If you’re experiencing issues with your Windows Mail app, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Many users have reported problems with email not working properly in Windows 10 and 11. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through eight proven solutions to fix email not working in Windows Mail.
1. Make Sure You’re Connected to the Internet
The first and most obvious step is to ensure your device is connected to the internet. Without a stable internet connection, the Windows Mail app won’t be able to send or receive emails. Check your network connection and make sure you have a strong, reliable internet signal.
2. Check for Updates
Outdated software can often be the culprit behind email issues in Windows Mail. Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed by checking for updates. Here’s how:
How to Check for Windows Mail Updates
Open the Start menu and search for “Microsoft Store”.
Click on the Microsoft Store app to open it.
In the Microsoft Store, click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select “Downloads and updates”.
Click on “Get updates” to check for any available updates for the Windows Mail app.
If an update is available, install it and then try using the Mail app again.
3. Restart and Install the Update
If you’ve found an update for the Windows Mail app, the next step is to restart your device and install the update. Restarting your computer can help clear any temporary issues that may be causing the email problem.
After the restart, open the Microsoft Store again and install the available update for the Mail app. Once the update is installed, try using the Mail app to see if the issue has been resolved.
4. Check These Windows Settings
Certain Windows settings can also affect the functionality of the Mail app. Here are a few settings you should check:
Privacy Settings
Open the Start menu and search for “Settings”.
Click on the “Privacy & security” option.
In the left-hand menu, select “Calendar”.
Make sure the “Let apps access your calendar” setting is turned on.
Scroll down and ensure the “Mail and Calendar” app has access to your calendar.
Firewall and Network Protection Settings
Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Defender Firewall”.
Click on “Firewall & network protection”.
Click on “Restore firewalls to default”.
Restart your computer and try the Mail app again.
5. Check Mail Settings
If the above steps haven’t resolved the issue, it’s time to take a closer look at your mail account settings. Here’s what you should check:
Verify Account Settings
Open the Windows Mail app and go to the “Accounts” section.
Select the email account experiencing issues and click on “Change mailbox sync settings”.
Ensure the incoming and outgoing server addresses and ports are correct.
Make sure the “Require SSL for incoming email” and “Require SSL for outgoing email” options are checked.
Create an App Password
If you’re using a Gmail account, you may need to create an app-specific password to use with the Windows Mail app. Here’s how:
Go to the Google Account security settings.
Click on “App passwords” and generate a new password.
Enter this password in the Windows Mail app when prompted.
6. Refresh Windows Sync Settings
Syncing issues can also cause problems with the Windows Mail app. Try refreshing the sync settings to see if that resolves the problem.
Open the Start menu and search for “Sync settings”.
Click on the “Sync your settings” option.
Toggle the “Sync settings” option to the “Off” position.
Wait a few seconds, then toggle it back to “On”.
Restart your computer and try the Mail app again.
7. Repair Missing or Corrupted Files with SFC
Corrupted system files can sometimes cause issues with the Windows Mail app. You can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan for and repair any missing or corrupted files.
Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt”.
Right-click on the Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
In the Command Prompt, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to complete, and then try using the Mail app again.
8. Repair the Windows Image (DISM)
If the SFC tool doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to repair the Windows image.
Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt”.
Right-click on the Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
In the Command Prompt, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter.
Wait for the process to complete, and then try using the Mail app again.