Send & Receive Issues

Fix Microsoft 365 Sent Emails Having Empty Message Bodies

Huda Qurayshi Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where outgoing Microsoft 365 emails arrive at their destination and appear in the Sent Items folder with completely blank message bodies.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Sent Emails with Empty Message Bodies

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sending emails via the Microsoft 365 Outlook desktop client or webmail.
Observed behavior: Emails successfully send, but the message bodies are entirely empty when viewed in the Sent Items folder or when opened by the recipients.

Before you start

Log in to Outlook on the web (OWA) and send a test email to determine if the blank message issue is isolated to your desktop client or if it affects your entire Microsoft 365 account.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch Message Format and Disable Outlook Add-ins

Conflicting add-ins or corrupted HTML format settings can strip the body content from outgoing emails. Changing the format and running without add-ins helps identify the culprit.

Third-party COM add-ins integrated into Outlook often interfere with the message rendering process. Switching your default message format forces the email client to rewrite the message structure, which can bypass the bug.

Change message format

In Outlook, navigate to File > Options > Mail. Under the 'Compose messages' section, change the 'Compose messages in this format' dropdown from HTML to Plain Text, and click OK. Send a test email.

Access add-in settings

If the issue persists, go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, ensure 'Manage' is set to 'COM Add-ins' and click the 'Go...' button.

Disable add-ins

Uncheck all active add-ins in the list to disable them temporarily, then click OK. Restart your Outlook client and attempt to send another test email in HTML format.

Switch Message Format and Disable Outlook Add-ins

Identify the Culprit: If disabling all add-ins fixes the issue, re-enable them one by one, restarting Outlook each time, to isolate the specific add-in causing the empty email bodies.

Solution 2

Repair Outlook Data File and Check Antivirus

Corrupted local data files (.pst or .ost) or overly aggressive security software can intercept and alter outgoing messages before they leave your outbox.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Outlook emails arriving completely blank?

Blank emails are typically caused by conflicts with Outlook COM add-ins, corrupted HTML message formatting during the drafting phase, or interference from third-party antivirus software that intercepts outgoing mail.

How do I quickly test if an add-in is causing empty message bodies?

You can launch Outlook in Safe Mode by holding the CTRL key on your keyboard while clicking the Outlook shortcut. If emails send correctly with their bodies intact in Safe Mode, an add-in is likely the root cause.

Does this empty body issue affect Outlook on the web (OWA)?

Usually, this is a local desktop client software issue. Testing your email via Outlook on the web helps determine if the problem lies with your device's installed software or a broader issue with your Microsoft 365 account routing.

Can a corrupted Outlook profile cause sent emails to lose their content?

Yes, a corrupted local profile or synchronization issues with your data file (.ost/.pst) can lead to severe message delivery errors, including lost email bodies. Creating a new Outlook profile via the Control Panel often resolves persistent formatting bugs.

Outlook & Email Problems