When encountering The Message Cannot Be Sent Right Now error in Outlook, users are unable to send emails, leading to frustration and potential disruptions in communication. This The Message Cannot Be Sent Right Now error in Microsoft outlook typically occurs due to various factors, including network issues, incorrect account settings, or problems with the Outlook 2021/2019 application itself.
Troubleshooting Steps to fix Outlook Error The Message Cannot Be Sent Right Now
Check your Internet Connection:
Ensure that your internet connection is stable and function properly. Try to access other websites or applications to verify the connectivity. If your internet connection is weak or unstable, contact your internet service provider for any assistance.
Verify Account Settings:
Confirm that your email account settings are correctly configured in Outlook. Incorrect settings can prevent Microsoft Outlook from sending emails. To review your account settings, follow these steps:
- Open Outlook and go to the “File” tab.
- Select “Account Settings” and then choose “Account Settings” again from the drop-down menu.
- Double-click on your email account to access its settings.
- Verify that the incoming and outgoing mail server settings, username, and password are correct.
- Contact your email service provider if you are unsure about the correct settings.
Possible Causes for The Message Cannot Be Sent Right Now error in Outlook 2021/2019
Connectivity issues:
Check your internet connection to ensure its stable and working properly. A weak or intermittent connection can prevent Outlook from sending messages.
Outgoing mail server settings:
Verify that your outgoing mail server settings are configured correctly. If the settings are incorrect or outdated, you may encounter issues while sending emails. Contact your email service provider or IT department for the correct settings.
Email account authentication:
Make sure that your email account credentials (username and password) are entered correctly in the Outlook account settings. Incorrect credentials can prevent Outlook from sending messages.
More Quick Steps to Fix Outlook Error The Message Cannot Be Sent Right Now
Check SMTP Server Settings:
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is responsible for sending outgoing emails. Incorrect SMTP server settings can trigger the error message. To review your SMTP server settings:
- Go to the “File” tab in Outlook.
- Select “Account Settings” and then choose “Account Settings” again from the drop-down menu.
- Double-click on your email account and click on “More Settings.”
- Navigate to the “Outgoing Server” tab and ensure that the settings match your email service provider’s recommendations.
Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall:
In some cases, third-party antivirus or firewall software may interfere with Outlook’s ability to send emails. Temporarily disable these applications and attempt to send an email again. If the error disappears, consider adjusting the antivirus/firewall settings or contacting the software vendor for further assistance.
Update Outlook:
Outdated or corrupted Outlook versions can lead to various issues, including “The Message Cannot Be Sent Right Now” error. Ensure that you have the latest updates installed. To update Outlook 2021/2019, follow these steps:
- Open Outlook and go to “File” tab.
- Select the “Office Account” and then click on “Update Options.”
- Choose to “Update Now” to install any available updates.
Conclusion:
The Message Cannot Be Sent Right Now error in Outlook can be frustrating, but with these troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the issue and resume sending emails smoothly. If the problem persists, it may be helpful to contact your email service provider or Microsoft support for further assistance.

The reason why you get the error is because Outlook is not authenticating your account on the server while sending it, so the outgoing mail server rejects the message.
simply, access Outlook in your browser and open the Settings page. From there you should find the option to verify your account. Once your account is verified, this error message should be completely resolved and you’ll be able to send emails once again.
A simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) server is a communication protocol that enables you to send and receive emails. Without an SMTP server, you can’t send your email to recipients.
If Outlook is full, you may also encounter the error: The message cannot be sent right now. Deleted emails will be temporarily stored in the Deleted Items folder. To permanently deleted them, you should right-click the Deleted Items folder and select Empty Folder.
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