Guide

Verification email not arriving: how to fix it

Most missing verification emails come down to a handful of causes. Work through them in order.

Updated 2026-10-02 · Emailsify

Checklist

  1. Check the address for typos, exactly as the site shows it.
  2. Wait a full minute: senders queue mail.
  3. Refresh the inbox or keep the tab open so it polls.
  4. Request one resend, then wait. Repeated resends can cancel earlier codes.
  5. Look at whether the site blocks temporary domains.
  6. Check you are using the same browser session that started the sign-up.
  7. Try another address you control to rule out the sender.
  8. If you build the product, check your mail provider's logs for bounces or throttling.

For developers

If your own product's mail is slow, test delivery with a fresh inbox and measure the gap between "sent" and "received". Large gaps usually point at the provider, authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) or sender reputation.

Frequently asked questions

Why did the code expire?

Codes carry a short lifetime set by the sender, often 10 minutes or less.

Is my inbox broken?

Unlikely. Check the address and try one resend first.

Keep reading

How to receive a verification code without your real emailStep by step: get a temporary address, use it on a sign-up form and read the code. Plus what to do when a site refuses it.How temporary email works under the hoodA plain-English walkthrough of how a temporary inbox receives mail: DNS MX records, SMTP delivery, storage and expiry.Email OTP vs magic linkOne-time codes and magic links both prove you own an address. How each works, their trade-offs and how to test them.