Outlook is Not Updating Inbox: 5 Was to Fix it [Fix]

Adjusting your Outlook settings usually fixes this issue

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Key notes

  • Repairing your OST file can help with this problem.
  • Disabling IPv6 can sometimes help with Outlook issues.
outlook w11

Some Outlook users contacted us about issues regarding Outlook not updating its inbox.

This can be a problem and prevent users from receiving new emails, so let’s see how we can fix it.

Why is my Outlook not showing new emails?

This is usually due to synchronization issues. Corrupted OST files and Outlook installation can also cause this problem. Issues with IPv6 and antivirus software can also cause this problem.

What can I do if my Outlook inbox is not updating?

1. Disable Cached Exchange Mod

  1. Click Outlook’s File tab.
  2. Press the Account Settings button.
  3. Click Change on the Account Settings window.
    Change button outlook not updating inbox
  4. Disable (deselect) the Used Cached Exchange Mode option.
    Use Cached exchange Mode option outlook not updating inbox
  5. Press the Account Settings window’s Next button.
  6. Click OK on the dialog box that says you need to restart Outlook.
    OK option outlook not updating inbox
  7. Then restart your Outlook software.

2. Delete (rebuild) Outlook’s OST file

  1. Launch the Run dialog accessory (the quickest method for opening that app is to press Windows + R).
  2. Then input this directory location in the Open box: %localappdata%/Microsoft
  3. Click OK to bring up a Microsoft folder.
    The Run accessory outlook not updating inbox
  4. Open the Outlook subfolder from there.
  5. Right-click Outlook’s OST data file to select Delete.
    Delete option outlook not updating inbox

3. Disable third-party antivirus software

  1. Right-click your antivirus icon in the system tray.
  2. Select a disable or turn off option.
  3. Go to Outlook and check if the problem is still there.
  4. If it’s not adjust your antivirus settings and add Outlook to the exclusions list.

4. Disable IPv6

  1. Open Run’s window.
  2. Input this Network and Sharing Center Run command and click OK: control.exe /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter
  3. Then click that Control Panel applet’s Change adapter settings navigation option.
    The Change adapter settings option outlook not updating inbox
  4. Right-click your internet connection adapter and select Properties.
    The Properties option outlook not updating inbox
  5. Uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 6 checkbox.
    The Internet Protocol Version 6 option outlook not updating inbox
  6. Select OK to apply the new setting.

5. Repair the MS Office Suite

  1. Bring up Windows 11’s or 10’s search box. Pressing Windows + S will open that search tool.
  2. To find Programs and Features, input appwiz.cpl in the search box.
  3. Click appwiz.cpl to bring up the Control Panel’s uninstaller tool.
    An appwiz.cpl search outlook not updating inbox
  4. Select your MS Office application listed within Programs and Features.
    The Programs and Features applet outlook not updating inbox
  5. Press its Change button.
  6. Select the Repair radio button if you’re using Office 2016. Office 365 users should select the more thorough Online Repair option.
    Online Repair option outlook not updating inbox
  7. Click the Repair or Continue button.

Is there a better email client than Outlook?

There are certainly quite a few alternatives to Outlook. Thunderbird and Mailbird are two of the most notable alternative email clients. Our email client software guide provides further details about those applications and others.

There aren’t any guaranteed solutions for Outlook’s inbox not updating since potential causes are varied. However, the resolutions outlined here are among the more likely Outlook inbox fixes.

Outlook’s Inbox Repair tool (otherwise SCANPST.EXE) may also help some users fix the inbox not updating. This Microsoft webpage provides guidelines for repairing data files with SCANPST.EXE.

To avoid any email syncing issues in the future, you can create a unified Inbox view in Outlook for seamless email management.

Many also reported that the Inbox button is not working in Outlook, but we have a guide that addresses this issue.

Do you have any questions about fixing Outlook not updating its inbox? If so, feel free to add them below in the comments box.

More about the topics: Outlook Errors