Why Can’t I send pictures from my phone

Why Can’t I Send Pictures to My Outlook Email from My Android Anymore?

A reader is struggling with sending emails on their phone.

“On my Android phone i can no longer send pics to my email outlook,i have done this for years but suddenly i now get this “Remote server returned ‘550 5.7.520 Message blocked because it contains content identified as spam. AS(9530) I can’t find where to contact Outlook.”

If you’ve been happily sending pictures from your Android phone to your Outlook email for years and now it suddenly stops working, you’re not alone. That pesky “550 5.7.520 Message blocked because it contains content identified as spam” error can pop up out of nowhere. But don’t worry—we’re here to help you troubleshoot and fix it.

What Does the Error Mean?

The error basically means that Outlook’s spam filter is stopping your email because it thinks the content might be harmful. This can happen even if it’s just a harmless picture of your cat or a sunset. Outlook’s spam filters are always updating, and sometimes, they get a little overprotective.

Why Is This Happening?

1. Overactive Spam Filters:
   Microsoft’s Outlook spam filters might see something in the email or attachment that looks suspicious, even if it’s not.
2. Your Email or IP Address Got Flagged:
   If your email account or the IP address used to send the email has been flagged for spam, your emails might get blocked.
3. Attachment Size or Format Issues:
   Large attachments or unsupported file types can sometimes trigger errors.
4. Changes in Your Email App or Settings:
   A recent update to your email app or Outlook’s security settings might be behind this.

How to Fix It

1. Check the File You’re Sending

• File Size: If the picture is huge, try resizing it or compressing the file.
• File Type: Stick with common formats like .jpg or .png. Unusual file types might trigger the spam filter.

2. Check Your Email App Settings

• Make sure your email app is configured correctly.
• Verify your SMTP (Outgoing Mail) settings for your Outlook account. They should look like this:
  • SMTP Server: smtp.office365.com
  • Port: 587
  • Encryption: TLS

3. Use a Different Email Address

• Try sending the picture to your Outlook email from another email address (like Gmail). If it works, the issue might be with your original email address or account.

4. Use the Outlook Web App or Desktop Version

• Instead of using your Android email app, log into Outlook directly via the web or desktop app and attach the picture there.

5. Scan for Malware or Viruses

• Ensure the photo or device doesn’t have malware. Sometimes, hidden malicious content can trigger spam filters. Use a trusted antivirus app to scan your device.

6. Contact Microsoft Support

• If none of the above works, the problem could be on Microsoft’s end.
• Visit Outlook Support and provide the full error code (550 5.7.520).

7. Whitelist Your Email Address

• Ask the recipient (yourself, in this case) to log into their Outlook account and add your email address to their Safe Senders list:
  • Go to Settings > Mail > Junk Email and add your email address.

A Quick Fix Recap

1. Resize or reformat the picture you’re trying to send.
2. Double-check your email app’s outgoing mail settings.
3. Try using a different email address or send through the Outlook web app.
4. Scan for malware or viruses on your Android device.
5. Contact Microsoft if you’re still stuck.