Emails are not being received into my inbox and are instead automatically being deleted

Remove any affected sender from Blocked senders, then delete or correct any Inbox or Sweep rule that moves matching messages to Deleted Items.

Stop the automatic deletion

Use Outlook.com in a desktop browser, because rules cannot be viewed or edited from a mobile device.

1. Select Settings (gear) → Mail → Junk email.
2. Under Blocked senders and domains, remove the sender or domain whose messages are being deleted.
3. Add the legitimate sender under Safe senders and domains.
4. Go to Settings → Mail → Rules.
5. Examine every rule—not only rules named after the sender. Look for conditions matching:
   • Part of the sender’s address or domain
   • Words in the subject or message
   • All incoming messages
6. Delete or edit any rule whose action is Delete, Move to Deleted Items, or another unexpected folder. Microsoft specifically identifies blocked senders and Inbox rules as causes of mail going to Deleted Items.^1^
7. Check Settings → Mail → Sweep and remove any unwanted Sweep action. Sweep can automatically delete all incoming mail from a sender, retain only the newest message, or delete messages older than ten days.^2^

Also check Other, Junk Email, and Archive, and set Filter → All. A missing message may have been filtered or moved rather than deleted.^3^

Recover affected messages

1. Open Deleted Items.
2. Select the messages using their checkboxes.
3. Select Move → Inbox.
4. If they are no longer there, remain in Deleted Items and select Recover items deleted from this folder.
5. Select the messages and choose Restore.

Outlook.com removes mail from Deleted Items after 30 days; items removed from that folder remain recoverable for 30 days. The Recoverable Items folder requires a PC or Mac rather than a mobile browser.^4^

After changing the settings, send a test message from an affected sender. If the recovered or test message immediately returns to Deleted Items, continue below.

If messages are still being deleted

1. Disable forwarding:
   Settings → Mail → Forwarding and IMAP → Disable forwarding → Save.^5^
2. Check connected mail applications:
   On the same Forwarding and IMAP page, disable POP and IMAP temporarily. A connected application using either protocol can affect mailbox contents; Microsoft recommends disabling them when investigating missing incoming mail.^6^
3. Check automatic emptying:
   Open Settings → Mail → Message handling and clear Empty my deleted items folder if enabled. This does not cause messages to enter Deleted Items, but it can make incorrectly deleted messages disappear when signing out.^7^

If settings were changed without authorization

Review the Microsoft account’s Security → Review activity page. Expand unfamiliar entries and choose This wasn’t me or Secure your account, then change the password and update security information.^8^

If unauthorized access is confirmed, run a full malware scan before changing the password, then recheck forwarding, connected accounts, and automatic replies.^9^

If deletion continues after a clean web-only test with rules, Sweep, forwarding, POP, and IMAP disabled, select Help in Outlook.com, enter the issue, scroll to Still need help?, and select Yes to contact Outlook.com support.^6^

References

1. Mail goes to the Junk folder by mistake | Microsoft Support
2. Working with message folders in Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
3. Email is missing from your Outlook.com inbox | Microsoft Support
4. [Web](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/mail/recover-and-restore-deleted-items-in-outlook)
5. [Outlook.com](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/mail/turn-automatic-forwarding-on-or-off-in-outlook)
6. Can't send or receive email in Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
7. Working with message folders in Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
8. What is the Recent activity page? | Microsoft Support
9. How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account | Microsoft Support