I have Outlook 2013 on Windows 8.1. It is linked with an external IMAP account. Outlook will not sync and receive message into the Inbox unless I have selected a different folder or selected Calendar, Tasks or another item from the bottom toolbar. Even if I have Mail selected and select "Send/Receive" messages will not come through. I have checked the settings for automatically receiving messages and setting it on different times does not make a difference. I have tried checking filters, those have been remove and nothing. I have tried checking settings in my external email (through Bluegenesis) and there is nothing there that makes a difference. It is very frustrating to have to either close out and reopen my Outlook to get new messages or have something other than Inbox selected. I have tried to check all settings, rules, etc. and do not have anything special set. I already tried removing the account completely and setting it up again, but I'm still having the same issue. 

Hi,

When you set up the account again, did you still use the old .ost file or a new one? Rename the .ost file to ".old", let Outlook create a new one to sync, check if this issue persists.

I also suggest you disable firewall and anti-virus program to try again.

Do you have other accounts in Outlook? If yes, do they have the same issue?

We can run Outlook in Safe Mode to determine if it's 3rd-party add-ins related:

Press Win + R and type outlook.exe /safe in the blank box, then press Enter.

If theres no problem in Safe Mode, disable the suspicious add-ins to verify which add-ins caused this issue.

If none of the above works, please create a new profile to set up the account, check if the issue persists:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829918/en-us

Regards,

Melon Chen
TechNet Community Support

• Marked as answer by Melon Chen CHNMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Monday, January 27, 2014 11:47 AM

This has been a problem for many months and reported in several threads.  It is so bad that if I have three emails out there I have to do the select another folder and then reselect the inbox three separate times to to make sure I get them all and at that still sometimes I check later and and evey earlier email shows up.  THIS TO HARMFUL TO MY BUSINESS!!!!

Are you even working on a solution for this???? Yes I have done all the suggestions, new profile, new ost file antivirus even disabling the auto send and receive to avail.

Hi SWHodges,

I have the same issue with multiple users.
This is driving me nuts! How did yours get solved?

Regards,

Robert

• Edited by rrvoigt Tuesday, June 24, 2014 2:28 AM wrong name

I found this thread because my Windows 7 computer displayed the exact same symptoms with Outlook 2013 and an IMAP account - I had to select a different folder then select the Inbox to get it to sync and retrieve messages. I tried about half a dozen "solutions" posted here and other sites and none worked. What finally worked for me was to go through Control Panel - Programs and Features, select Microsoft Office - Change and then Online Repair. I did the Quick Repair option first, but it did not solve the problem. Online Repair is a small pain, as you are downloading and reinstalling Office, but it did fix the problem. Now, life is good again.

• Proposed as answer by LMooreTx 9 hours 0 minutes ago