Summary: Outlook is one of the most popular email clients, used by millions of people around the world. However, despite its widespread use, it’s common for users to experience sync issues that can disrupt their productivity and cause frustration. Fortunately, there are several solutions to these problems, and in this article, we’ll explore some effective ways to fix Outlook sync issues quickly and easily. Whether you’re a seasoned Outlook user or new to the platform, our tips will help you get your email back on track and avoid any future issues.
Content Table:
- What causes Outlook sync issues?
- How to fix Outlook sync issues?
- Method 1: Check the Internet connection
- Method 2: Update the Outlook application
- Method 3: Remove faulty Add-in
- Method 4: Recreate Outlook data file
- Method 5: Configure new Outlook profile
- Method 6: Repair corrupt OST file
- Using built-in repair tool
- Using professional repair tool
What Causes Outlook Sync Issues?
Identifying the cause of sync issues is important to effectively fix the problem. By understanding the causes, you can take steps to prevent future issues and ensure a seamless experience. There can be several causes of Outlook sync issues, including:
- Slow internet connection
- Outdated or corrupt Outlook installation
- Incorrect or outdated login credentials
- Incompatible add-ins or plugins
- Anti-virus software or security system settings blocking Outlook.
- Outdated operating system or device drivers
How to Fix Outlook Sync Issues?
Sync issues in Outlook can be frustrating and can disrupt your productivity. However, several ways exist to fix these problems and get your email back on track. By identifying the root cause of the issue and following some troubleshooting steps, you can effectively fix sync issues in Outlook and prevent them from occurring in the future. Below you can find some easy methods to fix Outlook email sync issues.
Method 1: Check the Internet Connection
One of the first steps in fixing Outlook email sync issues is to check your internet connection. A poor or unstable internet connection can cause sync issues, so ensure you have a stable and reliable connection. If you’re using a Wi-Fi connection, try moving closer to your router or restarting it. You can also try using a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable connection. If your internet connection is working fine, but you’re still experiencing sync issues in Outlook, try the other troubleshooting steps outlined in this article.
Method 2: Update the Outlook Application
By updating your Outlook application to the latest version, you can ensure that any bugs or glitches are fixed and that the application runs smoothly. This can help to fix Outlook sync issues and prevent future problems. Here are the steps to update the Outlook application to fix sync issues:
- Open Outlook and click on the File tab in the top left corner of the screen.
- Click on Office Account or Account, depending on your version of Outlook.
- Click on Update Options and then select Update Now. Wait for Outlook to check for available updates.
- If an update is available, click on Update to start the installation process.
- Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
- Once the update is installed, restart Outlook and check to see if the issue is resolved.
Method 3: Remove Faulty Add-in
If the sync issue is still present, try disabling any other add-ins that may be causing the problem. You can also try re-enabling any add-ins you previously disabled to see if they were the cause of the issue. By removing faulty add-ins, you can help ensure that Outlook runs smoothly and prevent future sync issues. Here are the steps to remove a faulty add-in to fix synchronization errors in Outlook:
- Open Outlook and click on the File tab in the top left corner of the screen.
- Click on Options and then select Add-ins from the left-hand menu.
- In the Manage dropdown menu at the bottom of the screen, select COM Add-ins and click on Go.
- Uncheck the box next to any add-ins that you suspect may be causing the sync issue.
- Click OK to save your changes.
- Restart Outlook and check if the issue has been resolved.
Method 4: Recreate Outlook Data File
If a corrupt Outlook data file (OST file) is present, then recreating the OST file may fix sync issues in Outlook. This method creates a new data file from scratch, which can help eliminate any corrupt or damaged data causing the sync issue. Here are the steps to recreate an Outlook data file to fix sync issues:
- Close Outlook and open the Control Panel.
- Click on Mail (or Mail (32-bit) for the 32-bit version of Outlook).
- Click on Show Profiles and then select the profile you are having a sync issue.
- Click on Properties and then select Data Files.
