# FedEx Out for Delivery but Not Delivered: Next Steps > If FedEx tracking shows out for delivery, wait until 8 p.m., check the new status for an updated date, and open an online support ticket after a 1-day delay. - **Author**: Charles Helms - **Published**: 2020-08-07 - **Updated**: 2026-10-23 - **Category**: fedex - **URL**: https://trackingadvice.com/fedex-out-for-delivery-but-not-delivered/ --- When FedEx tracking shows out for delivery, your package was loaded onto a delivery vehicle for that day's route. This status does not mean your package is lost. Standard residential deliveries run until 8 p.m., so wait until the delivery window ends. If no package arrives by 8 p.m., check the updated tracking status. ## What FedEx "out for delivery" actually means FedEx tracking definitions differ between the United States and Canada on whether a package is loaded onto a truck or waiting to be loaded. **Out for delivery means FedEx scanned your package for today's route. It is not a promise that your stop happens today.** Under the [FedEx United States tracking guide](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking/guide-for-tracking-managing-deliveries.html), "out for delivery" means your package was scanned by a package handler and loaded onto a delivery vehicle. In contrast, the [FedEx Canada tracking FAQ](https://www.fedex.com/en-ca/contact-us/faq/track-packages/package-status/out-for-delivery.html) states the status means the package was scanned by a package handler and is either ready to be loaded onto a FedEx truck or is already out for delivery. A scan is not a doorbell. Our [FedEx carrier hub](https://trackingadvice.com/carriers/fedex/) has the rest of the FedEx guides. FedEx out for delivery but not delivered A delivery date is not added until FedEx has physical possession of the package. Tracking provides a scheduled delivery date and a 4-hour estimated delivery window when available. | Service category | Operating days | Delivery hours | | --------------------------- | ----------------- | ----------------- | | Residential (non-expedited) | Monday-Sunday | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | | FedEx expedited services | Varies by service | Varies by service | _Verified on the carrier's website._ Check [how late FedEx delivers by service](https://trackingadvice.com/how-late-does-fedex-deliver-packages-delivery-hours/) for specific delivery commitments. ## Timeline: what to do and when Here is what to do at each point after a FedEx out for delivery scan. **Wait until 8 p.m. on the delivery day before taking action.** | When | What to do | Why | | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Same day before 8 p.m. | Wait for the delivery window to close | Residential deliveries run until 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. | | After 8 p.m. with no delivery | Check tracking for an updated status | FedEx says "by end of day" means before 8 p.m. | | Next morning | Check tracking for a renewed scan | A new scan or a "Delivery updated" status shows FedEx's new date. | | Delayed 1 day or more | Start a support ticket under Manage Delivery | FedEx allows U.S. customers to open tickets after a 1-day delay. | | Tracking says Delivered but no box | Review delivery photos and report a missing package | The photo shows where the driver left it; the report gives you a case number. | | Door tag left | Text "follow" and the door tag number to 48773 | The tag shows the next attempt date or where to pick up the package. | | Status says returning to shipper | Contact the shipper immediately | The package reached maximum attempts or was recalled. | _Verified on the carrier's website._ Out for delivery is not lost. Slow is not lost either. ## What the next FedEx status tells you **The FedEx status that replaces out for delivery after 8 p.m. tells you whether FedEx rescheduled the package, hit a problem, or is sending it back.** | Status shown | FedEx's meaning | Your next step | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | | Out for delivery (still, next day) | Scanned and loaded onto a delivery vehicle. | If the date has slipped 1 day, start a support ticket. | | Delivery updated | Due to a request or delay, we've updated the shipment's estimated delivery date. | Check the revised date on tracking. | | [Delivery now pending](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/faqs/receiving/tracking-questions/delivery-now-pending.html) / Scheduled delivery pending | Delivery time changed because of a delay. | Track updates and open a ticket after 1 day. | | Exception | Delayed due to unavoidable circumstances such as extreme weather or customs delays. | Check tracking details for specific reasons. | | We tried to deliver | Delivery failed on this attempt. | Look for a door tag and check reattempt plans. | | Returning to FedEx facility | Due to an issue during delivery, the package is on its way back to a FedEx facility. The shipper or recipient approved this action. | Ask the seller whether they changed the delivery. | | Returning