AOL not Receiving Emails | Try out These Methods to Fix

Author: Customer Service

Is your AOL inbox empty all of a sudden? Seeing AOL Not Receiving Emails?

Getting emails is kind of a big deal - you don't want to miss stuff from people you know or work. "AOL Mail not receiving emails" is a pain, but usually, you can fix it yourself with a few quick checks. This guide will show you what to do to get your email working right.

  • What's Up with AOL Not Getting Emails?
  • Check your spam and trash:** Legit emails sometimes get tossed in the wrong folders. * Go to your AOL Mail on a computer. * Dig around in your Spam and Trash folders. * If you spot any missing emails, just mark them as Not Spam.* **Is your AOL storage full?** AOL says they give you tons of space, but it's still worth a peek. * Sign in to AOL on the web. * See if you got any warnings about space. * Get rid of old emails you don't need (especially ones with attachments). * Empty your Trash to wipe them out for good.

Before you try to fix things, here's why your emails might be MIA:

  • Full storage:** Even though AOL says it's unlimited, glitches happen.* **Wrong settings:** Old or incorrect IMAP/POP settings mess things up.* **Too much spam-blocking:** Good emails get marked as junk.* **Account problems:** Something's wonky with your account's setup.* **AOL's fault:** Their servers might be having a moment.* **Blocked peeps:** You might have accidentally blocked someone.* **Forwarding screw-up:** Your emails might be going somewhere else without you knowing.
  • Ways to Fix AOL Not Getting Emails
  1. Look at your filters:** They might be sending emails to the wrong place. * Go through your current filters and see if any rules are messing up where your emails go. * In AOL Mail, hit Settings, then Filters. * When you make new filters, be careful, so you don't screw things up later. * Turn off filters that seem fishy to see if that's the problem.
  2. Check your blocked list:** You might have blocked someone by mistake. * Head to Settings, then Blocked Addresses. * Take off any addresses that shouldn't be blocked. * Double-check the whole list.
  3. Using IMAP/POP? Double-check those settings!** Wrong settings cause problems all the time. * Incoming Mail Server (IMAP): imap.aol.com Port: 993 Encryption: SSL/TLS Username: Your full AOL email address Password: Your regular password, or an app-specific one if you use 2FA.
  4. Turn off forwarding (unless you want it on):** Someone else might be getting your emails. * Ask people if they're getting bounce-back messages. * Make sure forwarding is off unless you set it up on purpose. * Go to Settings, then Forwarding. * If forwarding is on, make sure the address it's going to is right.
  5. Is AOL having issues?** Sometimes, it's on their end. * Go to Downdetector to see if others are having AOL problems. * Check AOL's social media for updates. * If there's an outage, just chill for a bit.
  6. Update your browser or email app:** Old software can cause trouble. * Update your browser to the newest version. * If you're using an email program, check for updates there, too. * Try using AOL Mail in another browser to see if that helps.
  7. Turn off antivirus/firewall for a sec:** These can sometimes block emails. * Disable your antivirus temporarily (but turn it back on later!). * Check your firewall to see if AOL Mail is being blocked. * Add AOL Mail to your security software's okay list.
  8. Re-add your AOL account:** Sometimes, a fresh start does the trick, especially if you're using an email program. * Restart your device. * Give your email app time to sync. * Remove your AOL account from your email program. * Add it back with the right settings.
  • Extra Steps If Nothing Works

If the basic stuff doesn't help, try these:

  • Try a different device:** See if you can get your AOL on another computer or phone. This tells you if it's a problem with your account or just that one device.* **Check email headers:** If you can get ahold of an email that didn't show up, look at the headers for info on why it failed to deliver.* **Ask the sender:** See if they got any error messages. Have them double-check the email address and maybe try sending from a different account.
  • How to Avoid This in the Future
  • Clean up your inbox and folders regularly.* Check your filter settings every few months.* Keep your address book current.* Use strong passwords to keep your account safe.* Keep your contact info updated in case you need to recover your account.
  • FAQ
  • Q: Why am I not getting emails from certain people?** * A: They might be blocked, their emails might be going to spam, or they might have issues on their end. Have them check for error messages. If it's taking a long time, there might be a delivery problem.* **Q: How long should emails take to arrive?** * A: Usually just a few minutes.* **Q: Could my account be hacked if I'm not getting emails?** * A: It's possible. If a hacker got in, they might have set up forwarding or changed filters. Look for anything fishy in your account settings.* **Q: Should I use IMAP or POP?** * A: IMAP is usually better because it syncs across all your devices. POP downloads emails to just one device, which can be a hassle if you use multiple devices.* **Q: How do I stop good emails from going to spam?** * A: Add people to your address book, check your spam folder regularly, and mark good emails as Not Spam.* **Q: What if nothing works?** * A: Call AOL support at 1-800-358-4860. They can check for account-specific issues.* **Q: Can I get back emails that never arrived?** * A: Sadly, no. But the sender can resend them.
  • When to Bug AOL Support

If you've tried everything and still no luck, call AOL if:

  • You think your account's been hacked.* You're missing emails from lots of people.* There are no known AOL outages.* You need help with your account settings.

You can reach AOL at 1-800-358-4860 or check their online help.

Start with the easy fixes and work your way down the list. Hopefully, you'll get your email flowing again in no time!