Why Outlook Spam Filter Not Working and How to Fix It: Complete Guide
If your MS Outlook inbox is completely filled with spam or junk emails, there are many reasons, but the only reason is that your Outlook spam filter is not working, or junk emails are getting into your inbox while the filter is disabled. So, in this article, we’ll discover why is my Outlook not filtering spam mail and how we can fix it using both manual and advanced solutions, so that you can control your inbox as per your wishes.
Why is My Outlook Spam Filter Not Working?
Microsoft Outlook junk filter detects emails automatically and transfers them to the spam or junk folder, but it is not working; it creates chaos among other emails lying in the inbox. Here are the various reasons given below:
- If your junk filter is not enabled or maybe set to low protection.
- Outlook that you are using may be an outdated version
- Your profile or PST file got corrupted.
- If you are using some third-party antivirus software or some add-ins that restrict the spam emails.
- When rules are not correctly configured, then also it affects the filtering process.
- Also, when spam emails are not blocked or reportedly.
It doesn’t depend on whether you’re using Outlook desktop or the web app; these errors will somehow affect your spam filtering. So now let’s see what result comes up if your Outlook Spam filter not working:
- Spam or any social or promotional emails will appear in your inbox.
- No single email is getting transferred to junk email folder.
- If there is any important or reliable trusted sender that is also flagged as spam.
- Block sender option or not junk seems not to be working.
Suggestions: if you’re looking for another email client, errors like Why Is Yahoo Spam Filter Not Working, are also available.
How to Fix Outlook Not Filtering Spam
If your Microsoft Outlook spam filter not working, here are quick ways to fix it.
- Check Junk Folder Settings
- Disable Rules and Add-Ins
- Update the New Outlook Version
- Repair Your Outlook Profile
- Block Individual Senders
let’s quickly explore their work:
#1) Check Junk Email Settings
By default, no automatic filtering option is enabled. Make it to the highest protection level.
By follow:
- Open Outlook, go to Home tab, then Junk, and finally nav to Junk email options.
- Choose which protection level you want, like low, high, or safe list.
- Apply and click OK.
It changes to be more precise in filtering out emails.
#2) Disable Rules and Add-ins
Sometimes, third-party add-ins or any antivirus software rules interfere with junk.
By follow:
- Go to file, then to manage rules & alerts.
- Delete those rules that are causing chaos by sending spam or junk emails into the inbox.
- Turn off all add-ins by navigating to File, clicking on Options, and finally, on Add-ins.
Start your outlook again after changing it.
#3) Update the Version
MS Outlook regularly updates spam filters, so ensure you are using its new version.
By follow:
- Go to File, navigate to Office Account, press Update Options, and finally click on Update Now button.
This works only when you are using Outlook desktop app; in web app, updates are automatic.
#4) Repair Your Outlook Profile
If your file or complete profile is corrupted, then it might be preventing filtering out spam from working.
By follow:
- Navigate to Control Panel (cp), tap on Mail, and then tap on Show Profiles.
- Make a new Outlook account and set it as default.
- Configure your mail account for newly created.
Also, test spam filter in your new profile.
#5) Report & Block Individual Senders
These filters are based on your blocked and your provided trusted information.
By follow:
- Go to Junk Email Options, then to blocked senders.
- Add some spam email ID.
- If you added all emails you have to block, you can click Apply and save by pressing OK.
Note: If your Outlook spam filter not working, your Outlook inbox gets full of spammy or phishing emails, as when spam emails come, it’s of same type, like promotional, and this causes duplicate emails in your Outlook, which have to be removed, so we recommend using SysTools Outlook Duplicate Remover which allows to find and delete doubles.
Why We Choose this Automated Tool?
While fixing Outlook not filtering spam, your inbox already got those repeated emails, filled with junk and spam. So, we suggest using this as it has a cleanup feature that can eliminate spam emails, contacts, calendar, and much more by using many filters like cc, bcc, attachments, subject, body, name, etc. Check its more features.
- It maintains the original data structure intact and its integrity with proper formatting and attachments.
- Easy & compatible to use with other Outlook versions, whether web, desktop, or any older version.
- Saves time and effort by bulk removal of spam and junk emails.
Understand more by looking at its steps.
Read: How to Remove Duplicate Emails from Outlook?
Steps to Use the Aforementioned Software
- Download and run this professional tool on your OS.
- Click on Add file or Folders to upload files to your automated software.
- Choose the Location to save the output or cleansed file.
- Apply Filters like date, subject, and body if you want to use Specific Duplicate Criteria.
- Tap on OK to a new file without any duplicates.
Advanced & Proven Tips to Keep Outlook Junk Filter Working
- Regularly mark junk or phishing emails as spam.
- Prevent sending or sharing your personal or professional email address publicly.
- Always clean up older or doubles emails to avoid filter errors in your Microsoft Outlook.
- Don’t open any junk or spammy emails, as it’s also one of the causes of Outlook spam filter not working.
- Unsubscribe from all phishing and spam sites, which helps avoid cluttering mailbox.
Conclusion
The query “Outlook spam filter not working” or “Outlook Not Filtering Spam” is fixed in this article in many effective ways. Whether it’s adjusting settings, rules, updating, etc., if you’re still having trouble, you may consult IT Support or use our suggested tool above, which can help filter duplicates from spam emails. Always remember, before changing anything in your Outlook, you should make a complete backup so that the risk of accidental data loss is removed.