How to Fix Sent Items not Showing in Outlook problem?

Outlook is one of the most widely used email applications across the globe. When you send emails or attachments to anyone in Outlook, by default it is saved in the Outlook sent folder. However, sometimes you are not able to find those emails or attachments in the sent folder.

In this article, we will be discussing what might be the reasons why Outlook is not showing sent emails. As well as why sent folders are missing in Outlook, we will also discuss how to recover sent items in various versions of Outlook including Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, and even Outlook 2021.  In addition to that, we have also provided a few quick tips to never lose sent items and data from the sent folder.

Why is my Sent Mail not Showing in Outlook?

Below are a few reasons which cause sent emails not to show up in the sent folder in Outlook.

1. One of the main reasons why sent items are not getting reflected in the sent folder is that the mail you have drafted and sent is not yet sent due to the abrupt closing of the Outlook application.
2. When the save copies of messages in the sent item folder option is disabled in Outlook.
3. When the storage space is full due to old and unwanted emails, the most recently sent items might not show up in the sent folder.

Now that you know the reasons for sent items not reflecting in the sent folder let's deep dive to understand how to resolve the issue of sent emails not showing in Outlook.

6 Easy Ways to Fix Sent Items Not Showing in Outlook

1. Delete Unwanted Sent Items from Sent Folder
2. Select Alternative Folder for Storing Sent Emails
3. Enable Save Copies of Emails in Sent Folder Option
4. Turn off Cached Exchange Mode
5. Create a New Outlook Profile
6. Repair Corrupt Outlook Profile

1. Delete Old or Unwanted Sent Emails/ Messages from Sent Folder

Old or unwanted emails which are no longer needed or relevant that you have sent might be consuming a lot of storage space in the sent items folder. This might possibly be the reason for most of the recently sent emails are not reflected in the sent items folder.

The easy way to fix the problem of Outlook not saving sent emails is to delete old, unwanted, or irrelevant emails and messages from the sent folder in Outlook.

2. Select Alternative Folder for Storing Sent Emails

By selecting or creating an alternative folder to save sent items.  In case your sent messages are not showing up in Outlook sent folder. You can find them stored here.

Follow the steps mentioned below to select the alternative folder.

Step 1: Launch the Outlook application.

Step 2: Click on the New Email tab, and a new window will pop up on your screen, Click on Options. Click on Save Sent Items to Option. Select Other Folder Option.

Step 3: A new window will appear on your screen. Click New.

Step 4: A new window will appear on your screen. Select a name for your new folder and select folder items (Mail and post items) that you want to store in that folder. And click ok.

A new folder gets created where your sent items get stored automatically.

3. Enable Save Copies of Emails in Sent Items Folder Option

When you enable save copies of sent items folder it means that you have selected the option to always save a copy of any items that you send (mails, messages, attachments), etc.

Follow the below explained steps to enable save copies of sent items- Outlook 2016 and Later Version:

Step 1: Launch the Outlook application.

Step 2: Click on File, on top. Click on Options.

Step 3: Click on Mail. Scroll down and go to the save messages section and under the save messages section. check save copies of messages in the sent items folder option, Click OK

For Outlook 2010: 

• Go to Outlook and select Options from the File tab.
• Now select Mail and select the checkbox Save copies of messages in the Sent Items folder option and select OK.

For Outlook 2007:

• Go to Outlook and select Options from the File tab.
• Select Emails options under the Preferences tab.
• Select the checkbox Save copies of messages in the Sent Items folder option and choose OK.

If you are using an Exchange Account try disabling cached exchange mode Which we will discuss in detail in the next section.

If you are using an Exchange Account try disabling cached exchange mode Which we will discuss in detail in the next section.

4. Disable Cached Exchange Mode

Cached Exchange Mode is responsible for giving you access to emails and other tasks in Outlook even when your system is not connected to the internet, it saves these files in your system’s hard drive in OST file format. When this OST file gets oversized it corrupts your mail, mailbox, files, folders, etc. We will discuss how to repair corrupt files and profiles in the next section.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to turn the cached mode off.

Step 1: Launch the Outlook application, Click on the File option.

Step 2: Choose Account Settings, Click on Account Settings.

Step 3: Select the account and click on the Change tab.

Step 4: Under offline settings uncheck the use Cached Mode

Step 5: Restart the Outlook application so that all the changes made will be applied.

Generally enabling Cached Exchange mode is a good thing as it lets you work even in case of low or no internet connectivity. Since it stores these files in an OST file format on your hard disk. At times OST file gets oversized and might get corrupt.

