Being unable to send an email can be very frustrating, especially if it is something important. The good news is that this problem usually has a simple cause, and this guide will help you find and fix it.
Just like receiving emails, sending them also requires a working internet connection. If your internet is not working, your email will not be able to send anything.
To check your internet:
Open your internet browser and try visiting a website you use often.
If it loads normally, your internet is fine and you can move on to the next step.
If it does not load, try restarting your router — the small box that connects your home to the internet. Turn it off, wait about one minute, and then turn it back on. Wait another minute or two for it to reconnect, then try sending your email again.
A full mailbox does not just stop emails from coming in — it can also stop you from sending them. Your email account needs a small amount of free space to function properly, and when that space runs out completely, sending and receiving both stop working.
If you see any message mentioning "storage," "quota," or "mailbox full," this is likely your issue. Please read the article: "My Email Keeps Saying 'Mailbox Full' — What Do I Do?" for instructions on how to clear up space.
One very common reason emails fail to send is a small mistake in the recipient's email address. Even one wrong letter, an extra space, or a missing dot can cause the email to fail.
Here is what a correctly formatted email address looks like: [email protected]
Things to double-check:
There should be no spaces anywhere in the address
There should be an @ symbol (the "at" sign) somewhere in the middle
There should be a dot near the end, followed by something like "com," "net," or "org"
If you are unsure of someone's correct email address, it is best to ask them directly.
When you press "Send," your email goes to a folder called the Outbox first, before it actually leaves your account. If something went wrong during sending, the email may be stuck there.
To check this:
Look in the folder list on the left side of your email screen for a folder called "Outbox" or "Sent."
If your email is sitting in the Outbox and not moving, try deleting it and writing a fresh copy to send again.
If the email is already in your Sent folder, it has been sent successfully — the problem may be on the recipient's end (for example, it may have gone to their Spam folder).
If the above steps have not solved the problem, try restarting your computer or tablet. Restarting clears out small temporary errors that can build up over time — think of it like shaking the crumbs out of a keyboard. Turn your device off completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try sending your email again.
If your email still will not send after all of the above, please contact our support team. Please let us know what error message (if any) appeared on your screen, as this can help us identify the problem more quickly.