Why is Microsoft SNDS data not displaying or delayed?
Matthew Whittaker
Co-founder & CTO, Suped
Published 18 Jun 2025
Updated 19 Aug 2025
6 min read
It can be frustrating when your Microsoft SNDS (Smart Network Data Service) data isn't showing up, or when it seems to be stuck on an old date. This tool is crucial for understanding how Microsoft views your sending reputation, so missing data can leave you in the dark about potential deliverability issues. Many senders encounter this problem, and it's rarely a sign that you've done something wrong with your setup. Often, the issue lies on Microsoft's side, or it's due to specific data thresholds not being met.
When SNDS data is missing or delayed, it can trigger concern that your emails aren't reaching their intended recipients on Outlook or Hotmail. While there are legitimate reasons for data gaps, such as low sending volume, it's also a common experience for senders to face unexplained outages or delays in the platform itself. I've personally seen instances where data stops updating for days, only to mysteriously resume later.
Understanding the common culprits behind missing or delayed SNDS data can help you diagnose whether the issue is on your end or if it's a known platform quirk. It's important not to jump to conclusions that your sending reputation has tanked, but rather to methodically check the usual suspects before raising alarms.
Minimum volume and data processing delays
One of the primary reasons you might not see data in SNDS is insufficient sending volume. Microsoft specifies a minimum threshold of email traffic to generate meaningful statistics for an IP address. If you're sending less than 100 emails to Microsoft recipients from a specific IP address in a 24-hour period, data for that IP may not be displayed. This is a common expectation for low-volume senders or during the initial stages of IP warming.
Another factor is the processing time. Even when sufficient volume is sent, SNDS data isn't real-time. It typically takes a few hours for data for a given day to become available after midnight UTC. So, if you're checking early in the day, the data from the previous day might not yet be fully populated. Consistent delays beyond this typical window, however, could indicate a deeper problem.
For IP addresses to even be eligible for SNDS data, they must be correctly registered and validated within your SNDS account. If an IP address isn't properly added, or if its verification has lapsed, you won't see any data for it, regardless of your sending volume. This is a fundamental step that sometimes gets overlooked, especially when new IPs are brought online or account changes occur.
Furthermore, if your domain or IP has recently been added to a major blocklist or blacklist, Microsoft might be outright rejecting or severely throttling your mail, leading to insufficient volume for SNDS to report on. It’s always a good practice to check common email blocklists if you suspect a significant issue with your sending reputation.
Platform outages and account access issues
Beyond technical thresholds, SNDS itself can be prone to outages or bugs. Over the years, senders have frequently reported periods where the portal experiences issues, from login errors to data simply not updating. These are often system-wide problems on Microsoft's side, affecting all users, and are usually resolved without any action needed from senders.
Login issues are a particularly common complaint. Users often face persistent login loops or error messages. In such cases, trying a different browser, an incognito window, or clearing browser cookies can sometimes resolve the problem, allowing you to access your data.
SNDS system outages
Occasionally, Microsoft's SNDS service experiences outages, leading to a complete halt in data updates. These are platform-wide issues, meaning multiple users are affected. In such cases, there's little you can do but wait for Microsoft to resolve the problem. Data during these periods is often not back-populated, meaning you'll have a gap in your historical records.
Beyond SNDS data, other deliverability factors
Even if SNDS data appears normal (e.g., all green), you might still experience deliverability issues to Microsoft inboxes. This highlights that while SNDS provides valuable insight into your IP reputation, it's not the sole factor Microsoft uses to determine inbox placement. Other elements, such as content quality, recipient engagement, and compliance with sender guidelines, play significant roles.
Poor sender practices, like sending to unengaged users, high bounce rates, or spam complaints, can degrade your overall sending reputation, even if your IP isn't explicitly on a public blacklist (or blocklist). Microsoft's internal reputation systems are complex and dynamic, assessing many variables beyond just the raw data in SNDS.
SNDS data vs. inbox placement
IP reputation: SNDS primarily reports on the reputation of your sending IP addresses based on Microsoft's internal metrics, including spam trap hits and complaint rates.
Limited scope: While important, IP reputation is only one piece of the puzzle. Factors like domain reputation, content filtering, and user engagement also heavily influence deliverability.
Other influencing factors
Content quality: Emails that resemble spam, even from reputable IPs, can be junked.
Engagement metrics: Low open rates, high delete-without-reading rates, or frequent complaint rates can negatively impact your sender reputation, regardless of SNDS data.
Troubleshooting missing or delayed SNDS data
If you are experiencing missing or delayed SNDS data, the first step is often patience, especially if your sending volume is low or if it's a known system-wide outage. However, there are proactive steps you can take to ensure your setup is correct and to troubleshoot effectively.
Start by confirming that your IP addresses are correctly registered and verified in your SNDS account. Any change in your sending infrastructure, like adding new IPs or changing email service providers, requires re-registration. Also, monitor your email volume to Microsoft closely. If you're consistently sending below the 100-message threshold, the lack of data might be expected.
For ongoing issues not related to volume, check Microsoft's official sender support channels or email industry forums for announcements about system status. Sometimes, a wider outage is occurring. If the problem persists and isn't a known outage, you may need to reach out to Microsoft support, though direct support for SNDS issues can sometimes be challenging.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Always ensure your IP addresses are correctly registered and verified in SNDS.
Maintain consistent sending volume to Microsoft to ensure data generation.
Regularly check your SNDS account for any warnings or unusual activity.
Keep an eye on Microsoft's official support channels for system status updates.
Common pitfalls
Assuming a lack of data means immediate blacklisting (blocklisting).
Failing to account for the minimum sending volume threshold for data display.
Not checking for known system outages or login issues before troubleshooting.
Over-relying on SNDS data as the only indicator of deliverability performance.
Expert tips
If encountering login errors, try using a different browser or incognito mode to access SNDS.
Remember that SNDS data is typically delayed by several hours, sometimes up to a full day.
Monitor other deliverability metrics beyond SNDS, such as open rates and complaint rates.
Consider that data might not be back-populated after an outage, leading to gaps.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they experienced SNDS client data stopping on the 5th.
2021-12-06 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they observed data up to December 5th as well.
2021-12-06 - Email Geeks
Key takeaways
While encountering missing or delayed data in Microsoft SNDS can be concerning, it's often a transient issue related to system quirks, processing times, or sending volume. Prioritizing correct IP registration, understanding data thresholds, and being aware of potential platform outages are key. Remember that SNDS is a valuable tool, but it's one of many indicators for your overall email deliverability health.
By combining insights from SNDS with other reputation tools and actively monitoring your sending practices, you can maintain strong sender standing and ensure your messages consistently reach the inbox.
Microsoft views your sending reputation, so missing data can leave you in the dark about potential deliverability issues. Many senders encounter this problem, and it's rarely a sign that you've done something wrong with your setup. Often, the issue lies on Microsoft's side, or it's due to specific data thresholds not being met.
