Delivery problems
Why are my emails being blocked or delayed by Microsoft/Hotmail?
There are several potential reasons for Microsoft delivery issues. Here's how to diagnose and fix them:
First, check your metrics in Email Signals:
If your bounce rate is above 2%, you'll need to clean your lists
If spam complaints are above 0.1%, review your content and opt-in practices
Look at your delayed rates to Microsoft domains
Check Message Events for specific Microsoft bounce codes
[optional with Inbox Tracker] Review reputation using SNDS or GPT
Next, review any recent changes:
Have you sent more email than usual?
Did you change your email content?
Are you mailing to new lists?
Did you modify your authentication settings?
To resolve the issue:
Verify your authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) in Email's Domains section
Remove inactive subscribers (no engagement for 6+ months)
Stop sending to bounced addresses
Process unsubscribes immediately
Keep your sending volume consistent
Include clear unsubscribe links
Use clear subject lines
Include your physical mailing address
Contact Email Support if:
You've completed all these steps
Your metrics are within normal ranges
Issues continue for more than 48 hours
You see unusual bounce codes
You need SNDS data for your dedicated IPs
Most blocks clear automatically within 24-48 hours if you follow good sending practices.