How to Fix Outlook Rules Not Working on Windows
By setting up Outlook rules, you can configure the app to handle your inbox efficiently. This allows you to save time and automate actions that would otherwise require manual effort. But what if these Outlook rules stop working on your Windows computer?
To help out, we have compiled a list of useful solutions that should get Outlook rules to work again.
1. Make Sure Outlook Rules Are Enabled
To start, you need to ensure that you haven’t inadvertently disabled any Outlook rules. To do so, use these steps:
2. Rename Outlook Rules
Using lengthy names for your Outlook rules can cause them to become larger in size, leading to unexpected issues with their functionality. To address this, try assigning shorter names to your Outlook rules and see if that gets things moving again.
To rename Outlook rules, use these steps:
3. Delete Unwanted Outlook Rules
Apart from renaming rules, you can also consider deleting rules that you no longer need to prevent conflicts or unexpected behavior. Here’s how.
4. Reset the Outlook SRS File
Microsoft Outlook stores essential account configuration in an SRS (Send and Receive Settings) file on your PC. If this file somehow becomes corrupted, Outlook rules won’t work. To fix this, you can force Outlook to recreate the SRS file by renaming the old file. Here’s how.
Restart Outlook after completing the above steps and check if your rules work as expected.
5. Disable the Stop Processing More Rules Option
By adjusting the settings in the Outlook app, you can instruct it to halt the processing of additional rules once a specific rule has run. However, this can lead to Outlook ignoring all subsequent rules, giving a false impression that your rules are not functioning correctly. To avoid this, you need to disable the “stop processing more rules” option by following the steps below.
6. Configure Outlook Rules to Run on All Devices
Another reason why your Outlook rules may not work is if you have configured them to run on a specific device only. Here’s how you can change that.
7. Activate Cached Exchange Mode
When you enable the Cached Exchange Mode, Outlook retains a copy of your mailbox within the Outlook data file. This can help the app implement your rules without any issues.
To enable Cached Exchange Mode in Outlook:
8. Run the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool
When you use Microsoft Outlook on your Windows PC, it generates OST and PST files to store your account data locally. If these data files become inaccessible for some reason, your Outlook rules may stop working. Fortunately, Outlook includes an inbox repair tool that can help yourepair Outlook data files with ease. Here’s how to run it.
Restart Outlook after this and check if the issue is still there.
9. Update the Outlook App
Using an outdated version of Outlook can also lead to such issues. If you havedisabled automatic updates for Office apps, use these steps to update the Outlook app.
Wait for Microsoft Office to check for new updates and install them. Following that, Outlook rules should start working.
10. Reset All the Rules
Lastly, if none of the above tips help, you can consider deleting all the Outlook rules and then setting them up again. Doing so will help fix any issues caused by improper configuration or corrupt data.
To delete all the Outlook rules at once,open the Run dialog box. TypeOutlook.exe /cleanrulesin the text box and pressEnter.
Once Outlook deletes all the rules, head toManage Rules & Alertsand set them up again.
Manage Your Emails Efficiently With Outlook Rules
Without Outlook rules, organizing your inbox can be quite challenging, especially if you receive a lot of emails throughout the day. Hopefully, one or more of the above tips have proven useful, and Outlook rules are now working as before.
Microsoft Outlook has more to offer than meets the eye. Find out how you can make the most of it by using these advanced Outlook tips and tricks.
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