Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Steve Cochran, Windows Mail MVP, has created a programme called WMUtil that is available for download for free.  It allows users to compact and repair the Windows Mail database.

More importantly, it fixes an oft-seen problem wherein users are suddenly unable to send any emails using Windows Mail because OE thinks there is a message stuck in the Outbox (when in fact it is empty).

To quote Steve:

"In some circumstances, messages will become stuck in the Outbox folder according to WinMail (even though no message may exist in the outbox directory of eml files). These stuck messages prevent WinMail from being able to send any messages. Clicking on the Clear Outbox button will remove all references in the database to outbox messages. This should then enable the user to send messages again."

WMUtil can be downloaded here:
http://www.oehelp.com/WMUtil/

 

Published Thu, May 3 2007 7:12 by sandi
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Comments

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Sunday, May 27, 2007 11:53 PM by aditya

it worked well thanku

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Monday, May 28, 2007 6:12 AM by mark whipp

Thankyou for you help.  It has cured my outbox and i am able to send mails now.  

I wonder if you have any tips as i have a similar problem in my in-box . I HAVE 3 EMAILS IN THERE I CANNOT MOVE OR DELTE THEY ALSO COME UP WITH A UN-KNOWN ERROR.

Any tips would be great

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Friday, June 01, 2007 9:48 AM by Tech-Know
I found this handy app and it did the job on a few workstations Thanks a bunch T-K

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Sunday, June 03, 2007 2:31 PM by Bill
WMutil worked for me. I had a messge stuck in the outbox which prevented me from sending email. It is okay now.

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:20 PM by steve

utility doesn't work at all

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Friday, June 22, 2007 3:26 PM by Ben Eriksen

I cannot get this programn to respond what am  I doing wrong..must I go back to using XP.???? I need HELP IN A BIG WAY

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Saturday, June 23, 2007 2:26 PM by Karen

Even though I've closed Windows Mail, the buttons still will not activate. I've tried deleting, reinstalling, restarting... help

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Monday, June 25, 2007 10:50 AM by Lou

This fix does not work (just like Windows mail). As with other comments below my Windows Mail is closed but the buttons will not activate.

Microsoft needs to assign a little more priority to this as the problem seems to be very widespread (see google search results).

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 9:03 AM by derek

The utility worked a treat for me. Just make sure that the Windows Mail program is closed using task manager or the options in the utility will be greyed out..

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Thursday, July 12, 2007 6:50 AM by Tom Adams

After reading varoious other person's ideas on how to get 2 emails unstuck in the OUTBOX I had given up. Then I found this program and gave it a try. Amazing! After 3 days of ridiculous attempts on my own this program fixed it in 10 seconds.

Thanks to the author!

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Thursday, July 19, 2007 2:26 AM by Ben

I have used this progrom.  

It has got rid of the stuck emails, but now it is asking me for my username and password.

The thing is, it is business email, and I don't know who provides it.  Is there anyway to find out my username.

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Friday, July 20, 2007 6:05 PM by Tom Hamlett

Can use your program to get rid of stuck email, still can't send email and it asks for user and password and then won't accept it. Is this a Vista problem only?

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Friday, July 20, 2007 6:05 PM by Tom Hamlett

Can use your program to get rid of stuck email, still can't send email and it asks for user and password and then won't accept it. Is this a Vista problem only?

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Friday, July 20, 2007 6:05 PM by Tom Hamlett

Can use your program to get rid of stuck email, still can't send email and it asks for user and password and then won't accept it. Is this a Vista problem only?

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:42 PM by JTG

This worked great for me.  If the buttons are grayed out, close Windows mail via task manager.  Helped big time!!!

# trouble sending messages with windows mail in windows vista - Error

Saturday, July 28, 2007 6:37 AM by trouble sending messages with windows mail in windows vista - Error

Pingback from  trouble sending messages with windows mail in windows vista - Error

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Wednesday, April 23, 2008 12:10 AM by Vandi

This worked like a charm. Stuck outbox e-mails were preventing me from sending. This cleared up and I'm back to work. Thank You greatly to the author.

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Monday, May 19, 2008 9:01 AM by Satch

brilliant. Thank you so much for this.

# re: Fix: Unable to send emails using Windows Mail (message stuck in Outbox)

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 8:17 AM by Geraldo

Microsoft hot Fix:

support.microsoft.com/.../941090