Outlook Error Codes

How to Fix Outlook Recall Error: Message Not Found in Recipient Mailbox

Rana Garcia Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is encountering an error stating that the message was not found in the recipient's mailbox when attempting to recall a sent email in Outlook.

How to Fix Outlook Recall Error: Message Not Found in Recipient Mailbox

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user realized a mistake in a recently sent email and is trying to use the Outlook recall feature to delete or replace the message before the recipient reads it.
Observed behavior: Outlook returns a recall failure notification stating 'Message not found in recipient mailbox,' which prevents the email from being successfully recalled.

Before you start

Before attempting a recall, verify that the recipient is within your own organization (using Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Exchange) and that they have not yet opened the email, as external or read messages cannot be recalled.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Mailbox Requirements and Retry the Recall

Check if your email meets the strict Exchange server requirements for a successful recall, and attempt the process again via the Outlook desktop client.

Message recall in Outlook relies heavily on the recipient's server environment. It generally only works if both the sender and recipient are on the same Microsoft 365 or Exchange organization. If the recipient has forwarded the email, moved it via an Inbox rule, or already read it, the recall will fail and return the 'not found' error.

Open Sent Items

Launch the Outlook desktop application and navigate to your 'Sent Items' folder from the left sidebar.

Open the specific email

Double-click the email you want to recall so that it opens in its own separate window. (The recall option is not available in the reading pane).

Initiate the recall

In the Message tab, locate the 'Move' group. Click on 'Actions' (or 'More Move Actions') and select 'Recall This Message' from the dropdown menu.

Select recall options

Choose 'Delete unread copies of this message' or 'Delete unread copies and replace with a new message'. Ensure the box for 'Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient' is checked, then click 'OK'.

Verify Mailbox Requirements and Retry the Recall

External Recipients: If you sent the email to an external domain (like Gmail, Yahoo, or a different company's server), the recall feature is not supported and will automatically fail.

Solution 2

Send a Follow-Up Correction Email

If the recall fails due to unsupported server configurations or because the email was already read, sending a polite correction is the most effective alternative.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Outlook say the message was not found during a recall?

This error typically occurs if the recipient's email system is outside your organization, if they have already opened the email, or if a rule automatically moved the message from their primary Inbox to another folder before the recall could process.

Can I recall an email sent to a Gmail or Yahoo account from Outlook?

No. The Outlook message recall feature only works when both the sender and the recipient are using Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Exchange email accounts hosted within the same organization.

How can I tell if my Outlook email recall was successful?

When you initiate the recall process, ensure you check the box that says 'Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient.' Outlook will then send an automated status report to your inbox confirming the outcome.

Can I recall a message using the Outlook web application?

Yes, Microsoft recently rolled out message recall functionality for Outlook on the web (Exchange Online). However, if you experience issues, using the classic Outlook desktop application remains the most reliable method to attempt a recall.

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