- Click on the data file you want to recreate and then click Open File Location.
- Rename the data file by adding .old to the end of the file name.
- Open Outlook and go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- Click on the Data Files tab and then click on Add.
- Select the type of data file that you want to create (e.g., Outlook Data File) and then click on OK.
- Name the new data file and choose a location to save it in.
- Click on OK to save your changes.
- Restart Outlook and check the issue has been resolved.
Method 5: Configure New Outlook Profile
By configuring a new Outlook profile, you can help to eliminate any corrupt or damaged data that may be causing the sync issue and ensure that Outlook is running smoothly. Here are the steps to configure a new Outlook profile to fix sync issues:
- Close Outlook and open the Control Panel on your computer.
- Click on Mail (or Mail (32-bit) if you’re using a 32-bit version of Outlook).
- Click on Show Profiles and then click on Add.
- Name the new profile and click on OK.
- Follow the prompts to set up the new profile.
Once the new profile is set up, open Outlook and check if the sync issue has been resolved. If the sync issue is resolved in the new profile, you can delete the old profile and continue using the new one.
Method 6: Repair Corrupt OST File
If you’re experiencing sync issues in Outlook, it may be due to a corrupt OST (Offline Outlook Data File) file. The OST file allows you to access your email and other data while offline, and syncs with the server when you go online again. A corrupt OST file can cause sync issues, but fortunately, it can be repaired. Below we will discuss a couple of solutions for how to fix Outlook email sync issues.
Using built-in repair tool
The ScanPST.exe tool is a useful built-in tool in Outlook that can help to repair corrupt OST files and fix sync issues. Here are the steps to repair a corrupt OST file using the ScanPST.exe tool:
- Close Outlook and navigate to the location of the exe tool on your computer.
Note: The location of the ScanPST.exe tool may vary depending on the version of Outlook that you are using. Here are the default locations of the ScanPST.exe tool for some common versions of Outlook:
- Outlook 2019: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
- Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
- Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
- Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
- Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
Please note that if you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, the ScanPST.exe tool may be in the Program Files folder instead of the Program Files (x86) folder.
- Double-click on the exe file to open it.
- In the Enter the name of the file you want to scan field, enter the path, and file name of the OST file that you want to repair.
Note: You can click on the Browse button to locate the file if you’re not sure of its location.
- Click on the Start button to begin the scan.
- If errors are found, click on the Repair button to begin the repair process.
- Once the repair is complete, open Outlook and check if the sync issue has been resolved.
Note: It’s important to note that the repair process may take some time, and you may need to repeat it several times to fully resolve the issue.
Using professional repair tool
If the ScanPST.exe tool is unable to repair your corrupt OST file or if you’re facing other issues with the tool, you may need to use a professional repair tool to fix the problem. One such tool is the SFWare PST Repair Tool, which is designed to repair corrupt PST and OST files in a simple and effective manner. Below we discuss how to repair corrupt OST files using the SFWare PST Repair Tool.
- Download and install the SFWare PST Repair Tool on your computer.
- Launch the software and select an option from the screen,
- Open PST File – If you know the location of the file.
- Find PST File – To search for the Outlook data files.
- Select Outlook Profile – If you want to repair multiple files.
- Browse and select the corrupt OST file that you want to repair and click Next.
- Choose the scanning method you want to use –
- Normal Scan – For a low level of corruption.
- Smart Scan – When the Normal Scan is not enough.
- Select the location where you want to save the repaired OST file.
- Click on the Repair button to begin the repair process.
- Once the repair process is complete, preview the repaired OST file to ensure all data is restored.
- Save the repaired OST file to the desired location.
Note: Make sure to activate the software to save the repaired files.
Conclusion
Experiencing sync issues with your Outlook can be a frustrating experience that can negatively impact your productivity. However, it is possible to diagnose and fix these issues so that you can get back to using Outlook without any problems. We have explored some of the most common causes of Outlook sync issues and discussed some methods that you can use to fix them.