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Likely fix

Fix: Email stuck in outbox

An email stuck in the outbox usually means the mail app cannot connect to the sending server, the attachment is too large, the app is offline, or the account needs you to sign in again.

Quick answer

Check your internet connection, remove large attachments, make sure the mail app is online, then restart the app and try sending again.

Important warning

Do not keep clicking Send repeatedly. Some mail apps may send duplicate copies once the connection works again.

Try this

  1. 1 Check that your internet connection is working.
  2. 2 Open the outbox and look for the stuck message.
  3. 3 Remove large attachments or replace them with a file-sharing link.
  4. 4 Make sure the mail app is not set to offline mode.
  5. 5 Restart the mail app.
  6. 6 Sign out and back into the email account if asked.
  7. 7 Try sending a simple test email with no attachment.
  8. 8 If the simple email sends, the original message or attachment is the problem.

Common causes

No internet connection.

Mail app is in offline mode.

Large attachment.

Email account needs sign-in again.

Sending server is temporarily unavailable.

The message itself is corrupted or too large.

What to check next

  • Check whether websites load.
  • Check whether a simple email with no attachment sends.
  • Check whether the app says offline.
  • Check whether the account asks for a password.
  • Check whether the message has a very large attachment.

FAQ

Why is my email stuck in the outbox?

The mail app could be offline, your internet connection may be down, the attachment may be too large, or the account may need you to sign in again.

Should I delete the email from the outbox?

If it will not send after checking internet, attachments, and account sign-in, copy the message text somewhere safe, delete the stuck email, and create a fresh message.

Can a large attachment stop email sending?

Yes. Large attachments are one of the most common reasons email gets stuck in the outbox.

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