How to Block a Sender in Microsoft Outlook on Any Device

To block someone in Outlook, select one of their messages, open the message options, and choose Block or Block sender. Outlook then treats future email from that sender as junk, helping keep it out of your Inbox. The exact menu depends on whether you use Outlook on Windows, Mac, the web, or a phone; the steps below cover each, along with how to undo a block.

What You’ll Need

Access to the Outlook account where you receive the unwanted messages.
A message from the sender you want to block, or the sender’s complete email address or domain if you plan to add it in settings.
A current Outlook app or a web browser. If you use a work or school account, your organization may control some junk-mail settings.

Step-by-Step

Choose the account and message. Open Outlook and make sure you are looking at the mailbox that receives the unwanted email. Find a message from the sender. If you cannot find one in your Inbox, check Junk Email or another folder. Blocking the address that actually sent the message is usually more reliable than relying on the display name, which can be changed or imitated.
Block a sender in new Outlook for Windows. In the message list, right-click the email. Choose Block and then Block sender if Outlook shows a submenu. Depending on the current layout, you may instead select the message and choose … (More actions) on the toolbar, then choose the block option. Confirm if Outlook asks. New Outlook may show a confirmation that future messages from this sender will go to Junk Email.
Block a sender in classic Outlook for Windows. Select a message from the sender, then go to Home > Block > Block Sender. In some classic Outlook layouts, the Block command is in the Junk menu: choose Home > Junk > Block Sender. Approve the prompt if one appears. If the ribbon is simplified or narrow, expand it or open the relevant menu to find the command.
Block a sender in Outlook on the web. Sign in to Outlook in your browser and select the unwanted message. Open the message’s … (More actions) menu and look for Block or Block sender. In some layouts, the command appears on the toolbar after you select the message. Follow the confirmation prompt. The message may be moved to Junk Email as part of the action.
Block a sender in Outlook for Mac. Select or open the message, then use the message’s … menu or right-click it and choose Block or Block Sender, if available. Menu labels and placement can differ between the new and legacy Outlook for Mac, so use the message actions menu if you do not see a Block command on the ribbon. Confirm the action when prompted.
Block a sender in the Outlook mobile app. Open the message, tap the … menu, and look for Block sender or a block option under the message actions. Confirm if asked. The app’s menu can vary between iOS and Android and by account type. If you do not see a block option, use Outlook on the web or a computer to add the address in junk-mail settings instead.
Check that the block is in place. In Outlook on the web or new Outlook, open Settings (the gear icon), choose Mail > Junk email, and look under Blocked senders and domains. In classic Outlook for Windows, go to Home > Junk > Junk E-mail Options, then open the Blocked Senders tab. On other versions, look in the Junk Email or Junk Mail settings. The wording and available settings may vary by account.
Add an address manually if needed. In Outlook on the web or new Outlook, open Settings > Mail > Junk email. Under Blocked senders and domains, choose Add, enter the complete email address, and save. In classic Outlook for Windows, use Home > Junk > Junk E-mail Options > Blocked Senders > Add, then enter the address and confirm. Use a domain only when you intend to block all senders using that domain.
Unblock the sender if you change your mind. Return to the blocked-sender list in settings, select the address or domain, and remove it. In classic Outlook for Windows, select it on the Blocked Senders tab and choose Remove. Unblocking affects future filtering; it does not necessarily move messages that are already in Junk Email back to your Inbox. Move any wanted messages yourself.

Outlook menus change occasionally, and features can differ by account provider. If your version uses slightly different wording, look for the message’s More actions menu or for Mail, Junk email, and Blocked senders in Settings. A Microsoft 365 work or school administrator may also set rules that limit what you can change.

