule if conserving data matters. Select Done to save changes. For a new or unusually quiet account, check whether the selected period excludes older messages.

In the same settings, look for an option to change the account password. If the provider recently changed its sign-in requirements, Mail may need fresh authentication. Do not repeatedly enter a password that you are unsure of; verify it through the provider’s official sign-in page first.

Check account status, storage, and provider settings

If Mail reports that account settings are out of date or asks for attention, sign in through the provider’s website and complete any legitimate sign-in prompt. A changed password, security check, or revoked app permission can stop syncing even when the Windows connection is healthy. Some providers also require a modern sign-in method or specific account settings; follow the provider’s current instructions rather than copying server settings from an unrelated guide.

Check that the mailbox is not full and that messages are not being diverted to Junk, Archive, or another folder. If the provider’s website also cannot send or receive, the issue is unlikely to be fixed by reinstalling the Windows app. Wait for a reported service interruption to clear or contact the provider.

Windows’ date and time should be correct, since a badly wrong clock can interfere with secure connections. Open Settings > Time & Language > Date & time and enable automatic time settings if appropriate. Avoid disabling security protections to make syncing work.

Update Windows and repair the Mail app

Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, check for updates, and install applicable updates. Restart if prompted.
Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Mail and Calendar, select it, then choose Advanced options.
Select Repair first, if available. This attempts to fix the app without removing its data. Reopen Mail and test syncing.
If repair fails, return to the same screen and select Reset, if available. Reset can remove app data and settings, so make sure you know the account’s sign-in details before using it.

Windows 10 menu labels and available options can differ by edition and installed updates. If Mail is missing from Apps & features or has no repair controls, check the Microsoft Store for app updates or reinstall options. Reinstalling an email app does not delete messages stored on the provider’s server, but locally saved drafts or other unsynced data may be lost.

Remove and add the account again

Use this step if the account still will not sync after checking its settings and repairing the app. In Mail, open Settings > Manage accounts, select the affected account, and choose Delete account from this device. This removes the account from Mail on that PC; it is not the same as closing the email account with its provider.

Before removing it, confirm that important messages and drafts are available on the provider’s website. Then choose Add account in Mail and follow the sign-in prompts. Select the correct account type when asked, and complete any provider verification. Test both receiving and sending afterward. If setup fails again, check the provider’s instructions for supported sign-in methods and whether manual server details are required.

Sending failures and other common symptoms

If a message is stuck in the Outbox, open it and check for a missing recipient, attachment, or connection. Large attachments may exceed the provider’s sending limit; use the provider’s recommended file-sharing method instead. Do not delete a message until you know whether it was already sent, because a delayed confirmation can make the delivery status unclear.

When new mail is missing, check other folders and the provider’s website before assuming it was deleted. If the website shows the message but Mail does not, refresh and review sync scope or folder settings. If neither shows it, the sender may not have sent it successfully or the provider may have filtered it.

Windows 10 Mail is a mail client, not the email service itself. Removing or resetting the app generally affects its local configuration; it does not repair a provider outage or restore mail that was deleted from the server. If basic checks fail across multiple accounts, use Windows’ built-in troubleshooting options where available and consider whether a different supported mail client better fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Windows 10 Mail not receiving new emails?
Check the connection, account sync options, download period, mailbox folders, and provider status. If the provider’s website has the messages but Mail does not, refresh the app and verify that email syncing is enabled.

How do I manually sync Mail in Windows 10?
Open Mail, select the account or inbox, and use the sync icon near the top of the message list. You can also review the account’s mailbox sync settings under Settings > Manage accounts.

Will resetting Mail delete my emails?
A reset can remove local app data and settings. Messages stored on the email provider’s server are generally still available online, but check the provider’s website first and protect any unsynced drafts.

Why does Mail keep asking for my password?
The password may have changed, the provider may require renewed sign-in, or the saved authentication may no longer be accepted. Verify access on the provider’s website, then update or re-add the account in Mail.

Why can I receive email but not send it?
Check the Outbox, internet connection, recipient address, attachment size, and account sign-in status. If sending also fails on the provider’s website, contact the provider or check its service status.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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