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How to Stop Unexpected SharePoint and Microsoft Lists Notification Emails

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to stop receiving unwanted notification emails originating from Microsoft Lists or SharePoint environments.

How to Stop Unexpected SharePoint and Microsoft Lists Notification Emails

Product: Microsoft SharePoint and Lists
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing email alerts and notifications in a Microsoft 365 collaborative workspace to prevent inbox clutter.
Observed behavior: Users continue receiving unexpected notification messages even after disabling some known rules, due to hidden alerts, flows, or mailbox settings.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary permissions to manage alerts and rules within the specific SharePoint site or Microsoft List, as some settings may require owner or administrator access.

Solution 1Recommended

Review and Disable SharePoint Alerts and List Rules

This covers the most common sources of unexpected emails, which are direct list alerts and built-in SharePoint rules.

SharePoint and Microsoft Lists have native alert features that can notify you when items change. Often, users set up an alert and forget about it, or multiple alerts are active simultaneously.

Navigate to the List or Site

Open the specific SharePoint site or Microsoft List that is generating the unexpected email notifications.

Access Alert Management

Click the ellipsis (...) or look for the 'Automate' menu on the top command bar, then select 'Manage my alerts' or 'Alert me' to view all your active subscriptions.

Delete Unwanted Alerts

Select the checkboxes next to any active alerts you no longer wish to receive, and click 'Delete Selected Alerts'.

Check Built-in Rules

Go to 'Automate' > 'Rules' > 'Manage rules' to verify if any specific conditional rules are triggering the emails, and toggle them off if necessary.

Review and Disable SharePoint Alerts and List Rules

Multiple Sources: Disabling one known rule may not remove other active notification sources. You must check all potential rule lists.

Solution 2

Check Power Automate Flows and Mailbox Rules

If native alerts are disabled but emails persist, the issue might stem from automated flows or Outlook rules forwarding messages.

Solution 3

Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

When all user-accessible settings have been checked and notifications still arrive, administrative intervention is required.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I still getting emails after turning off 'Alert Me' in SharePoint?

You might still receive emails if a Power Automate flow, a custom Microsoft List rule, or an Exchange mailbox rule is active. Disabling one alert doesn't automatically turn off other separate notification sources managed outside of the immediate list.

Can someone else subscribe me to SharePoint alerts without my knowledge?

Yes, SharePoint site administrators and owners have the ability to subscribe other users to alerts. You will need to manage these from the 'Manage my alerts' section or request the administrator to remove your email from the distribution list.

How do I find out which Power Automate flow is sending me emails?

Check the sender address and content of the notification email. If it comes from 'Microsoft PowerApps and Power Automate', log into the Power Automate portal, review your active flows under 'My flows', and check the run history corresponding to the exact time you received the email.

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