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Microsoft Mail Connector Queues

Each Microsoft Mail Connector maintains a queue of pending outbound messages from each of its connections. You can display the queue for each connection, return messages to the sender, and delete problem messages from the queue. Each message in a queue has an ID so you can follow the message in the tracking log and in the application event log.

Normally, messages appear in the queue for only a brief interval. Any lingering messages should be investigated.

Use the Microsoft Mail Connector Connections property page to examine the queue of outbound messages for each MS Mail connection. Each Microsoft Mail Connector in the site has its own queues, so make sure to select the correct one.

Getting to the Microsoft Mail Connector Connections property page

  1. In the Administrator window, choose Connections.
  2. Double-click a Microsoft Mail Connector.
  3. Select the Connections tab.

Selecting a Queue

The Connections property page shows the hierarchy of connections for a Microsoft Mail Connector. You can select a connection and display its queue of outbound messages.

Each line under Queued Messages represents one outbound message pending delivery. The information comes from the message envelope. To sort queued messages, click the column heading buttons.

  1. Select the Connections tab.
  2. Select a connection.
  3. Choose Queue.

Option Description
From The e-mail address of the sender.
Subject Subject of the message as taken from the subject line.
Message ID The unique identifier assigned to the message. This can be used to trace the message in the event log, tracking log, and MTA queues.
Date/Time The date and time the message was submitted in local time.
Send Non-Delivery Reports when messages deleted If selected, an NDR is sent to the originator when a message is deleted from the queue. Otherwise, there is no notification.

Refreshing the Queue

The information under Queued Messages is a snapshot of the queues taken when you open it. It is not updated automatically. Use the Refresh button to update your view of the queues.

  1. In the Connections property page, choose Queue.
  2. Choose Refresh to update your view of the queue.

Returning Messages

You can return messages from the outbound queue of any connector to its originator. In addition to responding to user requests, this is useful if a message appears to be blocking the queue. To test the path of a message, return the message, and follow it in the tracking log.

  1. Select the Connections tab.
  2. Select a connection.
  3. Choose Queue.
  4. Select a message.
  5. Choose Return.

Deleting Messages

Messages that delay the processing of a queue can be deleted from the queue. Deleted messages are erased from the disk. If Send Non-Delivery Reports when messages deleted is selected, an NDR is sent to the originator.

  1. Select the Connections tab.
  2. Select a connection.
  3. Choose Queue.
  4. Select a message.
  5. Choose Delete.

Using Microsoft Mail Queues for Troubleshooting

Use the information in the Queues property page to diagnose and resolve Microsoft Mail problems.