You’ve got a batch of emails you’re waiting on, but they haven’t shown up in your inbox yet. Before you panic, it’s time to learn how to check spam folder in Outlook. This simple skill can save you from missing important messages, from job offers to order confirmations.
Your spam folder is where Outlook sends emails it thinks are junk. Sometimes, legit emails end up there by mistake. Knowing how to check it quickly is a must for anyone using Outlook.
In this guide, we’ll show you every method to find and manage your spam folder. We’ll cover the desktop app, web version, and mobile app. Let’s get your missing emails back.
How To Check Spam Folder In Outlook
First, let’s cover the most common way to check your spam folder. This works for Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 on Windows. The steps are almost identical across versions.
Using The Desktop App For Windows
Open Outlook on your computer. Look at the left-hand navigation pane. This is where you see your folders like Inbox, Sent Items, and Drafts.
Scroll down until you see a folder named “Junk Email.” That’s the spam folder. Click on it once to open it.
If you don’t see “Junk Email,” your folder list might be collapsed. Look for a small arrow or triangle next to your mailbox name. Click it to expand all folders.
Still can’t find it? Try this: at the bottom of the folder list, click “More” or “More Folders.” This reveals hidden folders. “Junk Email” should appear.
Once you open the folder, you’ll see all emails marked as spam. They are sorted by date, with the newest on top. You can scroll through to find what you need.
Using Outlook On The Web
If you use Outlook in a browser, the process is slightly different. Log in to Outlook.com or your work’s webmail. The layout is cleaner but works the same way.
On the left side, you’ll see your folder list. Look for a folder called “Junk Email.” It’s usually near the bottom, below “Deleted Items.”
Click “Junk Email” to open it. All spam messages appear in the main window. You can preview each email by clicking on it.
If the folder is hidden, click the three dots (…) at the bottom of the folder list. Select “Folders” from the menu. Then find “Junk Email” in the expanded list.
On the web version, you can also use the search bar. Type “in:junk” and press Enter. This shows only emails from the spam folder. It’s a fast shortcut.
Using The Outlook Mobile App
On your phone, the Outlook app is a bit different. Open the app on iOS or Android. You’ll see your inbox first.
Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner. This opens the folder list. Scroll down until you see “Junk Email.”
Tap on it to view your spam. On mobile, the folder might be called “Junk” or “Spam.” It depends on your email provider.
If you use a Gmail account through Outlook, the folder might be labeled “Spam” instead. Don’t worry—it’s the same thing. Just tap it to open.
One tip: on Android, you can also swipe right on your inbox to reveal the folder list. This saves a tap. On iOS, the gesture is the same.
Why Emails Go To Spam And How To Prevent It
Understanding why emails land in spam helps you avoid it. Outlook uses filters to decide what’s junk. These filters look at sender reputation, content, and your past actions.
Common reasons include: you never replied to the sender, the email has too many links, or the sender is new. Sometimes, it’s just a mistake.
To prevent this, add important senders to your contacts. Right-click an email from them and select “Add to Outlook Contacts.” This tells Outlook to trust them.
Also, avoid marking emails from trusted sources as spam. If you do, Outlook learns to block them. Instead, move them to your inbox manually.
Another trick: use the “Not Junk” feature. When you find a legit email in spam, right-click it and choose “Junk” > “Not Junk.” This trains Outlook.
Checking Spam Folder Regularly
Make it a habit to check your spam folder once a week. Important emails can get lost there. Set a reminder on your phone if needed.
In the desktop app, you can add the Junk Email folder to your Favorites. Right-click it and select “Add to Favorites.” It will appear at the top of your folder list.
On the web version, you can pin the folder. Click the star icon next to “Junk Email.” It moves to the top of your list for easy access.
On mobile, you can’t pin folders, but you can check quickly. Open the app, tap the menu, and look for “Junk Email.” It only takes a few seconds.
How To Recover Emails From Spam
Once you find a missing email in spam, you need to move it to your inbox. This is simple and takes one click.
Moving Emails To Inbox On Desktop
Open the Junk Email folder. Find the email you want. Right-click on it. From the menu, select “Junk” > “Not Junk.” The email moves to your inbox automatically.
You can also drag the email from the spam folder to your Inbox folder. Just click and hold the email, then drop it on “Inbox” in the folder list.
For multiple emails, hold the Ctrl key and click each one. Then right-click and choose “Not Junk.” All selected emails move at once.
After moving it, open the email and reply to it. This tells Outlook the sender is safe. Future emails from them should go to your inbox.
Moving Emails To Inbox On Web
In Outlook.com, open the Junk Email folder. Check the box next to the email. Then click the “Not junk” button at the top of the screen.
The email moves to your inbox instantly. You can also right-click the email and select “Mark as not junk.” Both methods work.
To move multiple emails, check the box on each one. Then click “Not junk.” All of them move together. It’s fast and easy.
Moving Emails To Inbox On Mobile
Open the Junk Email folder in the app. Tap and hold the email you want. A menu appears. Select “Move to Inbox” or “Not Junk.”
On iOS, you can also swipe left on the email. Tap the “Not Junk” button that appears. On Android, swipe right to reveal the same option.
