Windows 10 Mail Not Working. Causes, Solutions and Alternatives

Last update: 04/10/2024
Windows 10 Mail Not Working

Instead of visiting different websites to access your emails, you can add all your accounts to the program E-mail Windows 10 for more efficient work. Let's see more about this desktop program, and what we can do when Windows 10 Mail not working.

After launch, Microsoft has been continually improving it by providing constant updates. However, some people may have trouble opening it, or it may not work at all. They do not receive any emails in the app.

There can be several reasons for this. In this guide, we will discuss all the possible fixes so that you can use this program that is on your computer. Windows 10.

Windows 10 Mail Not Working
Windows 10 Mail Not Working

Windows 10 Mail Not Working. Common Problems

Emails are an essential means of communication in the business world. They are fast, cheap, accessible and allow users to transmit various files and documents.

Windows 10 operating system offers its users a special email application that helps them stay updated about the latest email messages received in the inbox.

However, it would be a real disaster to know if your Windows 10 mail app is not working properly. Following are the most common issues faced by users in the Windows 10 mail program.

  1. The mail program does not start. No matter what I do, mail won't open on Windows 10.
  2. Windows 10 mail not syncingIn this problem, the email software does not sync with the email providers and users lose their latest emails.
  3. The mail program does not updateMany users have reported that the mail app is not updating on their system.
  4. Windows 10 mail crashes. The mail application regularly crashes while the user is accessing it.
  5. The program does not receive emails. Another common problem with many users. Even after synchronization is enabled, the mail program does not receive the emails, rendering the software useless.
  6. Windows 10 mail freezesUsers have also complained that whenever they open the program, it gets stuck on a particular window and remains idle.

Windows 10 Mail Not Working. Solutions

If you are facing Windows Mail stopped working, there are a number of solutions to apply. There are many reasons why you might face this problem, so there are multiple solutions. Let’s take a look at these methods and fix the problem in no time.

In the previous section, we learned about the most common problems faced by Windows 10 users. Let us now discuss the methods to fix those problems.

1. Check the privacy settings of the Calendar app

Windows 10 gives you great ways to manage your privacy settings for different apps. You can restrict apps from using your private information, including calendar events.

However, the Calendar app is linked to Windows Mail, and if you limit its access, Windows 10 Mail may not work. Therefore, you need to allow apps to access Calendar. To do that, follow these steps:

  • Enter to Windows Start menu.
  • Now, click on “Configuration".
  • In "Configuration”, click on “Privacy ".
  • In the left panel, select “Calendar".
  • You will get a toggle button to activate the option “Allow apps to access the calendar”. If you find it disabled, please enable it.
  • Next, in the section “Choose which apps can access the calendar”, activate the option “Mail and calendar".
  • Now exit the settings and reboot the system. Check if Windows 10 mail works.

2. Check that Sync is On

If your privacy settings are correct and your Windows 10 Mail app isn't working, try setting up a secure Internet connection for your mailbox.

  • Open the application Windows mail from the taskbar.
  • Click on gear icon to open the app settings.
  • Choose "Manage accounts” from the list of options given.
  • Then, select your email account in the next window.
  • Click on «Change mailbox synchronization settings«.
  • Make sure the option “Email" and "Synchronization options” is activated.
  • Then click on "Ready”To save the changes.

To see if you are notified about incoming emails in your email account, send an email to yourself using any internet browser and check if the Mail app is working properly.

3. Change your location settings

Location can also affect the way your email works. Therefore, you should check that your location settings are set correctly. Proceed as follows:

  • Enter to Windows Start menu.
  • Now, click on “Configuration".
  • In "Configuration”, click on “Time and language".
  • In the left panel, choose “Region".
  • In the right panel, set your country or region. Choose your region.
  • Now write "Control panel” in the Windows search bar and click the result to open.
  • Now search for “Region” and click on it.
  • In the window "Region” click on the tab “Administrative".
  • Then click on "Change system locale".
  • A new window will open, select your country from the drop-down menu and then click “Accept".
  • Now exit the settings and reboot the system.

The Mail app not working issue should now be resolved. If not, please follow the fixes below.

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4. Use SFC scan in command prompt

Perform SFC Scan of the symbol of the system can fix the obstacles that cause your email software to stop working.

  • Enter to Windows Start menu.
  • Find and select the folder “Windows system".
  • A new section will open, click on “Symbol of the system".
  • In the window of commands, write the following code:
    • SFC / scannow
  • Then click “Enter".
  • Scanning begins SFC and will take some time to complete.

Once the scan is complete, check if the issue is resolved or not, otherwise, perform the DISM scan, which is explained below.

