Delay in Receiving Emails in Outlook – Fix Outlook Slow to Load Emails
It is a very common issue that users face a delay in receiving emails in Outlook accounts. In most email clients and Internet service providers, it will take time to load email messages. The important thing that you need to know is that, Outlook so slow to receive emails 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2000 versions is not the problem of the Microsoft Outlook program.
Most probably, the issue is related to the server that delivers and retrieves the messages in your system. The other causes for Outlook preparing to send or receive for a long time can be due to the antivirus program installed, the incoming server settings, or the spam filter on your computer or server.
That is, Outlook is slow to receive emails in Outlook account is not an Outlook issue. This blog is going to explain the best methods with proper and accurate reasons, which will help to resolve the “Microsoft Outlook slow to receive email” issue.
“I have been using Microsoft Outlook 2013 for a long time. I am having a huge PST file, and my inbox has various folders for reliable classification of data. Now, when sending or receiving email messages, it takes a huge time to download the message properly. Outlook is so slow to receive emails in the inbox. This is frustrating and difficult. First, I need to know why the Outlook profile gets stuck in ‘preparing to send or receive for a long time’. And also, an efficient solution to fix ‘slow to receive emails in Outlook 2013’.”
Why is Outlook So Slow to Receive Emails?
Now let us consider the technical part of this issue. Whenever an email message is received into your Inbox, there are some steps to have happen at the back-end for you to open the message and read it. That is, when an email arrives, it will take the default action of writing the receiving email message in the Personal Storage Table database file (.pst).
This is the first process to take place when your profile gets an email. Here, it can create a delay in receiving emails in Outlook account inbox. If your PST data file is full, fragmented, or damaged, the process of downloading email into a PST file may take time.
So, it is your Microsoft Outlook trying to download and write the received email into the faulty PST data file. This might be the reason why you’re facing the Outlook slow to receive email issue. So, this can be a PST file issue. By fixing PST data file issues, you can resolve this problem to a great extent.
How to Fix ‘Delay in Receiving Emails in Outlook’ Manually?
There are many other cases where you may face a delay in receiving emails in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2000. So, go through the following cases and their solutions to fix ‘slow to receive emails on Outlook account’. See how to manage Outlook email effectively without any errors and issues.
1. Check Hard Drive for Bad Sectors
There are chances for the hard drive to develop bad sectors, and as a result, the PST file stored in those locations got damaged. This may also generate issues when your Microsoft Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 tries to download an incoming email message and ends up waiting for a long time. To fix bad sectors on a hard drive, run the CHKDSK command (/r) and find out issues and fix hard drive errors.
2. Fragment your Hard Drive
If you are using the same Hard drive for a long period and have not yet managed it properly, there are chances for the PST file to get fragmented. That is its result in saving incoming as well as your other information from your Outlook account in distributed memory locations instead of in a one contiguous memory block. As a result, MS Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 needs time to write receiving an email message on the PST file. To resolve this issue, you can be fragmenting your hard drive can be a good idea.
3. Compact File to Fix Delay in Receiving Emails in Outlook Error
Compacting or reducing the Outlook PST size is a simple and easy method to resolve this issue. Any user can try the below mentioned steps below to shrink their Outlook PST file. However, there is a chance that it may help you to resolve the delay in receiving emails in your Outlook 2013, 2016 account.
- Open your MS Outlook profile
- Go to “File” >> “Account Settings” >> “Account Settings”.
- Now click on “Data File” >> Choose the PST file to be compacted >> “Settings” options.
- Hit on “Compact Now” button.
4. Separate Large Data File
Having a large Outlook data file is another reason for the “delay in receiving emails in Outlook” error. And if you find that your Outlook data file has reached the maximum size, then you should download the SysTools Split PST Tool.
This software will divide your big data file into smaller parts without losing or changing the original data. It will break up large PST files into smaller parts by size, date, subject, etc. Download the free trial version to analyze how it works and fix the Outlook slow to receive email error.
5. Try to Open Outlook in Safe Mode
This is another way to resolve the “delay in receiving emails in Outlook” error, so let’s start the working steps:
- Close your Outlook email client.
- Choose the “Windows + R”
- Type and open “exe /safe”.
- Hit the “Enter”
If your Outlook starts in safe mode, it will fetch new emails quickly.
Note: This is a time-consuming process depending on the size of your PST data file.
Tool Tip
If you are Outlook user, then you are aware of Outlook data file corruption. So, if you can repair and fix your PST file using two methods. One is a free inbuilt utility provided by Microsoft which is known as Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe). But it is recommended to use a reliable third-party application like Outlook PST File Repair Tool. Because this allows repairing severely damaged PST files without any data loss. Download and run the software to resolve PST file issues efficiently.
Why is Outlook Slow to Receive Emails?
It’s a technological problem. Outlook might receive emails slowly due to a large PST file and a slow internet connection. To fix “Outlook slow to receive emails,” try adjusting your account settings for a quicker solution.
Related Factors: Why Outlook is Delayed in Receiving Emails
- Server Issues
- PST file exceeds the size limit
- Too many Outlook add-ins
- Emails with Large Attachments
- Poor Internet Connection Speed
- Incorrect synchronization settings
- Insufficient storage on your device
- Slow or unstable internet connections
Conclusion
Here in this blog, we have discussed the cause and solution to resolve the delay in receiving emails in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2and 000 versions in Windows OS. Go through the various reasons why Outlook takes a long time to download email messages to the Inbox. In addition, read the blog and resolve your Outlook 2016 account issue effortlessly.
Commonly Asked User Queries
Why Outlook Send Receive Slow?
Outlook’s slow send-receive process can be attributed to several factors, including a large mailbox, slow internet connection, or server issues. Ensure your mailbox isn’t overloaded, and consider optimizing your internet speed. If the problem still exist, then your hard drive has created bad sectors.
Why there is a delay in receiving emails in Outlook?
Delay in receiving email messages in Outlook account is a quite common problem. This occurs when there is some antivirus program installed in the user system, spam filter in the computer/server or incoming server settings, etc. MS Outlook takes extra preparing time to send receive process.
How do I fix a delayed email in Outlook?
Fixing delayed delivery of email messages in Outlook can be fixed easily by changing the settings in your account.
- Open the delayed message (In the Outbox)
- Click on the Options and Click on the Delay Delivery option.
- Now uncheck the Do Not Deliver Before option and Click OK.
How can I speed up Outlook?
To increase the performance and speed of Microsoft Outlook account, follow the 5 simple ways to speed up Outlook:
- Download complete IMAP emails
- Disable Add-Ins
- Compact PST files
- Disable RSS feature
- Repair PST files