Unblock a Sender in Outlook: Get Their Emails Again

If you’ve accidentally blocked someone in Outlook and now their emails are going straight to the Junk Email folder (or not appearing at all), this guide will show you exactly how to unblock them. You’ll learn the steps for both the desktop app and the web version, so you can restore their messages to your inbox in under a minute. No special tools or admin access are needed—just your Outlook account.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your Outlook account (desktop app, web, or mobile app—steps vary slightly).
• The email address or name of the sender you want to unblock.
• If you’re using a work or school account, you may need permission to change blocked sender settings (some IT policies restrict this).

Step-by-Step

In Outlook Desktop (Windows or Mac)

1. Open Outlook and go to the Home tab.
2. In the Delete group, click Junk (or the trash can icon with a red circle).
3. Select Junk E-mail Options from the dropdown menu.
4. In the dialog box, click the Blocked Senders tab.
5. You’ll see a list of email addresses and domains you’ve blocked. Find the sender you want to unblock.
6. Click on the sender’s name to highlight it, then click Remove.
7. Click OK to save your changes.
8. Check your Junk Email folder—any future emails from that sender should now arrive in your inbox.

In Outlook on the Web (Outlook.com or Office 365)

1. Sign in to your Outlook web account (outlook.com or your work’s webmail).
2. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner.
3. Scroll down and click View all Outlook settings at the bottom of the settings pane.
4. In the settings window, go to Mail > Junk email.
5. Under Blocked senders and domains, you’ll see a list. Find the sender’s email address or domain.
6. Click the trash can icon next to the entry to remove it.
7. Close the settings window. The sender is now unblocked.

In the Outlook Mobile App (iOS/Android)

1. Open the Outlook app and tap your profile picture (top-left corner).
2. Tap the gear icon (Settings).
3. Scroll down and tap Blocked senders (under Mail).
4. You’ll see a list of blocked addresses. Tap the X next to the sender you want to unblock.
5. Confirm the removal if prompted.

Common Mistakes

• Blocking the domain instead of the address: If you blocked the entire domain (e.g., @example.com), you must remove that domain entry, not just the individual address.
• Confusing ‘Blocked Senders’ with ‘Safe Senders’: Unblocking is about removing from the blocked list, not adding to safe senders. Adding to safe senders is a separate step if you want to ensure delivery.
• Only checking the Junk Email folder: After unblocking, new emails should arrive in your inbox, but if the sender was previously flagged as junk, you may need to mark a message as ‘Not Junk’ to train the filter.
• Forgetting to save changes: In the desktop app, if you close the Junk E-mail Options dialog without clicking OK, your changes are lost.

Tips

• After unblocking, send a test email to yourself from the sender’s account (if you have access) to confirm delivery.
• If you want to be extra sure emails aren’t filtered, add the sender to your Safe Senders list. In the desktop app, go to Junk > Junk E-mail Options > Safe Senders tab, and add their address.
• If you blocked a domain, consider unblocking just the specific address if you only want that one person’s emails.
• Check your Rules (in Outlook settings) to ensure no rule is deleting or moving emails from that sender to a folder other than your inbox.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve followed the steps but still aren’t receiving emails, try these:

• Check Junk Email folder: Even after unblocking, some emails may still be filtered. Right-click the email and select Junk > Not Junk to mark it as safe.
• Wait a few minutes: Changes to blocked sender lists may take a few minutes to propagate, especially in the web version.
• Check if the sender is blocked at the server level: If you’re using a work or school account, your IT admin may have blocked the domain. You’ll need to contact them.
• Verify the sender’s address: The sender might be using a different address than the one you unblocked. Ask them to confirm the exact address they’re sending from.
• Check your email forwarding rules: If you have a rule that forwards or deletes emails from that sender, it could override the unblock. Go to Settings > Mail > Rules and review.
• Clear your browser cache (web): Sometimes the web interface shows stale data. Log out and log back in, or try a different browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unblocking a sender restore emails they sent while blocked?

No. Emails sent while the sender was blocked were either deleted or moved to Junk Email. Unblocking only affects future emails. You may find some in the Junk folder, but they are not automatically moved to your inbox.

What’s the difference between blocking a sender and marking as junk?

Blocking sends emails directly to the Junk folder and prevents them from ever reaching your inbox. Marking as junk is a one-time action that trains the filter for future emails, but the sender isn’t permanently blocked.

Can I unblock a sender without going into settings?

Yes, in the desktop app you can right-click an email from that sender (if you have one in Junk) and select Junk > Never Block Sender. This also adds them to your Safe Senders list.

Why don’t I see the ‘Blocked Senders’ tab in my Outlook?

This tab is only available in the classic desktop app. In the new Outlook for Windows or the web version, the setting is under Settings > Mail > Junk email. If you’re using a work account, your admin may have hidden it.

Does unblocking a domain unblock all addresses from that domain?

Yes, if you remove a domain from the blocked list, all addresses from that domain will be able to send you emails again.

What if I accidentally blocked a sender on my phone but want to unblock on my computer?

Blocked sender lists sync across all devices using the same Outlook account. So unblocking on your computer will also unblock on your phone.

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