5. Use DISM scan in command prompt

  • Enter to Windows Start menu.
  • Find and select the folder “Windows system".
  • A new section will open, click on “Symbol of the system".
  • In the command window, type the following code:
    • dism/online/cleanup-image/restorehealth 
  • Then click “Enter” to begin the DISM scan.
  • Exploration DISM It would also take about 15-20 minutes to complete, so please be patient.

After the scan is complete, exit the command prompt and reboot the machine. Then check if Windows Mail is working.

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6. Update Windows Mail

Si tu windows mail is out of date, you may experience issues with syncing. Make sure to update the app and see if emails start syncing correctly.

  • To actualize Windows mail, opens Microsoft Store.
  • Next, click on the Home tab.
  • Then, in the upper right corner, click on the three horizontal points.
  • Choose "Downloads and Updates".
  • A new window opens. In the left panel, select “installed".
  • Then search for “Mail and calendar” and click on its three horizontal dots.
  • Here you can update the app if an update is available. Once the update is complete, check if Windows Mail starts syncing correctly.

7. Check and install Windows 10 updates

Microsoft provides frequent updates to Windows 10 to keep it running smoothly and stable. While Windows usually updates itself automatically, you can also check for the latest updates manually.

Maybe outdated Windows is causing the mail app problem. Windows 10 native program updates are done from the “Windows Update”, with the following steps:

  • Enter to Windows Start menu.
  • Now, click on “Configuration".
  • In "Configuration”, click on “Update and security".
  • In the left menu, click “Windows Update".
  • Under the title “Windows Update”, you will see a “Search for updates”. Click it.
  • If the system is updated, you will be able to see the notification “Everything is up to date!".

8. Reinstall Windows Mail

If none of the above fixes work, another option is to uninstall and then reinstall the Windows Mail app.

To uninstall the mail app, use PowerShell.

  • Run PowerShell as administrator.
  • Copy and paste the following command:
    • get-appxpackage * microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps * | remove-appxpackage
  • Press the “ keyEnter” to execute it.

This would uninstall the mail app from your device. To install it again, go to Microsoft Store.

  • Search Microsoft Store in the Windows search bar and select to open it.
  • Look for the mail application “Windows mail” and click to install it.
  • After finishing the installation, check that it is working properly.

9. Reset Windows Mail

If the above solutions have not yielded any positive results, you may consider resetting the Windows Mail app. Resetting any app removes the data related to it and may resolve the issue.

  • To start, open “Configuration".
  • Then select the option "Applications".
  • You will then see a list of all the applications installed on your computer. Select “Mail and calendar" of the list.
  • Then click on "Advanced".
  • Now, click on the “ buttonResetting” to start the process.
  • Then a confirmation window will appear before starting the process, confirm.

10. Reset the Microsoft Store cache

The cache is a location of storage that collects temporary data from browsers and websites to improve their loading speed. You can try resetting Microsoft Store Cache if windows 10 mail app not working.

  • Writes "cmd” in the Windows search box.
  • Then click on "Run as administrator” to open the command prompt with administrative rights.
  • Then, type the following command:
    • wsreset.exe
  • Then press the “ keyEnter".

This solution may not work for everyone, but it's worth a try.

11. Disable Two-Factor Authentication

The two-factor authentication feature increases the security of your emails and private content. However, the Mail & Calendar app does not support this feature.

You can disable it or create an app password for the user account that uses this feature. You can check the process of creating an app password with your email provider.

12. Use the Store Apps Troubleshooter

If your Windows 10 Mail app is not working, you can use the Store Apps troubleshooter to resolve the problem.

The troubleshooter will fix any glitches that exist within the mail application.

To run the troubleshooter, do the following:

  • Enter to Windows Start menu.
  • Now, click on “Configuration".
  • In "Configuration”, click on “Update and security".
  • In the left menu, click on “Solve problems".
  • In the right panel, click on “Additional troubleshooters".
  • A new window will open, click on “Windows Store Apps”.
  • Then click the “Run the troubleshooter".

Once the troubleshooting is complete, you can view the possible errors that might have crashed the Mail app. You should resolve these errors, if any, and check if the Mail app issue has been fixed.

13. Update drivers

Outdated drivers can serve as a hindrance many times and cause a lot of issues in the Windows 10 operating system. It is necessary to update all the drivers if you want to avoid any kind of hurdle while operating a computer.

  • Press the “Windows keys + I” to open “Configuration".
  • Then click on "Update and security".
  • In the left panel, click on “Windows Update".
  • Then click on "Search for updates".
  • If there are updates, download and install them. The drivers will be updated.

However, if no driver updates are found on Windows 10, you can download the latest driver version from the manufacturer's site.

  • Go to the manufacturer's website or software and download the latest device drivers.
  • Press the “ keysWindows + X”And click on“Device administrator".
  • Find the drivers you want to update and right-click on them to see the context menu.
  • Then click on "Update Driver".
  • Then click on “Browse my computer” to obtain the driver software.
  • You can enter the path of the downloaded device drivers in the text box or browse for the folder.
  • Follow the on-screen wizard to install the latest drivers.

