A full mailbox stops you receiving new email, and senders may get a “mailbox full” bounce. The fix is to free up space or increase your quota. This guide explains both, and how to prevent it happening again.
Why mailboxes fill up #
Every message and attachment counts toward your mailbox quota, and with IMAP everything is stored on the server. Large attachments, years of old mail, and full Trash or Junk folders are the usual culprits.
Free up space quickly #
- Delete large attachments and old messages you no longer need.
- Empty the Trash and Junk/Spam folders.
- Archive important old mail to your computer if you use a desktop client.
Increase your quota #
If you regularly need more space, raise the mailbox quota in your control panel’s Email Accounts section, within your plan’s overall storage. This is the quickest way to stop it recurring.
Prevent it in future #
- Keep an eye on mailbox usage in your control panel.
- Empty Trash and Junk regularly.
- Avoid keeping huge attachments in your mailbox; save them elsewhere.
Troubleshooting #
- Still not receiving after clearing: allow a moment, and confirm the quota is not still at the limit.
- Senders getting bounces: free space or raise the quota, then ask them to resend.
Need help? #
Our support team can help you manage mailbox storage. Start a live chat and we will assist.
