Overview: Attachments Not Showing in Outlook? You’re not alone. Many Outlook users face this problem. While they do in other mailboxes winmail.dat files are removed or simply cut off. But whether it is a business or critical document or just some personal files, being on the other end of missing attachments can be really frustrating. Thankfully, there are a few causes and corresponding solutions to the problem and you can get your attachments back. In this post, we will clarify how Outlook attachments are not showing and you can try to fix the problem manually, and as well as through smart approach.
Also Read: How to Archive Attachments in Outlook?
Why are Attachments Not Showing in Outlook?
This behavior could happen because of various reasons from simple to complex one. Here are the most likely reasons:
- Outlook emails written or received in plain text will not receive assistance for inline attachments like images.
- If the Outlook profile or PST file is damaged, then attachments will not display.
- Anti-virus scanners might block attachments, especially when they appear to contain something harmful.
- Update or patch older versions of Outlook. As, it can also affect the way attachments are displayed on-screen.
- Senders who use RTF to format their emails. A recipient's email client may receive the attachments as a file named winmail.
- Your mail server or system administrator may have restrictions regarding some file types or sizes.
- Sometimes Outlook cache prevents attachments from being displayed in the preview or reading pane.
Manual Methods to Fix Attachments Not Showing in Outlook
There are a couple of things you can try on your own to troubleshoot and fix the problem:
#1. Change the Message Format
In some cases email is written in Plain Text format. It doesn't show text with rich formatting or inline attachments.
- Open the email in Outlook.
- Go to Format Text tab.
- Choose HTML or Rich Text (RTF) instead of Plain Text.
For senders:
For attachments ensure you’re composing in HTML to be able to attach content.
#2. Clear Outlook Cache
Corrupted cache files may cause attachment display errors. Remove them from your system to resolve attachments not showing in Outlook problem.
- Close Outlook.
- Navigate to:
C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
- Navigate to Roam Cache and delete everything in there.
- Restart Outlook.
#3. Disable Antivirus Email Scanning
This is also the factor where you need to keep check. Mostly, it is Enabled by the users. Follow the below steps:
- Just turn off the email scanning in your AV.
- Restart Outlook and see if attachments now appear.
- Make sure not to forget to enable protection again after testing.
#4. Repair Outlook Data Files
Several problems due to corrupted PST/OST files. Use the Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.EXE)
- Close Outlook.
- Locate SCANPST. EXE which is generally located in the Outlook installation directory.
- Open and select your PST file usually found at Documents\Outlook Files.
- Click Start to analyze and arrange your PC.
#5. Use Outlook Web Versions
This is the method where you will need to use web version. For the same, go through the following step.
- Use Outlook Web Version
- Attachments show up in OWA, but are missing in the desktop app.
- Login through your web browser
See if there are attachments there.
If they are visible, it will suggest that your installation of desktop Outlook may not be working correctly.
#6. Check Attachment Preview Settings
If you don’t see a preview of some file types:
- Go to the following path: File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Attachment Handling.
- Make sure that Turn off Attachment Preview is not checked.
- Now, move ahead to Attachment and Document Previewers and turn on according to your need.
#7. Recreate Your Outlook Profile
This is the method when your Outlook profile is corrupted, and facing attachments not showing in Outlook.
- Open Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles.
- Click Add, and then click New to build a new profile.
- Make the new profile to be Default and launch Outlook.
#8. Update or Reinstall Outlook
- Look for the latest updates from File > Office Account > Update Options.
- If problems continue, it means that you have to reinstall Outlook or Microsoft 365.
Limitations of Manual Fixes
Although all these approaches have several disadvantages:
- Doing manually takes time and chances are if you don’t know the main problem at the end.
- By, recreating profile, SCANPST etc., can confuse the non technical user.
- Mismanagement of PST files can cause data loss.
Note: This solutions maybe admin level fixes not the permanent solution.
Fix “Attachments Not Showing in Outlook” Error - Professional Solution
When none of the manual techniques have worked, and you still cannot see attachments in Outlook. It might be time for you to take professional solution. In cases where attached files are not visible because of corruption, unworkable email structures or file issues, the manual steps is not always effective. This is where SysTools Outlook Attachment Extractor comes in.
This tool allows you to extract all attachments in PST, OST, or BAK files, even if attachments are hidden or corrupted. Embedded, Inline attachments and attachments that are not retrievable due to some reason, can be recovered. After this, you can also save to a location on your computer for easy access.
Conclusion
Now, you may have got various solutions to fix attachments not working in Outlook. Try each method one by one to know what’s exactly the problem is. Also, we have mentioned key reasons behind this. So, that you don’t get this problem again in future whenever working with Outlook. But I recommend you to go with our automated solution to permanently fix attachment issues.
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