How do I delete an email that is stuck in my Microsoft Outlook Outbox

Description

Periodically EPI hears from one client or another who has an email item stuck in their Microsoft Outlook Outbox. For all appearances, Outlook seems to be trying to send the email but the email never seems to get sent. When you try to delete the stuck email nothing happens.

Under some circumstances multiple emails seem to be stuck behind this one jammed up email.

Note: This article is filed under Microsoft Exchange but also applies to clients with POP3 accounts.

Recommended Solution

There are a variety of things that you might try. These include:

1. Try moving the message from your Outbox to your Draft items folder. From there you can delete the message or, if you are feeling adventurous, you can try sending it again.
   
   
2. Tell Outlook to work "Offline". For older versions of Outlook, look for the "Work Offline" item under the File Menu. For Office 2010, look for the "Work Offline" icon on the "Send/Receive" tab.
   Next, quit Outlook and then restart the program. YOU SHOULD STILL BE WORKING OFFLINE.
   You should now be able to either move the stuck item to your drafts folder or delete it.

For further information and other solutions, please refer to the following Microsoft Knowledgebase article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/262052.

Article ID: 19, Created On: 2/18/2011, Modified: 2/18/2011