to shipper | The shipper has recalled the package, or FedEx has reached the maximum number of delivery attempts. | Contact sender for a refund or reshipment. | | Delivered | Your package has been delivered. | Check delivery photos and report if missing. | _Verified on the carrier's website._ See our [tracking status meanings guide](https://trackingadvice.com/tracking-status-meanings/) and [FedEx tracking not updating guide](https://trackingadvice.com/fedex-tracking-not-updating/). Free [FedEx Delivery Manager](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/delivery-manager.html) features include alerts, map views, picture proof, [redirecting packages already on their way](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/faqs/receiving/tracking-questions/reroute-my-package.html) to retail locations like FedEx Office, Walgreens, or Dollar General, and vacation holds up to 14 days. ## How to start a FedEx support ticket for a late package **You can open a FedEx support ticket directly from the tracking page once a domestic shipment is delayed by at least 1 day.** Follow these steps to submit a support ticket online: 1. Enter your tracking number on the [FedEx tracking page](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking.html). 2. Select Manage Delivery on the tracking details page. 3. Click Start Support Ticket (available if eligible and delayed by at least 1 day). 4. Sign in to a FedEx account or use guest authentication. 5. Complete the form to receive updates by SMS or email. 6. Check status, add documents, or close the case via Manage Ticket on tracking, or on the [FedEx customer support page](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support.html). | Channel | Contact point | How to reach an agent | | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | | Phone Support | 1.800.GoFedEx (1.800.463.3339) | Say "Representative" or press 0 | | Support Ticket | [FedEx tracking page](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking.html) | Manage Delivery, then Start Support Ticket | | Claims Portal | [FedEx claims page](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/claims.html) | File online for lost or damaged goods | _Verified on the carrier's website._ To speak directly with an agent by phone, see [how to reach a person at FedEx](https://trackingadvice.com/how-do-i-speak-to-a-human-at-fedex/). ## If tracking says delivered but the package is not there When FedEx tracking says delivered but no package is at your door, FedEx's own steps run from the delivery photo to a case number. **Check FedEx picture proof of delivery first to see where the driver left the package.** Follow these steps to report a missing package: 1. Check the free [picture proof of delivery](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking/picture-proof-delivery.html) using your tracking number. 2. Enter the tracking or reference number on the [FedEx tracking page](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking.html). 3. Open Manage Delivery and select Report Missing Package. 4. Enter the original delivery address if not signed in. 5. Confirm you checked everywhere the package might be. 6. Provide contact info, select SMS or email updates, and submit to get a case number. (Write the case number down. You will need it if this becomes a claim.) FedEx's two help pages differ on who can use Report Missing Package. The [FedEx missing package FAQ](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/faqs/receiving/tracking-questions/fedex-says-delivered-but-no-package.html) gives the steps above and lists an online claim as a second option. The [FedEx expedited-services FAQ](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/faqs/sending/tracking-questions/how-to-dispute-delivery.html) says Report Missing Package is for expedited services and tells standard service customers (Ground, Home Delivery) to contact customer support instead. For full recovery steps, see our guide for shipments marked [delivered but not received](https://trackingadvice.com/fedex-says-my-package-was-delivered-but-it-wasnt/), or see what to do when [the photo shows another door](https://trackingadvice.com/fedex-delivered-to-wrong-address/). ## If FedEx left a door tag instead A FedEx door tag confirms that a driver reached the address but could not complete the delivery. **Drivers leave a door tag after the first failed attempt, displaying a door tag number (DT plus 12 digits) for tracking.