8 Effective Solutions to Fix Windows 11 Mail App Showing HTML Code for Emails

ByJim Miller

The Windows 11 Mail app is a handy tool for managing your emails, but it can be frustrating when it fails to load them properly and displays HTML code instead. Before you consider switching to an alternative mail app, try these effective fixes to resolve the underlying issue.

Check Your Internet Connection

Start with the basics and check your internet connection. A slow or unstable connection can cause the Mail app to fail in processing your emails correctly. Run an internet speed test on your PC to ensure your connection is stable.

Disable and Re-Enable Mail Sync

Sync issues with the Mail app can also prevent it from displaying emails correctly. To fix this issue, disable and re-enable sync for your email account.

  1. Open the Mail app on your PC and click the gear icon in the bottom left corner.
  2. Select “Manage accounts” from the menu.
  3. Choose your email account to open its settings.
  4. Click on “Change mailbox sync settings” and disable the toggle for “Email.” Then re-enable it after a few seconds.

Remove and Re-Add Your Account

If the previous fix didn't work, you can try removing your account from the Mail app and adding it back. This forces the app to retrieve all your emails from the server, resolving any loading issues.

  1. In the Mail app, click the settings icon in the bottom left corner.
  2. Select “Manage accounts” from the right pane.
  3. Click on your email account to open its settings.
  4. Select “Delete account from this device.”
  5. Restart the Mail app and add your account again.

Repair or Reset the Mail App

When the Mail app starts behaving strangely, you can use the built-in repair tool in Windows 11 to fix common issues.

  1. Press the Windows key + S to open the search menu.
  2. Type “Mail” in the search box and right-click on the first result. Select “App settings.”
  3. Scroll down to the Reset section and click the “Repair” button.
  4. If the issue persists, you can try resetting the app to its default state from the same menu.

Temporarily Disable Third-Party Antivirus Program

Sometimes, third-party antivirus programs can interfere with the Mail app's functionality. Temporarily disable your antivirus program and check if the Mail app works properly.

Update the Mail App

Using an outdated version of the Mail app can lead to anomalies like displaying emails as HTML code. Open the Microsoft Store app, navigate to the Library tab, and click the Get updates button in the top right corner. Install any available updates for the Mail app.

Reinstall the Mail App

If updating the Mail app doesn't solve the issue, you can try reinstalling it. This removes any corrupt or redundant app data and can resolve the problem.

  1. Press the Windows key + S to open the search menu and type “Mail” in the search box.
  2. Right-click on the first result and select “Uninstall.”
  3. Confirm the uninstallation.
  4. Head over to the Microsoft Store app and reinstall the Mail app.

Install Windows Updates

Keeping your Windows computer updated is crucial. Check for any pending updates by opening the Settings app, navigating to the Windows Update tab, and clicking on the Check for updates button. Download and install any available updates.

With these effective solutions, you can get back to reading your emails without seeing HTML code in the Windows 11 Mail app. If you're tired of dealing with recurring issues, you might consider switching to a different email client like Microsoft Outlook.