Technology

Email Redirect from Microsoft 365 is Not Working

Last modified 11/8/2024

Forward vs. Redirect

The ability to create new redirects is no longer available. Redirects that were implemented prior to 2/21/23 will continue to function, but users will no longer be able to update them. Due to the implementation of DMARC, redirects are unlikely to work as desired and it is strongly recommended that forwarding be used as a substitute method if that functionality is needed. More information about DMARC is available here DMARC.

When you set up an email redirect from Microsoft 365, make sure the junk mail settings for your destination account are configured to allow ilstu.edu email to be delivered.

Always Test After Setting Up an Email Redirect

Important:

When setting up an email redirect, you should always send a test email to ensure it works as expected.

To verify your email redirect is working properly, do the following:

  1. Set up your email redirect (if you have not already done so).
    1a. Refer to the following article for steps on Redirecting your Email in Microsoft 365: Create an Inbox Rule to Forward All Messages from Microsoft 365 Email
  2. Send a Test Email to your ilstu.edu address (i.e., Type Test in the Subject line and body of your message and then click Send to make sure the email re-directs to the correct destination email).
  3. Log in to the Email Account to which you have redirected your ilstu.edu mail.
  4. Verify that you have received the message to your Inbox.

Some email providers have aggressive junk mail settings turned on by default. When you redirect your university email to another account, the junk mail settings for the destination account may incorrectly mark ilstu.edu email as “junk”. Depending on your settings, ilstu.edu email may be moved to a Junk folder, or it may automatically delete ilstu.edu emails. If you do not see the email in your inbox, search your Spam, Trash and/or Junk folders to locate the email, then use your 3rd party email's junk mail settings to allow emails from ilstu.edu

To verify that ilstu.edu email is not being incorrectly trashed or junked, do the following:

  1. Log in to the 3rd party email account where you redirected your university email. For example, if you redirected your email to reggie@gmail.com, log in to Gmail.
  2. Locate your junk mail settings. They might be in “Options,” “Settings,” “Junk Mail Controls,” “Spam Controls,” “Bulk Mail Settings,” or another area.
  3. Once you’ve located your 3rd party email's junk mail settings, check to see how they are configured. Your email account should never be configured to delete junk mail automatically. If your email account offers it, you should configure your settings to move junk mail to a Junk folder.
  4. Look for an option to put ilstu.edu email on a protected/safe list so Illinois State emails are never accidentally marked as junk. This may be called a “white list.” Sometimes you can add a specific email address or domain to a white list. If possible, add the ilstu.edu domain to your account whitelist.
  5. When you are done, send a test email to your ilstu.edu address. After a moment, log in to your 3rd party email (i.e., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) account (the one you set up the email forward). Verify that you received the test email.

How to Get Help

Technical assistance is available through the Illinois State University Technology Support Center at:



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