Outlook Not Blocking Junk Mail: 3 Easy Ways to Filter Emails

Block those pesky junk emails in Outlook with these simple steps

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Outlook has a Junk Email folder for spam messages users have no interest in reading. When Outlook’s filter works correctly, it blocks spam from your inbox by sending it to that folder. But for many, Outlook is not blocking junk mail, filling up the primary inbox.

There are also instances whenOutlook keeps sending emails to the junk folderon its own, which points toward a misconfiguration in the email client’s settings.

When Outlook isn’t blocking junk emails, users’ inboxes fill up with unwanted spam messages. Then, users have to erase more unwanted mail manually.

Has your Outlook inbox filled up with junk mail? If so, this is how you can fix Outlook when it’s not blocking spam.

Why is Outlook not blocking my junk mail?

Here are a few reasons the Outlook spam filter is not working:

You may also block the no-sender emails in Outlook, but right now, let’s focus on blocking junk mail.

How do I permanently block junk mail in Outlook?

Before we start changing the Outlook settings, here are a few quick tips you must try:

In case none work, head to the solutions listed next.

1. Set Junk Email Protection to High

By default, the Outlook app junk mail settings are set toNo Automatic Filtering, and you have to configure it manually. So, if Outlook is not blocking junk mail, your primary approach should be to set theJunk Email Protectionto high.

Outlook also recommends checking theJunkfolder periodically because some other emails may be incorrectly flagged as junk and moved to the dedicated folder.

Besides, you could try theSafe Lists Onlysetting, given you have addedSafe RecipientsandSafe Senders.

2. Manually block specific senders

If Outlook isn’t automatically detecting certain senders as spam, you can manually add them to theBlocked Senderslist from theJunk Emailsettings in Outlook 365 and fix things when it is not blocking junk mail. Emails from blocked senders or domains will always be treated as junk.

3. Create a new rule

Rules are one of the best ways to sort out the inbox on Outlook. And not just this, you can also set some to turn off junk mail in Outlook 365.

We have only listed the steps to create one, but you can create several: one to test the subject, another to test the sender’s name, and a last to check the body. You should create a few straightforward rules to filter spam emails in Outlook, though make sure they don’t conflict.

If you were wondering why my junk mail is going to my inbox in Outlook, you now know why and the steps to eliminate the problem. Further, you can go ahead andreport phishing emailsand inform Microsoft of potential attacks.

Also, before you leave, find out how toset an Outlook vacation message.

Comment below if you have any queries or want to share another solution.

Outlook Not Blocking Junk Mail: 3 Easy Ways to Filter Emails#

Why is Outlook not blocking my junk mail?#

How do I permanently block junk mail in Outlook?#

1. Set Junk Email Protection to High#

2. Manually block specific senders#

3. Create a new rule#