Microsoft Forms is a useful tool for collecting responses and data quickly. However, sometimes you might face issues where email notifications are not sent after someone submits a form. This can cause delays in getting important updates.
Fixing this problem on Windows 11 is usually straightforward. It often involves checking settings both in Microsoft Forms and your email account.
In this guide, we will walk you through simple, step-by-step solutions to get your email notifications working again. Each step is explained clearly, so you can follow along without confusion.
By the end, you should be able to solve the problem or know what to try next if the issue persists.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks
Before diving into troubleshooting, make sure of the following:
- You are logged into the correct Microsoft account that owns the form.
- Your email inbox is not full and can receive new messages.
- You have a stable internet connection.
- Your Microsoft 365 subscription is active if you are using a premium account.
These simple checks can save time and avoid confusion later.
Step 1: Verify Email Notification Settings in Microsoft Forms
The first thing to check is whether email notifications are enabled for your form. Microsoft Forms allows you to turn notifications on or off easily.
- Open Microsoft Forms in your web browser and sign in.
- Click on the form you want to check.
- Click on the More options button (three dots) in the upper right corner.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- In the settings panel, find the option labeled “Send me an email receipt when respondents submit my form” or similar wording.
- Make sure this option is checked.
Why this matters: If this setting is off, Microsoft Forms will not send any email notifications regardless of other configurations.
Step 2: Check Your Spam or Junk Email Folder
Sometimes, email notifications might be sent but incorrectly marked as spam by your email service.
- Open your email client or webmail (Outlook, Gmail, etc.).
- Go to the Spam or Junk folder.
- Look for any emails coming from Microsoft Forms or your Microsoft account.
- If you find any, mark them as Not Spam to ensure future emails reach your inbox.
Why this matters: Email providers often filter messages automatically; checking spam ensures you don’t miss notifications that were actually sent.
Step 3: Confirm Your Microsoft Account Email Address
Microsoft Forms sends notifications to the email connected to your Microsoft account. If your account email is outdated or incorrect, you won’t get any alerts.
- Go to the Microsoft Account page and sign in.
- Click on Your info at the top of the page.
- Verify the primary email address listed.
- If necessary, update your email address to one you actively use.
Why this matters: Notifications are only sent to the primary email on your account. Having the correct email ensures you receive alerts.
Step 4: Check Microsoft 365 Admin Settings (If Applicable)
If you are using Microsoft Forms as part of a work or school organization, certain admin settings might block email notifications.
- Contact your IT administrator to check if email notifications are allowed for Microsoft Forms.
- Ask if any email filtering or security policies might be preventing notification emails.
- Request that your account or form be whitelisted if needed.
Why this matters: Organizational policies often restrict email flows to prevent spam or data leaks, which can interfere with Forms notifications.
Step 5: Test with a Different Form or Account
To isolate the issue, try creating a new form or using a different Microsoft account to see if notifications work there.
- Create a simple new form with a few questions.
- Enable email notifications as in Step 1.
- Submit a test response.
- Check if you receive the notification email.
- If this works, the problem might be specific to your original form or account.
Why this matters: Testing helps identify whether the problem is with Microsoft Forms itself or something unique to your setup.
Alternative Method: Use Power Automate to Send Notifications
If native Microsoft Forms notifications continue to fail, you can create a custom workflow using Power Automate to send emails when a form is submitted.
- Sign in to Power Automate.
- Create a new flow triggered by a Microsoft Forms response.
- Configure the flow to send an email to your desired address.
- Save and test the flow by submitting your form.
Why this helps: Power Automate allows more control and customization of notifications, bypassing some limitations of the default Forms email system.
When Nothing Works: Final Resort Options
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, try these final options:
- Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes cached data causes problems. Clear your browser cache or try a different browser.
- Update Windows 11: Make sure your system is fully updated to avoid compatibility issues.
- Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the Microsoft Forms support page for direct help.
- Check Microsoft Service Status: Sometimes Microsoft services experience outages. Check Office Service Status for any ongoing issues.
FAQs
Why am I not receiving email notifications even though they are enabled?
This could be due to spam filtering, incorrect email address, or organizational policies blocking emails. Check your spam folder, verify your account email, and consult your IT admin if applicable.
Can I receive notifications on a different email address?
Notifications are sent to the primary email of your Microsoft account. You can change this email in your Microsoft account settings if needed.
Are email notifications available for all Microsoft Forms users?
Email notifications are available for personal and organizational accounts, but some features may depend on your Microsoft 365 subscription or admin settings.
How do I disable email notifications?
Go to your form’s settings and uncheck the option for “Send me an email receipt when respondents submit my form.”
Is there a delay in receiving notification emails?
Usually, notifications are sent immediately, but occasional delays can happen due to server issues or email provider delays.
Conclusion
Microsoft Forms email notification issues on Windows 11 are usually easy to fix by checking basic settings and account details. Start by ensuring notifications are enabled in the form, then verify your email and spam folders.
If you are part of an organization, keep in mind that admin policies might also affect notifications. Testing with different forms and accounts helps isolate the problem.
When default options fail, using Power Automate can provide a reliable alternative for receiving email alerts.
Following these step-by-step solutions will help ensure you never miss an important form submission notification again.