License & Subscription Issues

Fix Microsoft 365 Storage Still Showing 5 GB in Outlook After Upgrade

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user purchased a 1 TB Microsoft 365 storage upgrade, but Outlook continues to display a 5 GB limit and shows a storage full error across both the web and desktop applications.

Product: Outlook / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Upgrading Microsoft 365 subscription storage to resolve an Outlook full inbox limitation.
Observed behavior: The Outlook storage quota remains stuck at 5 GB and displays a full warning even after purchasing a 1 TB upgrade and waiting over 24 hours.

Before you start

Ensure that you are logged into Outlook with the exact same Microsoft account used to purchase the Microsoft 365 storage upgrade.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact Microsoft Online Support to Sync Subscription

If more than 24 to 48 hours have passed and Outlook still shows 5 GB, you need to contact Microsoft Support to manually refresh your subscription quota.

Subscription changes and storage upgrades typically arrive within 24 hours but can sometimes take up to 48 hours to reflect on Microsoft's servers. If you have waited this period and your Outlook is still blocked by the 5 GB free limit, the sync process may have stalled.

Sign in to your Microsoft Account

Go to the official Microsoft account portal in your web browser and sign in using the personal Microsoft account that was used to purchase the 1 TB subscription.

Navigate to your subscriptions

Click on 'Services & subscriptions', then choose 'Microsoft 365 and Office'. Next, click on 'Manage my subscription' to verify your active 1 TB plan.

Contact Support

Scroll down or access the help section to contact Microsoft Online Support regarding your order. Explain that your Outlook mailbox is still capped at 5 GB despite the 1 TB Microsoft 365 upgrade.

Account Verification: Always double-check that you haven't accidentally purchased the storage upgrade on a secondary or different email account.

Solution 2

Wait for Server Propagation

Allow sufficient time for Microsoft's cloud servers to process and apply your new storage limits across Outlook and OneDrive.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Productivity Experience

Tired of complicated subscription syncing issues and unexpected storage limits? WPS Office offers a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy seamless document creation and editing without worrying about delayed subscription updates.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions for a quick, lightweight installation.
3. Open existing files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files with perfect formatting compatibility.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Free to use with a comprehensive suite of essential features for daily document tasks.Lightweight installation that doesn't consume excessive system resources.Built-in cloud features to easily store, manage, and share your productivity files.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Outlook storage still full after buying more space?

Microsoft 365 storage upgrades can take between 24 and 48 hours to update across all servers. If you recently purchased the upgrade, you may need to wait a little longer and then sign out and sign back into your Outlook application to force a refresh.

How can I check my current Outlook storage usage?

In Outlook on the web, click the Settings (gear) icon in the top right, navigate to 'General', and select 'Storage'. This settings page displays your current mailbox usage, a breakdown of large files, and your total available quota.

Does upgrading Microsoft 365 storage apply to both OneDrive and Outlook?

Yes, purchasing a Microsoft 365 subscription provides total cloud storage (e.g., 1 TB) that is shared across OneDrive, Outlook attachments, and other Microsoft services. However, Outlook mailboxes have their own specific internal limits (usually 50 GB or 100 GB depending on the specific premium plan) within that ecosystem.

Login & Account Issues