How to Fix Cannot Add Attachments in Outlook Due to Full Storage
Question details
The user is unable to add file attachments to emails in Microsoft Outlook because their associated Microsoft account storage has reached its maximum capacity.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to attach a document or file to an outgoing email in Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- Outlook blocks the user from attaching files and displays a storage limit warning, preventing the email from being sent with the attachment.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials handy, as you will need to access your OneDrive online account via a web browser to manage and clear your storage.
Clear OneDrive and Outlook Storage Space
Free up space in your Microsoft account to remove the storage restriction and allow Outlook to process file attachments again.
Microsoft pools your storage limit across OneDrive, Outlook.com, and other Microsoft 365 apps. When this shared storage limit is reached, Outlook will restrict you from sending or receiving messages containing attachments.
To resolve this, you must permanently delete unnecessary files from your cloud storage and email account.
Open your web browser, sign in to OneDrive.com with your Microsoft account, and click the gear icon to open Settings. From there, select Options and navigate to Manage Storage to view your available space.
Review your stored files and delete any large documents, photos, or videos that you no longer need to free up cloud storage space.
Open your Outlook mailbox, sort your emails by 'Size', and permanently delete old emails or messages that contain large file attachments.
Navigate to the Recycle Bin in OneDrive and the Deleted Items folder in Outlook, and empty both to ensure the storage space is fully recovered.
Close the Outlook application completely, reopen it, and attempt to draft a new email and attach your file to confirm the issue is resolved.
Experience a Lightweight and Hassle-Free Office Suite
If Microsoft storage constraints and Outlook attachment errors are interrupting your workflow, consider trying WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible suite for all your document needs without the strict background syncing constraints that tie up your email capacity.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the straightforward on-screen prompts to complete the setup.
- 3. Open existing documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) without any format conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my OneDrive storage affect my Outlook attachments?
Microsoft utilizes a shared storage quota that spans across OneDrive, Outlook.com, and Microsoft 365 apps. If your OneDrive reaches its maximum capacity, your overall Microsoft account storage is considered full, which blocks Outlook from processing new attachments.
What is the maximum file attachment size limit in Outlook?
By default, the Outlook desktop application and Outlook.com allow a maximum combined file attachment size of 20 MB per email. For larger files, you must upload them to a cloud storage service and share a link instead.
Can I bypass the Outlook storage limit without deleting my files?
To bypass the storage limit without deleting your existing files or emails, you will need to purchase an upgraded Microsoft 365 subscription that provides a larger storage quota for OneDrive and Outlook.
How can I quickly find emails with large attachments in Outlook?
In your Outlook inbox, click on the 'Filter' or 'Sort' option at the top of your message list and select 'Size'. This will display the largest emails at the top, allowing you to easily identify and delete messages with heavy attachments.
