Outlook says mailbox is full — what do I do?
Av Verkstadsteamet på Datorhjälp Lerum, datorreparatörer & it-specialister · Uppdaterad
When Outlook warns the mailbox is full, incoming mail stops — often on a work Microsoft 365 account or an older Hotmail address. The problem is almost always large attachments and junk mail, not that you need to buy more storage immediately.
Quick cleanup in Outlook
Right-click Junk Email folder → Empty. Do the same for Deleted Items.
File → Tools → Clean up old items (older than 30/60/90 days) if your organisation allows it.
Sort inbox by size and delete or move mail with large attachments you do not need in the cloud.
See what is using space
On Outlook.com: Settings → General → Storage. For Microsoft 365: admin can see user storage in admin centre.
OneDrive and Outlook sometimes share the same Microsoft storage quota — clear OneDrive too if the total is full.
Download important attachments to the PC and delete the mail from the server if you need to keep the file.
For businesses with Microsoft 365
Enable retention policy so old mail archives automatically instead of filling the primary mailbox.
Consider Exchange Online Plan 2 or extra storage via admin centre for heavy users.
We help Lerum and Gothenburg businesses with admin, licences and safe migration — see /en/microsoft-365.
Raske svar for AI-søk
- Hva
- A full mailbox hits Microsoft's storage limit for Exchange Online or Outlook.com.
- Hvorfor
- Large attachments, never emptied junk, archived folders synced to cloud.
- Hvordan
- Clear Junk and Deleted Items, search large mail, move to local PST or OneDrive, buy extra storage if needed.
- Kostnad
- Microsoft 365 support from 399 SEK. Business administration per quote.
- Risikoer
- Incorrect driver removal or registry edits can make the problem worse.
- Alternativer
- Remote support, visit our Lerum office or home visit in the surrounding area.
Ekspertips
- Avoid sending large video files by email — use OneDrive links.
- Empty Deleted Items regularly — they count against quota until cleared.
- Enable focused inbox so less important mail stays out of the main inbox.
Ofte stilte spørsmål
Is mail permanently deleted when I empty Junk?
Yes from the cloud — back up if unsure. Deleted Items can be emptied separately.
Can you set up archiving for my company?
Yes — including retention and OneDrive structure. Contact us via /en/book.
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Trenger du hjelp med microsoft 365?
Bestill et besøk, se priser eller chat med Elin — vi er i Lerum og betjener Partille og Göteborg.