For multiple emails, tap the circle icon next to each one. Then tap the “Not junk” icon at the bottom. All selected emails move.
How To Empty Your Spam Folder
Spam folders fill up fast. Outlook automatically deletes emails older than 30 days. But you can empty it manually to free up space.
Emptying On Desktop
Open the Junk Email folder. At the top of the folder, click “Empty Folder.” A confirmation message appears. Click “Yes” to delete all spam.
You can also select all emails by pressing Ctrl+A. Then press the Delete key. This removes them permanently.
Be careful: once deleted, you can’t recover them. Check for any legit emails first. Then empty the folder.
Emptying On Web
In Outlook.com, open the Junk Email folder. Click the three dots (…) at the top. Select “Empty folder.” Confirm by clicking “OK.”
Another method: click the checkmark box at the top to select all. Then click the trash icon. All emails are deleted.
On the web, you can also set up automatic cleanup. Go to Settings > Mail > Junk email. Choose how often to delete old spam.
Emptying On Mobile
Open the Junk Email folder in the app. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner. Select “Empty folder.” Confirm the action.
On iOS, you can also tap “Edit” at the top. Then tap “Select All.” Finally, tap “Delete.” On Android, the process is similar.
Remember: emptying spam on mobile also deletes it from the server. It’s gone for good. Double-check before you do it.
Common Problems And Fixes
Sometimes, checking your spam folder doesn’t go smoothly. Here are common issues and how to fix them.
Junk Email Folder Missing
If you can’t find the Junk Email folder, it might be hidden. In the desktop app, go to View > Folder Pane. Make sure it’s set to “Normal.”
On the web, check if you have multiple accounts. The spam folder might be under a different email. Switch accounts in the top-right corner.
On mobile, try restarting the app. Close it completely and reopen. The folder should appear. If not, reinstall the app.
Emails Not Showing In Spam
If you think an email is in spam but can’t find it, use the search. In the desktop app, click the search bar. Type “in:junk” and the sender’s name.
On the web, use the same search. Type “in:junk” and press Enter. This shows all spam emails. You can also filter by date.
On mobile, tap the search icon. Type “junk” and the sender’s name. The app will show results from the spam folder.
Spam Folder Not Updating
Sometimes, the spam folder doesn’t show new emails. In the desktop app, press F9 to send/receive all folders. This forces an update.
On the web, refresh the page. Click the refresh icon or press F5. New spam emails should appear.
On mobile, pull down on the screen to refresh. The folder updates with any new messages.
How To Whitelist Senders To Avoid Spam
Whitelisting means telling Outlook to always trust a sender. This keeps their emails out of spam. It’s easy to do.
Adding To Safe Senders List
In the desktop app, go to Home > Junk > Junk Email Options. Click the “Safe Senders” tab. Type the email address or domain. Click “Add.”
On the web, go to Settings > Mail > Junk email. Under “Safe senders and domains,” add the address. Click “Save.”
On mobile, you can’t directly add to safe senders. Instead, move an email from spam to inbox. Outlook learns to trust that sender.
Adding Contacts To Safe Senders
Outlook automatically trusts people in your contacts. To add someone, open their email. Right-click their name and select “Add to Outlook Contacts.”
On the web, open the email. Click the sender’s name. Then click “Add to contacts.” Fill in the details and save.
On mobile, tap the sender’s name at the top of the email. Then tap “Add to contacts.” This works for both iOS and Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Find My Spam Folder In Outlook?
Look for a folder called “Junk Email” in the left navigation pane. On the web, it’s under the folder list. On mobile, tap the menu and scroll down.
Why Did My Email Go To Spam In Outlook?
Outlook’s filters decide based on sender reputation, content, and your past actions. Common reasons include too many links, no previous replies, or a new sender.
Can I Recover Deleted Spam Emails In Outlook?
No, once you empty the spam folder, emails are gone permanently. Check carefully before deleting. You can recover from the Deleted Items folder if you moved them there first.
How Do I Stop Outlook From Sending Emails To Spam?
Add the sender to your contacts or safe senders list. Also, mark their emails as “Not Junk” when they appear in spam. This trains Outlook to trust them.
Is The Spam Folder The Same As Junk Folder In Outlook?
Yes, “Junk Email” and “Spam” mean the same thing in Outlook. The folder is called “Junk Email” in most versions, but some providers use “Spam.”
Final Tips For Managing Spam In Outlook
Check your spam folder regularly, especially if you’re expecting an important email. Set a weekly reminder if you tend to forget.
Use the “Not Junk” feature to train Outlook. Every time you move an email from spam to inbox, you improve the filter. Over time, fewer legit emails get caught.
Empty your spam folder once a month. This keeps your account clean and prevents storage issues. But always scan for legit emails first.
If you use multiple devices, check spam on each one. Outlook syncs across devices, but sometimes delays happen. A quick check on your phone can save you.
Finally, don’t ignore the spam folder. It’s a tool, not a trash can. With a few clicks, you can recover lost emails and keep your inbox organized. Now you know how to check spam folder in Outlook, so you’ll never miss an important message again.