Common Mistakes

Blocking only the display name. A sender’s name in the From line is not the same as the underlying email address. Open the message details or inspect the sender address before adding it manually. Scammers can also spoof addresses, so one block may not catch messages that imitate the same person from a different address.
Expecting blocked mail to disappear completely. Blocking generally routes messages from that address to Junk Email; it does not guarantee that Outlook deletes them. Check Junk Email occasionally, especially after blocking someone whose messages could still matter.
Blocking a whole domain too broadly. Adding a domain such as example.com can affect every address at that domain, including legitimate notices or colleagues. Add one sender address unless you are confident that all mail from the domain is unwanted.
Using Block instead of unsubscribing. For a legitimate newsletter or service you signed up for, use its unsubscribe link or account preferences. Blocking can send its messages to Junk, but it does not cancel a subscription or stop the company from sending mail.
Confusing blocking with reporting phishing. If a message tries to steal passwords, payment details, or other sensitive information, use Outlook’s Report or Report phishing option when available. Blocking alone does not report the threat, and reporting does not always add the sender to your blocked list.
Blocking the wrong address or account. If you use several Outlook accounts, make sure the message belongs to the account you intend to change. A block list may be associated with the specific mailbox or provider, so do not assume a change in one account applies to all your accounts.

Tips

Use the message menu for a quick block. Selecting or right-clicking the message is often faster than opening settings. Settings are more useful when the sender’s message is not available or you want to review the full list.
Check the sender address carefully. If a message claims to be from a bank, delivery service, or coworker, inspect the full address rather than trusting the display name. Do not open attachments or follow links just to identify a sender.
Use Junk or Report for repeated unwanted mail. Outlook’s message actions may offer Report junk, Report phishing, or similar choices. Choose the option that matches the message. If the email is simply an unwanted but legitimate promotion, unsubscribe where appropriate.
Review the blocked list occasionally. Addresses can be mistyped, and you may later want mail from a sender again. Remove outdated entries, and check the list if expected email starts arriving in Junk Email.
Remember that organization policies can take precedence. Work and school mailboxes may apply administrator-managed filtering, quarantine, or transport rules. If a setting is missing or a sender keeps getting through, contact your IT support team with the message details.
Keep expectations realistic. Blocking helps with a stable sender address, but it cannot reliably stop someone who changes addresses or forges the From field. For persistent spam, report the messages and use your provider’s filtering tools rather than creating broad blocks that might catch legitimate mail.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find the Block command. Select a message first, then check its … menu or right-click menu. In classic Outlook for Windows, check Home > Junk. On a phone, open the message before tapping More actions. If the option is still absent, add the address in Outlook on the web under Settings > Mail > Junk email, if those settings are available for your account.
The sender’s next message still appears in your Inbox. Confirm that you blocked the correct full address and account. Check the blocked list and see whether the new message came from a different address or a mailing-list address. If the address is listed but mail still arrives, your account provider or organization may be applying different rules; contact support or use the available Report junk option.
A wanted message went to Junk Email. Open the message and choose Not junk or Mark as not junk if that option is available, then move it to your Inbox. Remove the sender from the blocked list if necessary. For a work or school mailbox, check whether an organization rule is responsible.
You do not see the same blocked list on another device. Confirm that both apps are signed in to the same mailbox and that the account is connected. Some providers or account types handle junk settings differently, and changes may take time to sync. Check the account in a browser; if the address is not there, add it in the mailbox’s settings.
Messages keep coming from changing addresses. A sender block works on the address or domain you specify, not on a person’s identity. Avoid blocking an entire common email provider, since that could block legitimate messages. Report persistent spam, use your provider’s filtering controls, and ask your administrator for help if the mailbox is managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does blocking a sender delete their old emails?
Usually, no. Blocking primarily affects how future messages are handled. Existing messages may stay in the Inbox or another folder; delete or move them separately if you want to.

Where do blocked senders’ emails go?
In most Outlook setups, messages from a blocked address are directed to Junk Email rather than automatically erased. Check your junk folder because filtering can occasionally catch a message you want.

Can I block someone using Outlook on my phone?
Often, yes. Open the message, tap the More actions menu, and look for a block option. If it is not shown in your app, add the address through Outlook on the web or a desktop version of Outlook.

Can I block an entire email domain?
Yes, where the blocked-sender settings allow domains, but do so carefully. Blocking a domain can send email from every address at that domain to Junk, including legitimate mail. Blocking one complete sender address is usually safer.

Will blocking a sender stop them from emailing me?
No. It changes how Outlook handles messages that reach your mailbox; it does not prevent the sender’s email system from sending them. If the address changes, you may need to report or filter the new messages too.

How do I unblock a sender?
Open the blocked-sender list in your Outlook junk-mail settings, select the address, and remove it. If a message is already in Junk Email, move it to your Inbox separately; removing a block may not restore older messages automatically.

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