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How to Reset Outlook Password When Mailbox is Full
Question details
The user is unable to receive the Outlook password-reset email because their mailbox has reached its storage limit.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to reset an account password while having insufficient mailbox storage to receive the verification email.
- Observed behavior
- The password-reset message is not delivered due to the mailbox being full and unable to receive new incoming emails.
Verify if you have access to your Microsoft account via an alternative trusted device or if you have another verification method linked to your account before attempting to clear space.
Free Up Mailbox Space to Receive the Reset Email
Clear out unnecessary emails and empty your trash folders so your inbox can resume receiving messages, including the password reset code.
If you are still logged into Outlook on a mobile device or desktop app, you can manually delete emails to free up server space. Once enough space is available, the Microsoft system will allow new emails to be delivered.
Navigate to your Inbox, sort your emails by size, and delete unneeded messages with large attachments.
Right-click on the 'Deleted Items' folder and select 'Empty Folder'. Repeat this process for the 'Junk Email' folder to permanently erase these items from your storage.
Allow a few minutes for the Microsoft servers to update your storage quota status.
Return to the Microsoft account recovery page and request a new password-reset email. It should now successfully arrive in your inbox.
Use an Alternative Verification Method
If you cannot access your mailbox to clear space, use a different recovery option linked to your Microsoft account to reset the password.
Need a lightweight office suite? Try WPS Office
While you are troubleshooting your Outlook account, consider switching to WPS Office for your document management. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that lets you create, view, and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without worrying about expensive subscriptions or heavy storage requirements.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open and edit files: Launch WPS Office to immediately open your existing Microsoft Office documents and continue working seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for Outlook to recognize freed up space?
It usually takes a few minutes for the Microsoft servers to synchronize and recognize the newly available storage space, but in some rare instances, it can take up to a few hours for full functionality to be restored.
What happens to emails sent to me while my mailbox was full?
Emails sent to a full mailbox are typically rejected and bounced back to the sender with an undeliverable notification. They will not automatically appear once you clear space; the automated system or sender must issue a new message.
How can I check my Outlook storage limit?
In Outlook on the web, click the Settings (gear) icon, navigate to General, and then select Storage to view a detailed breakdown of your mailbox usage and available limits.