You can follow any of the ways to install the drivers. The first way; using Windows update is more reliable as the recent version is tested regarding compatibility and other aspects.

However, if the need arises, you can use the manufacturer's sites to download the latest device drivers.

14. Perform system restore

System Restore It is used to roll back the computer and restore the previous settings to an earlier time. You can perform a system restore especially when you change several settings and do not understand which setting is causing problems with the operation of the operating system.

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If your Windows 10 Mail app is not working, you can perform a system restore to identify the root cause of the problem and take necessary action on it.

  • Enter to Windows Start menu.
  • Now, click on “Configuration".
  • In "Configuration”, click on “Update and security".
  • In the left menu, click on “Recovery".
  • In the section "Reset this PC”, click the button “Contac us".
  • The Windows wizard will open, follow all the steps to perform a successful reset.

15. Turn off Windows Defender

As its name suggests, Windows Security It is a built-in tool that keeps viruses and malware under control on the PC. However, when you turn it on, it can also interfere with some programs and tools.

If your Windows 10 Mail app is not working and the problem is still not resolved, please do the following:

  • Enter to Windows Start menu.
  • Now, click on “Configuration".
  • In "Configuration”, click on “Update and security".
  • In the left menu, click on “Windows security".
  • Now select "Firewall and Network Protection”, in the right panel.
  • You will get three network profiles:
    • Domain network.
    • Private network.
    • Public network.
  • Go into each of the profiles, and turn off the Windows Firewall.
  • Now test if Windows Mail works.

If your Mail app starts syncing correctly after following these steps, you need to allow the Mail and Calendar app through the firewall.

  • To get started, click on ““Firewall and Network Protection”.
  • Then, choose “Allow an application through the firewall".
  • Then click on “Change settings".
  • Choose "Mail and calendar” from the list of applications. In addition, you must check the boxes in the columns “Private"And"Public".
  • Then click on “Accept".

Check if the Windows Mail app starts syncing correctly after performing these steps. Remember that if this step worked for you, you should re-enable the Firewall in each of the network profiles.

16. Disable third-party antivirus software

If your Windows 10 Mail app is not syncing even after disabling Windows Security, disable the third-party antivirus tool if you have one on your computer.

You don't need to turn off your antivirus tool forever, but doing this step will help you identify if the software is interfering with email or calendar event syncing.

To prevent any type of virus or malware from entering your PC, make sure you do not open spam emails or emails from unknown people.

In case the mail starts working when disabling the antivirus, you will need to give special permission to the mail in the antivirus interface, or set it to “White list".

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Alternatives to Windows Mail

With a desktop email client, you can bring all your accounts under one roof, implement a variety of productivity tools, and integrate your other favorite apps.

They are easy to install and generally offer more power than web apps. If you are a die-hard Windows user, a Windows email app is the way to go.

It shouldn't matter which webmail service you currently use, desktop email clients should work with most providers. That was the starting point of our search: apps that work well with a variety of email services.

1.eM Client

Windows 10 Mail Not Working
eM Client

The modern and intuitive user interface of eM Client makes it a pleasure to use, but it may not be to everyone's taste. Fortunately, you get several dozen themes and the ability to customize almost every aspect of the user interface.

To get started, choose your layout: messages at the bottom, on the right, etc. Common actions like reply, forward, archive, and more are conveniently located at the top of your inbox, but you can add, delete, and rearrange what's displayed by right-clicking on any of the actions.

On the right side, you'll get a list of previous emails with that address to make it easier to find past conversations.

For most of the UI fine-tuning, go to Settings > Appearance > Themes. Click on your theme and select “Theme editor”. Spinners, progress bars, links and other elements can also be changed with just a few clicks.

The handy sidebar displays contact details, past conversations, your calendar, address book, and any invitations you may have. These items can also be rearranged and removed.

If you need to add a task to your calendar, click the checkmark icon in the sidebar, write a note for the task, and select a due date with reminders.

If you send many emails with the same message, the function quick text allows you to create templates to complete the body of the email with one click.

Perhaps the Achilles heel of eM Client is the absence of a mobile app. But if you use a different mobile app, eM Client can automatically sync with that app so your emails are always up to date.

2 Thunderbird

Windows 10 Mail Not Working
Thunderbird

With Thunderbird, you can specify where your email is stored locally, schedule backups, and manage server settings.

It also provides some security features, such as end-to-end encryption, that are not found in other clients. Because it is open source, Thunderbird has a catalog of plugins from various developers to help improve the user experience.

And it's all free.

It doesn't have the most modern user interface, being modeled after Mozilla's Firefox browser and using a tabbed system. Still, you do have options. To see them, click on the hamburger menu at the top right.