** Text "follow" and the door tag number to 48773 (example: follow DT999999999999) for text updates. If marked as a first attempt, the driver indicates when they will try again. You can complete and sign the form on the tag and leave it on your door. If the driver checked "Final delivery attempt," your package is at a FedEx location. [FedEx's door-tag answer](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/faq/delivery-manager.html) says the location holds it for 5 business days, but its tracking guide says up to 7 days. Plan on 5 business days. Bring your tracking number and a government-issued photo ID to pick it up. Picture proof of an attempt is free on the tracking site. Review tag procedures in our [FedEx door tag guide](https://trackingadvice.com/fedex-door-tag/) and on the official [FedEx door tag page](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/delivery-manager/door-tag.html). ## Holiday peak 2026: when the next attempt can happen FedEx closes on three days this holiday season: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. **FedEx cannot retry a missed delivery on a closed day; the next attempt comes on the next day FedEx operates.** | Date | Calendar day | Operational status | Service details | | ----------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | November 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Modified service | Early on-call and drop box pickups in some areas | | November 26, 2026 | Thursday (Thanksgiving) | Closed | Closed | | November 27, 2026 | Friday | Modified service | Early on-call and drop box pickups in some areas | | December 24, 2026 | Thursday (Christmas Eve) | Modified service | Early on-call and drop box pickups in some areas; modified Ground pickups | | December 25, 2026 | Friday (Christmas Day) | Closed | Closed | | December 31, 2026 | Thursday (New Year's Eve) | Modified service | Early on-call and drop box pickups in some areas; modified Ground pickups | | January 1, 2027 | Friday (New Year's Day) | Closed | Closed | _Verified on the carrier's website._ The dates come from the [FedEx holiday schedule](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/holiday/last-days-to-ship.html). A package that misses delivery on November 25, December 24 or December 31 cannot arrive the next day, because FedEx is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Review peak dates in our [FedEx holiday shipping schedule](https://trackingadvice.com/fedex-holidays/). ## Can you get a refund when FedEx misses the delivery day? FedEx gives a refund or credit for a late delivery only on the services its money-back guarantee still covers. **The FedEx money-back guarantee is active for select express services but remains suspended for FedEx Ground and Home Delivery.** Effective February 12, 2026, the [FedEx money-back guarantee](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/service-guide/money-back-guarantee.html) applies for U.S. payors to FedEx First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day A.M., the three Overnight Extra Hours services, and listed international services such as International First, International Priority and International Priority Express. The guarantee is for the U.S. payor, the account that paid for shipping, so a buyer whose seller paid should ask the seller. If the package is lost, file an online claim through the [FedEx claims page](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/claims.html). Review claim steps in our [FedEx lost package claim guide](https://trackingadvice.com/fedex-lost-package/). ## Frequently asked questions ### What happens if my package says out for delivery but not delivered? When a package is out for delivery but does not arrive, FedEx did not complete the delivery that day. Check tracking after 8 p.m. to review the new status. FedEx's new delivery date or exception status tells you the next step. ### How late can a FedEx package be out for delivery? Typical FedEx delivery hours for residential addresses are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Expedited delivery times vary by service. Any package scheduled for delivery "by end of day" should arrive before 8 p.m. ### Why is my FedEx package stuck on out for delivery? A package remains stuck on out for delivery when FedEx has not posted a newer scan yet. Under the U.S. definition, the status means the package was loaded onto a delivery vehicle. If the scheduled delivery date slips by 1 day, start a support ticket under Manage Delivery. ### What does "Delivery updated" mean on FedEx tracking? FedEx displays "Delivery updated" when a delay or request leads the carrier to calculate a new estimated delivery date. You can check the new scheduled delivery date on the tracking details page. ### What happens if FedEx is out for delivery then delayed? A status of "Delivery now pending" means FedEx changed the delivery time because of a delay, while an "Exception" status means unavoidable circumstances such as extreme weather or customs delays. Track the package using FedEx Delivery Manager for revised alerts and map tracking. If the domestic delay reaches at least 1 day, open a support ticket under Manage Delivery. ### Can I get a refund if FedEx is late? Eligibility for a refund or credit depends on the specific service and billing account. Effective February 12, 2026, the FedEx money-back guarantee applies for U.S. payors to select express options like Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, and 2Day A.M. The guarantee remains suspended for FedEx Ground and Home Delivery, so buyers whose seller paid should ask the seller.