Fix Outlook Not Showing All Emails with 8 Easy Methods

Published: April 9th, 2025 • 5 Min Read
Is Outlook not showing all emails when you search? Whether you are using Outlook on your desktop or mobile device this guide will help you to quickly fix the issue. In this troubleshooting tutorial, we have we will guide you through the best 8 solutions despite your expertise i.e. whether you are a technical or non-technical user. The common reasons for the problem that users cannot see all emails in Outlook are:
- Incomplete Indexing.
- Corrupt Outlook Views.
- Filter Settings.
- Sync Issues or IMAP folder visibility.
- Overloaded Inbox
How to Solve Cannot See All Emails in Outlook?
If you are not showing all your emails in Outlook, try to rebuild the search index. Next, clear Outlook search cache since, sometimes Outlook cache also creates the problem. Secondly, if you are using IMAP, ensure that you have subscribed to all IMAP folders. Try to reset Outlook views or if your inbox is overloaded backup Outlook emails to your local folder.
Additionally, there are several other fixes based on your problem. Such as you may try to reset Outlook views, and use advanced search filters. However, if any of the fixes do not work then you must be required to fix Outlook data file issues. Now, let us discuss the troubleshooting guide to overcome Outlook not showing all emails.
Fix 1: Rebuild the Outlook Search Index
The Outlook search index might be incomplete which may be causing Outlook inbox not showing all emails. Follow the below-provided steps to rebuild the Outlook search index and get rid of your problem.
- First, Open Outlook >> go to File tab >> Options.
- Now, click on the Search option >> Advanced >> Rebuild.
- Finally, click Ok from the pop-up and wait for the Outlook search index rebuild process to complete.
Fix 2: Clear Outlook Search Cache
Outlook search cache sometimes might create the issue of Outlook not showing all emails when searching. Clearing outdated or corrupted search cache might resolve the problem. To do so please go through the below provided steps.
- Firstly, press Win + R to launch the run
- Next, type %localappdata% and press enter.
- Now, navigate to Microsoft >> Outlook >> RoamCache.
- Finally, delete all the Outlook search cache.
Fix 3: Update Microsoft Outlook
Verify that you are using the latest updated version of the Outlook email client. Since older may have bugs that may cause the problem users can’t see all emails in Outlook. To do so please go with the below described steps.
- Launch the Outlook desktop app & click the File tab.
- Now, choose the Office Account option.
- Finally, choose Update Options > Update Now.
Fix 4: Use Advanced Search Filters
If you cannot find any specific emails in Outlook using search. You may try the advanced search filters to see specific emails in your Outlook inbox. However, verify that you are not overlooking any specific email. Some of the advanced search filters in Outlook to see emails in inbox are:
- First, open Outlook and go to the search box option.
- Now click on the drop menu to advanced search settings.
- Next, use Filter as per your requirement based on From, To, etc.
- Finally, press the search button to see specific Outlook emails in your Inbox.
Fix 5: Reset Outlook Views Back to Default
Wrongly configured custom or corrupt view might cause the issue of Outlook not showing all emails. To fix this issue it is recommended to reset Outlook views back to default.
- Open the Outlook tab and choose the View tab from the ribbon.
- Next, click on the View Settings option.
- Finally, choose the option Reset Current View and tap OK.
Fix 6: Subscribe to All IMAP Folders
If you are handling an IMAP account in Outlook. Then, you must subscribe to all IMAP folders. Otherwise, you may get the issue of Outlook not showing all emails when searching. For subscribing to all IMAP fodders use the below-described steps.
- At the start, run the Outlook app on your PC.
- Next, right-click on the configured IMAP account from the folder panel.
- After that, choose the option IMAP Folders and click on the Query button.
- Thereafter, enable the folders that you need to subscribe to overcome the issue.
- Finally, click on Ok and check if your Outlook is now displaying all emails.
Fix 7: Fix Overloaded Inbox Issues
There is a high chance that your Outlook inbox is highly overloaded due to which several times users are unable to see all emails in Outlook. In such situations, backing up Outlook email using an appropriate solution like BitRecover PST converter for Outlook is recommended. Secondly, if you are an admin-level user it is suggested to use a specific utility like BitRecover Outlook Duplicate Remover to remove duplicate emails from Outlook inbox.
Fix 8: Fix Issues with Outlook PST File
Issues with Outlook data files might also create a problem for users when Outlook does not show all email. To handle such type of issues Outlook provides an inbuilt tool known as scanpst.exe. You need to locate scanPST for your Outlook version and run the tool. However, this inbuilt wizard will fix minor issues only. To fix more advanced levels of issues for Outlook data files. You can try the more advanced solution like PST Repair Wizard.
Final Observation
To wrap up the above troubleshooting guide on the topic of Outlook not showing all emails when searching with 8 tested solutions. However, if you still cannot see all emails in Outlook. Then, there is the possibility that you are fighting with the server-side issue. To fix this try contacting the server admin for your account service provider.