How to Fix Apple Mail Not Receiving Emails? – Here’s How to Fix It

Ritu Roy | fix How to's mac os Software Technology | 4 minutes read | Modified on: 23-06-2025
Fix Apple Mail Not Receiving Emails

Are you frustrated because Apple Mail isn’t receiving your emails? This problem can disrupt your workflow and cause you to miss important messages. When expected emails don’t arrive and you’re unaware of it, it’s essential to identify and fix the root cause quickly. This guide offers a step-by-step method to diagnose and resolve issues preventing Apple Mail on macOS from receiving emails.

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Understanding the Problem: Apple Mail Not Receiving Emails

Many Mac users encounter the annoying issue where Apple Mail stops receiving new emails or the messages simply don’t show up in the inbox. This can lead to missed communications, workflow interruptions, and potentially losing vital information.

The reasons behind this problem can vary widely. It might be something as simple as a connectivity glitch or slow performance in Apple Mail. Alternatively, more complex issues like incorrect account settings or mail server problems could be to blame.

To fix this, it’s important to first understand whether the issue is isolated to Apple Mail itself or if it’s related to your email account or server. This article will help you pinpoint the cause and walk you through the necessary troubleshooting steps to get your emails flowing back into your inbox.

Why Mac Mail Might Not Be Receiving Emails & How to Fix It

If you’re experiencing issues with Apple Mail not receiving emails, there are several possible causes and corresponding solutions. Here is a detailed guide to assist you in troubleshooting and fixing the issue:

Verify Your Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is essential for Apple Mail to sync and receive messages. Start by checking if your Mac is connected to the internet. Launch a web browser and attempt to load a webpage. If pages don’t load, troubleshoot your internet connection first before continuing.

Review Your Email Account Settings

Incorrect login credentials can prevent emails from arriving. Verify your password and email address one more time. Also, review settings such as allowed senders or domains to ensure incoming emails aren’t being blocked.

Check the Spam Folder

Emails may sometimes be mistakenly flagged as spam. Look in your Spam or Junk folder to see if your missing emails are there. If you find them, mark those messages as “Not Spam” to ensure future emails land in your inbox.

Remove and Re-add Your Email Account

Sometimes, simply removing your email account from Apple Mail and adding it back can fix syncing issues:

  • Open Mail and go to Preferences from the menu bar.
  • Click the Accounts tab.
  • Select the problematic account and click the (-) button to remove it. Confirm when prompted.
  • Click the (+) button to add the account again.
  • Send a test email to verify that messages are now arriving

Check the Spam Folder

Emails may sometimes be mistakenly flagged as spam. Look in your Spam or Junk folder to see if your missing emails are there. If you find them, mark those messages as “Not Spam” to ensure future emails land in your inbox.

Examine Email Filters

Email filters automatically sort your messages, but they can sometimes redirect incoming emails away from your inbox or even delete them. Check your filters or rules and adjust or disable any that might be causing emails to disappear.

Verify Server Settings

Incorrect server settings can block emails from being received. To check:

  • Open Mail and go to Preferences > Accounts.
  • Select the email account that’s having issues.
  • Look at the Incoming Mail Server and Outgoing Mail Server settings.
  • Confirm the server addresses, username, and password are all correct.
  • Verify the port numbers for both incoming and outgoing servers.
  • Save any changes and try sending/receiving emails again.

Update Apple Mail and macOS

Software bugs can cause issues with email delivery. Make sure your Mac and Apple Mail app are up to date:

  • Click the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences).
  • Check for available updates.
  • If updates are found, click Update Now and follow the prompts.
  • After updating, restart your Mac.
  • Open Apple Mail and check if your emails are coming through properly.

Following these steps should help you identify and fix the reasons why Apple Mail is not receiving emails. If problems persist, you may need to contact your email provider or Apple support for further assistance.

Advanced Solution to Resolve Apple Mail Issues

If the standard troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the problem, consider using an advanced approach by transferring your important emails in batches using an Apple Mail Converter tool. This utility allows you to securely back up your emails or migrate them to another email client of your choice, such as moving from Apple Mail to Gmail based on your preferences.

For additional guidance, you can refer to resources like: How to Backup Mac Mail to an External Hard Drive.

Conclusion

In this article, we have covered multiple effective methods to fix the issue of Apple Mail not receiving emails. Problems can range from simple causes like internet connectivity issues or incorrect email account settings to more complex factors. With this comprehensive guide, you now have the knowledge to troubleshoot and resolve why Mac Mail is not receiving emails in your inbox.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why am I not receiving emails on Apple Mail?

A: Common reasons include poor internet connection, incorrect account settings, or emails being filtered into the spam folder.

Q: Can a nearly full mailbox prevent me from receiving new emails?

A: Yes. If your mailbox is full, Apple Mail will stop receiving new messages. To fix this, you can delete emails in batches to free up space.