Since we just talked about how oversized OST files can Corrupt your Outlook Profile. Please continue reading to know how to fix a corrupt Outlook profile.

5. Recreating Outlook Profile

Your outlook profile could get corrupt due to many reasons. corrupt PST files, abrupt shutdown of Outlook application during a power failure, Outlook crash, and oversized OST files obviously.

It's always good to have a backup of all your important Outlook data. Since your Outlook profile is corrupt, which means you can’t access your data. In case you have recently taken a backup, creating a new Outlook profile is a good option and in case you don’t have a backup kindly refer next section to find out how to fix a corrupt Outlook profile, which is the main reason why you can't see sent emails in Outlook.

Follow the Below Steps to Create a New Outlook Profile.

Step 1: Launch the Outlook application, Click on File, Click on Account settings, and select manage profiles.

Step 2: The mail setup dialogue will pop up on your screen. Click on Show Profiles.

Step 3: A list of all profile(s) that are currently set up will show up on your screen. Click on Add option to add a new profile. Under when starting Microsoft Outlook, use this profile: Check the prompt for a profile to be used option, Click OK.

Step 4: Add Account dialogue box will appear on your screen, Enter your name and email account and password for your new profile, and click Next.

Step 5: Close and Restart Outlook.

Note: You can configure multiple email accounts in one single Outlook profile, but we suggest you add one email account in an Outlook profile. If you want to use another email account create a new Outlook profile.

Remove Old Corrupt Profile.

Launch Outlook > Click on File > Account Settings > Manage profile > Show Profile > Select the profile you want to delete > Remove

If none of the methods have worked out well for you then repairing the Corrupt profile is the only option left if you don’t have a backup of your Outlook data. There are two methods using which you can repair minor corruptions in your Outlook profile.

In case your Outlook data file (OST or PST file) is extremely damaged or severely corrupt then we highly recommend you repair your OST and PST file using a powerful Outlook PST Repair tool.

Alternative Method: Follow the steps below if you are unable to find the Sent Emails

• From the menu, choose File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
• Choose your email account, then click Change.
• Set the Mail to stay offline slider for a longer time interval.
• The item has been removed. Examine your Trash or Deleted Items folders.

If Outlook is not configured to maintain a copy of sent items, you may be unable to view your sent email messages.

• Choose File > Options > Mail.
• Scroll down to Save messages and check the box for Save copies of messages in the Sent Items folder.

6. Repair Existing Corrupt Outlook Profile to Fix Outlook Sent Emails Missing Problem

Sometimes a corrupt Outlook Profile will lead to missing Sent Items. If you are looking for easy and quick recovery of the Sent Items then we recommend you utilize an advanced PST Repair tool by Remo. 

Remo Repair Outlook PST Software built with easy user interface which can help you fix corrupted Outlook Data File (PST). The tool is incredibly compatible with all the Outlook versions like latest 2021, 2019, and other older versions 2016, 2013, and 2010. Additionally the tool can also recover deleted and lost Sent Items, emails, along with attachments, and other data items can be recovered using this tool. Download the tool now.  Download the tool now and restore all deleted or missing sent emails within a few minutes.

How To Recover Sent Items in Outlook?

Quick Tips you can use to Never Lose Sent Items From the Sent Folder in Outlook Again.

• Always make sure that the drafted email is properly sent.
• Always refrain from abruptly closing the Outlook application while you are doing a few tasks in Outlook such as composing or sending emails etc.
• Take a regular backup of all your important Outlook data which can be used in case of Outlook crash, Outlook profile corruption, or data loss.
• Delete all your old, unwanted emails and attachments which increase storage space on your computer. This also reduces the chance of your OST file getting oversized which ultimately leads to your Outlook profile getting corrupt.
• In case of severe corruption or data, loss use the Remo Outlook Repair tool.

Note: If you are curious to know how to make tedious tasks more fun in Outlook. Then we recommend you read this article on how to use Quick Parts in Outlook to make everyday tasks more effective.

Conclusion:

In this article, we have discussed what causes your sent emails, messages, attachments, and other items to not show up in your send folder and also 6 quick and easy ways you can use to resolve sent items not showing in Outlook problem and we have also shown few tips which you can use to never face missing sent items or folder in Outlook again.

Feel free to drop your question or queries down below, and do let us know if this article was helpful in solving issues of sent items or sending folders missing in Outlook.

Frequently Asked Question