Syncing Issue

Question

Syncing Issue

clive m 0

I have Outlook on my desktop, iPad and Android mobile phone.

At the moment messages are landing on the Ipad and mobile phone but not on my desktop.

Occasionally a message will reach the desktop but it could be after several hours.

The issue has existed for 10 days.

What action do I need to take.

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Thomas4-N 23,140 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello clive m,

Since your emails arrive on your iPad and Android phone but are delayed on your desktop, I'd like to narrow down what's happening before suggesting further changes to Outlook.

Could you clarify two things?

Are you using classic Outlook or new Outlook on your desktop? Also, is it a Windows PC or Mac?
When an email is missing from desktop Outlook, does it appear immediately if you sign in to your email account through a web browser?

This will help determine whether the delay is specific to the desktop application or involves the account's synchronization.

For reference: Microsoft's Outlook connection troubleshooting guide.

With those details, we can narrow down the next step without unnecessarily removing or reconfiguring your account.

clive m 0 Reputation points

2026-11-05T09:46:46.0333333+00:00

Thank you.

I am using Classic Outlook. I have found that to release emails to the desktop I click on Send/Receive and then Update Folder and they come through. I can work with that but previously that has happened automatically.

Regards

CM
clive m 0 Reputation points

2026-11-05T09:47:24.2766667+00:00

Thank you.

I am using Classic Outlook. I have found that to release emails to the desktop I click on Send/Receive and then Update Folder and they come through. I can work with that but previously that has happened automatically.

Regards

CM
clive m 0 Reputation points

2026-11-05T09:48:05.2466667+00:00

Thank you.

I am using Classic Outlook. I have found that to release emails to the desktop I click on Send/Receive and then Update Folder and they come through. I can work with that but previously that has happened automatically.

Regards

CM

Answer 2

Since mail arrives fine on your iPad and phone, your account itself is working, so this is a sync problem in the desktop app only.

First, force a manual sync. In the new Outlook desktop app, open Settings and review the sync settings for the account, including how far back mail is set to sync. In classic Outlook, use the Send/Receive tab and choose Update Folder.

Next, check the inbox view is not hiding mail. Make sure the filter is set to All rather than Unread, and check the Other tab if you use Focused Inbox.

If it still stalls, remove the account from the desktop app and add it again. This rebuilds the local mail cache and usually clears a stuck sync.