Outlook Rules do not always run automatically

[Ken Sympson]

I have OfficeXP with Outlook 2002. I've discovered that
rules are not always examined when e-mail is downloaded
from a mail server. When I see that this has happened, I
can start them manually (Rules Wizard, Run now...), and
it's clear that the rules are working as expected.

Can someone help me with this seemingly random behavior?

Thanks.

 

[Gianni]

Unfortunately I can't help you, but I experience exactly the same problem. I
am using Outlook 2003 under Windows 2000.
If I run the rules manually they move messages to my destination folders as
defined in the rules. When new messages arrive they simply don't fire.

Greets, Gianni

 

[Savascream]

I'm running Outlook 2003 over a Win2k OS and am experiencing the same
issue with the rules not running automatically. If anyone has a fix or
workaround for this problem please post.

 

[Guest]

Mine is doing the same thing for me in Outlook 2000 - quite anoying

 

[Guest]

Mine is doing the same thing running Windows 98 and Outlook 2002
How do we find a fix for this? It seems every one is having the same problem.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Do you have the latest updates for Outlook? There is a known issue with
Outlook 2002 where Outlook collected mail before the rules kicked in. Rules
worked correctly on later mail passes.

In Outlook 2000 the same problem exists, outlook begins to collect mail
before the rules engine kicks in. I don't recall if one of the SP's fixes
it, but if you don't have the latest SP, install it.

For best results, even without the SPs, leave outlook running when the
computer is running. Don't open it, check mail, then close it.


--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
Coauthor, OneNote 2003 for Windows (Visual QuickStart Guide)
Author, Google and Other Search Engines (Visual QuickStart Guide)



Join OneNote Tips mailing list: http://www.onenote-tips.net/

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[Craig Humphrey]

Hi Diane,

I recently upgraded from Outlook2000 to Outlook2003 (on Win2k) and I too am
seeing the same thing.
I've Windows Updated my PC, Office Updated my apps and I still have the same
problem. Some rules always fire, some fire some times, while others only
fire if I run the rules manually (which is a pain when you have 30+ rules to
tick).

Is there a solution for this?

Thanks
Craig

 

[Guest]

Ken,

I have noticed the same problem with a twist: My client side rules only
work when I am connected to an Exchange Server. If I am not they don't
work-I can't even modify them! Sounds like some work needs to be done as I
really need rules to work when off-line.

 

[Guest]

It is apparent know that there is a problem with rules.

I run W2000 SP4 with Outlook 2003 and have over 25 rules which some work all
the time...some never..........!

I've searched the knowledgebase a bit and cant find anything ? Does anyone
have access to Microsoft email support...surely they must know about this ?

Thanks !

 

[Guest]

Having already posted on this subject i may have found another reason why
this problem exists....thanks to a post on this subject elsewhere....!

There apparently is a 32k limit on rules and it CANNOT BE MODIFIED.

Some people think MS wont change it because of backward compatibility issues
some others think not. There must be a work-around for something as simple as
this !

The best thing to do is to is for everyone with this problem to use the link
below and give Microsoft a good ear bashing !

http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp

Thanks


Andrew

 

[Guest]

ARGH! I have the exact same issue. I do not think it is the 32K problem as
described before because I only have **3** rules running!!

This is a disaster. I wish someone would consider this to be a real problem!!

 

[Guest]

I am seeing the same problems as everyone else - with a twist.
(Outlook 2003)

If I "SEND" a message - the rules fire and work fine.

Once, when I called the help-desk here at work, they had me
create a new profile - claiming it was a corrupt profile that kept
the rules from working. It did solve the problem - for about 2 weeks,
but creating a new profile when you have lots of search folders, etc.
defined was painful.

Todd

 

[Guest]

Boy is this annoying - why has Microsoft setup these Communities if they're
not going to monitor them???? The issues above are clearly wide spread. I
have several computers (Office2003SP1 on XPSP2) and am experiencning:
- rules only work when run manually
- server side rules only work when logged onto exchange
- rebuilding the profile only works for a few days/weeks before reverting.

Hello - anyone home at MS . . . .

 

[Mike Schinkel]

Just to add another cry for help...

I'm having the same problem, w/only three rules too. :-(

-Mike Schinkel

 

[Guest]

I am having a similar problem with Outlook 2003 running on XP with all
updates. I have about 7 rules one for each inbox...very simple, if it is
through a certain account then put it in a certain inbox folder... and on
just 2 of those rules it changes the folder it sends it to! I can not get the
right folder to stay!! I change it and hit apply and it changes it back to
another inbox folder! Any ideas on why and how to change this quirk...the
other rules work ok.
Thanks
Angie

 

[Guest]

Adding my own two coppers here. I'm running Outlook 2003 (part of Office
Professional Edition) on Windows XP Professional. I run Norton Internet
Security and Norton Antivirus. I've disabled Norton's spam filter in an
attempt to isolate the problem but it hasn't helped. I have only two rules -
one that blocks words in subject and body and another rule that blocks a
specific address. The rule that blocks words has only 11 words indicated,
the blocked address has only one address. I've also blocked foreign
addresses using the Junk Email filter.

The blocked foreign addresses has never worked.
The rules always work if I fire them off manually.
The rules occasionally work automatically but have never done so consistently.
The same problem exists with rules created manually as well as with rules
created using the wizard.

You would think that someone like Bill who gets a million pieces of spam a
day would be all over his propeller heads down in Outlookville ordering them
to fix the rules engine or risk punishment by loss of stock option.

 

[Guest]

On Office 2003 (SP1) running on Windows XP (SP2) I was able to resolve the
problem by unchecking the "Use Cached Exchange Mode" setting which is located
under the "Mail" =>"E-mail Accounts" => "View or Change existing e-mail
accounts" => then select the "Change" button to bring up the "Exchange
Server Settings" dialog box. I've had other problems that were resolved by
unchecking this option as well. Hope this helps with some of the problems.

Jeff

 

[Guest]

My problem is similar, if not the same. I thought for a while that the rules
just weren't running, but I found out eventually that they DO run, it just
takes several minutes. In the test I just ran, the times I got for the rules
to kick in were.

2m 59 sec
2m 29 sec
3m 50 sec
1m 56 sec

It certainly is a problem they need to address and I'm going to see if I can
contact them about it. I'm a member of the Partner Program, so hopefully I
have some way to talk to them.

 

[Guest]

Thank you, Jeff!! That solved my problem! Do you know if that's something
new since Outlook 2000? I didn't have that problem before, but ever since I
switched to 2k3, it's been driving me insane.

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[Guest]

Unfortunately, this is a pop account, not an MS Exchange Server account. So
changing this setting wasn't an option for me.

As an update, my rules have stopped running completely. The only way they
run is if I manually fire them. This is incredibly disappointing.