You open your inbox, but it’s strangely quiet. No notifications, no updates, not even the newsletter you always get. When Mac Mail doesn’t receive messages, it can block important communication, disrupt your workflow, and create unnecessary stress. The good news? Most of the time, the problem is easy to fix once you know where to look.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common causes and practical solutions, so you can get your inbox flowing again quickly and confidently.
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Quick Fix Checklist
If your Mac Mail is not receiving emails, try these quick steps before diving into advanced fixes:
- Restart the Mail app
- Check your Wi-Fi connection
- Look in Spam or Junk folders
- Send yourself a test email
- Verify your account settings
- Update macOS and the Mail app
If that doesn’t work, continue with the step-by-step troubleshooting below. If you’re also having trouble with sending, see our guide on Mac Mail not sending emails.
Why Mac Mail May Not Receive Emails
There are several reasons Mac Mail might not be pulling in new messages. Understanding the root cause is the first step toward solving the issue.
Internet Connection Problems
The simplest issue is often the culprit: a weak or unstable connection. If Wi-Fi drops out, Mac Mail can’t fetch new emails.
Spam, Junk, or Filters
Sometimes the email is delivered — just not where you expect it. Filters or rules may push messages into Junk, Trash, or a custom folder. It’s worth checking these folders before diving deeper.
Other Folders or Tabs
If you use Gmail, Outlook, or similar accounts in Mac Mail, messages may be sorted into Promotions, Social, or Updates tabs that Mac Mail displays as subfolders.
Incorrect Account Settings
If IMAP or POP server details are entered incorrectly, Mac Mail won’t sync properly with your provider. Even a small typo in the server address or port number can break the connection.
Incorrect server details can also cause Mac Mail not connecting to server errors.
Storage and Capacity Limits
When your email account hits its storage limit, new emails won’t arrive until you clear space. This can happen on both the server side and locally on your Mac.
Software Conflicts or Firewalls
Security tools or outdated apps can interfere with Mail’s ability to sync.
Outdated App or macOS Version
Running an old version of macOS or Mac Mail can cause compatibility problems.
Server-Side Delays or Outages
Sometimes the issue isn’t on your device at all — your provider may be experiencing temporary downtime or maintenance.
How to Fix Mac Mail When Emails Aren’t Coming Through
Let’s go step by step, starting with the easiest fixes and moving to more advanced checks.
1. Restart Mail and Refresh
- Quit the Mail app and reopen it.
- Pull down the Mailbox menu and select Get All New Mail.
- This simple reset often clears temporary syncing glitches.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
- Make sure Wi-Fi is on and connected.
- Open a browser and load a site to confirm connectivity.
3. Look in Spam, Junk, and Other Folders
- Check Junk, Trash, and custom folders for missing messages.
- Review filters and rules.
- For Gmail or Outlook accounts, expand the Promotions, Social, or Updates tabs.
4. Send Yourself a Test Email
- Use another account or device to send yourself an email.
- If it arrives in webmail but not in Mac Mail, the issue is local.
5. Test on Another Device or Browser
- Log into your account on your iPhone or webmail.
- If emails appear there but not in Mac Mail, your Mac setup is the culprit.
6. Verify Account Settings
- Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts.
- Confirm your IMAP/POP settings, port numbers, and security options.
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7. Update macOS and the Mail App
- Open System Preferences > Software Update.
- Install the latest updates.
8. Check Storage and Capacity
- Log into your provider’s webmail and check account storage.
- If it’s full, delete or archive older messages.
9. Review Firewalls or Security Software
- Some third-party firewalls or antivirus apps block Mail’s ports.
- Temporarily disable these tools and test.
10. Remove and Re-Add the Account
- Back up important data first.
- Delete the affected account from Mac Mail.
- Re-add it with the correct server details.
11. Use Connection Doctor
- In Mail, go to Window > Connection Doctor.
- Red indicators highlight exactly where the problem lies.
Troubleshooting Flow
Here’s a simple flow you can follow:
Start → Check Internet → Check Spam/Junk → Test Email → Test Another Device → Verify Settings → Update → Check Storage → Review Firewalls → Re-add Account → Use Connection Doctor
You can even bookmark this as your go-to troubleshooting sequence.
Advanced Tips for Persistent Problems
- Check Keychain Access: Delete and re-enter corrupted passwords.
- Look at Activity Monitor: High CPU/memory from Mail may signal corruption — rebuild the mailbox.
- Contact Your Provider: They may identify server-side issues.
FAQs About Mac Mail Issues
Why does email work on my iPhone but not on Mac Mail?
This usually means the account is fine, but Mac Mail has incorrect settings or a local issue.
Can a full mailbox stop new emails?
Yes. Once you hit your provider’s storage limit, no new mail can be received.
What if my provider is down?
Check their status page or try again later.
Do I need to rebuild my mailbox?
If Mail is sluggish or messages won’t load, rebuilding often helps.
Why does Mac Mail say “offline” when I’m connected?
This can happen if server ports are blocked by a firewall or if settings are wrong.
How do I reset Mac Mail to default?
Delete the preference files in ~/Library/Preferences/ and restart Mail. (Back up first.)
Can antivirus stop Mac Mail from receiving emails?
Yes. Some antivirus apps block ports 993 or 587. Temporarily disabling them often fixes the issue.
Bottom Line
When Mac Mail not receiving emails becomes a problem, the fix is usually simple: check your internet connection, look in junk folders, test with another device, and verify account settings.
If you’re tired of troubleshooting, consider switching to Canary Mail — designed for reliability, privacy, and speed.
Canary Mail combines AI assistance with end-to-end encryption, making sure you never miss a critical message again.
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