Why does Outlook status say "preparing to send," but never sends?

[kbenbow]

I have Outlook 2003. About once a week (only for the past two weeks) I cannot
send email for a few hours. Messages simply pile up in my Outbox. When I try
to send them individually, the Send/Receive Progress window indicates
"Sending - Completed," the Outlook status line perpetually says "Preparing to
send/receive...." However, I receive emails just fine. When I hover my cursor
over the mail icon in the Taskbar, the message says, "Microsoft Outlook is
synchronizing folders." At all other times, I can send email perfectly.

What is going on with this and how can I turn it off or otherwise fix it?
Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you.

Kim

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Which mail account type are you using?
If you have a virus scanner that integrates with Outlook, disable this
integration and try again.

 

[Charles W Davis]

kbenbow,
Do any of the file sizes exceed your ISPs maximum? If so, you will need to
work offline to delete them from the outbox. File> Work Offline close
Outlook. Open Outlook, delete the offending file. File>Work online..