From here, you can customize the look and feel of the app, select privacy settings, and choose basic features like email composition options.

Compared to other email clients, Thunderbird It is noticeably a bit slower at sending emails and receiving responses.

Click on Tools > Plugin Options, to see the extensions available to get more out of Thunderbird. Smart templates and Quick text allow you to create email templates for quick responses.

“Send later” allows you to schedule future times to send emails or send messages repeatedly using rules.

3.Mailbird

Windows 10 Mail Not Working
mailbird

One of the most modern and easy-to-use email clients is mailbird, which facilitates the administration of both email and the most used applications.

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When connected, integrations share the same user interface with your inbox, making Mailbird appealing to users who don't want to leave. Slack, Trello, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Twitter are just a few of the apps with native integrations.

To get started, download the client, add your email, and you're ready to go. As your emails sync, you'll be prompted to select a layout and connect third-party apps.

To connect, click on your app, sign in, and you're ready to go without leaving your inbox. Each app you add appears as an icon in the sidebar for one-click access.

One way to use your inbox without resorting to other tools is the Snooze feature. If you want to be reminded about an event, such as a webinar, right-click the email, choose a date and time, and the email will reappear in your inbox at that time.

It will also be stored in your Snooze folder so you can see what's coming up. With the unified mailbox feature, you can add multiple email accounts and manage all emails and folders from your single inbox.

4. Kiwi for Gmail

Windows 10 Mail Not Working
Kiwi for Gmail

If you want your Gmail experience to be replicated in an email client, Kiwi for Gmail Gmail offers that, and more. Not only does it provide the same Gmail user interface you're used to, but it also lets you work across all of your Google apps without leaving the client, without opening files in new browser windows.

Once connected, your Google Workspace automatically loads into the user interface in the left sidebar next to your familiar Gmail inbox.

From there, it’s just a click to open Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Your new window “floats” in the client by default, meaning you can drag it anywhere on your screen without having to take another step.

By pressing “Control + Alt + Windows + M”, you can open a compose window from anywhere on your computer. If you need to quickly access a closed document, click Archive > Recently Closed Documents.

Because it's designed to mirror the Gmail experience, Kiwi doesn't provide many additional productivity tools or customization options, but they do offer integrations with Zoom, Grammarly, and Boomerang.

5. The Bat!

Windows 10 Mail Not Working
The Bat!

The Bat! is a highly secure email client and also one with tools to help you be more productive. It has more features than any other email client with the exception of Outlook, so learning what each one does will take some time.

But many of the common features, such as setting up filters, folders, and rules, are self-explanatory. For the more difficult parts, the company's forums and support section are excellent.

“Encryption on the fly” allows you to set a master password when you log in The Bat for the first time. After that, all your data (messages, address books, configuration files) will be sent and stored encrypted.

The Bat It feels more utilitarian than other clients, plus it gives you control over the design. You can select a light or dark theme, and from there, adjust the UI menu and toolbar to include only what you want.

Formats what appears, such as commands, font, and colors in messages. You can change almost any field or box you are in by right-clicking and selecting “Preferences” in the menu. This will take you to the options for that area/field.

The Bat It also comes with some nice and fun features. The MailTicker provides a ticker similar to a running stock on your screen for all unread emails.

The ticker speed and colors can be customized and you can drag (or hide) it anywhere on the screen. SmartBat allows you to take notes in simple text files like a digital notepad or journal.

And the QR code generator allows you to quickly generate a code from text messages, emails, and anything else within an email.

6.Microsoft Outlook

Windows 10 Mail Not Working
Microsoft Outlook

Since the 90, Microsoft Outlook has been the email client of choice for businesses large and small. It is a sophisticated platform with many advanced features, yet is still relatively easy to use.

And when included with Microsoft Office 365, a suite of several dozen productivity apps that include Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint, among others, becomes a powerful platform.

For any business that wants to buy one email client and never look back, Outlook is that platform.

Once downloaded, click Information > Options to access its settings. To start, you get a handful of themes and seemingly limitless options for organizing all the features within the user interface.

That includes customizing the horizontal top menu (the ribbon), which contains all the commands for performing tasks. You can add any of hundreds of command options for quick access based on your preferences.

Also within the email client are pre-made templates, built-in dictation, read-aloud text, and rules to manage emails with keywords, flags, sender name, destination field, and more.

And there are hundreds of third-party integrations (called add-ons) to customize your experience.

To close

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The Mail app in Windows 10 It is one of the most important applications that allows users to access their emails in the blink of an eye.

So, if this app has crashed on your PC, make sure to fix this issue as soon as possible. There is a high chance of missing crucial emails if you are unaware that the app has crashed.

So, these are all the possible actions to fix the Windows Mail issue. However, if you were still unable to access the Mail app properly even after applying all the above fixes, then unfortunately, you might need to reset your Windows 10 system.