Summary:
It is obnoxious when you encounter Outlook errors repeatedly when you are sending mails. In this article, we will be focusing on the most common Outlook errors that lead to the improper working of Outlook. If you are facing any problem Outlook due to PST/OST file or any Outlook server errors, this is the go-to guide to understand and quickly fix Outlook errors.
Outlook is one of the most widely used email client software at workplaces. The functionality of Outlook is not just limited to sending and receiving emails, as it offers many more features like managing various types of email accounts, setting up meetings, storing contacts, notes, appointments, etc.
6 Most Common Outlook Errors and Solutions:
In spite of consistent updates by Microsoft, users aren’t free from facing various Outlook issues that hinder their user experience and on rare occasions, it might also lead to loss of important Outlook data. Some of the most common Outlook errors and effective solutions to tackle the Outlook issues are mentioned below:
Common Outlook Issues
1. When You Cannot Open Outlook
4. Outlook Cannot Accessed Due to CRC Error
5. Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed Error
6. Corrupt Outlook Data file (PST & OST File)
1. Unable to open Outlook Error:
Reasons behind the error:
- The main reason for unable to open Outlook error or most commonly known as cannot start Microsoft Outlook error is a corrupted Navigation pane settings file – profilename.xml and here the “profile name” is the name of your Outlook profile.
- MS Outlook runs in compatibility mode
- Using a profile created in an older version of MS Outlook
- Accidental deletion of your Outlook file
- Incorrect uninstallation of Outlook
Symptoms:
- Outlook freezes suddenly while you are working on it
- Simple actions taking a long time to complete
- Abrupt termination of Outlook
Recommended Solutions:
- You can try recovering navigation pane configuration file settings
- Turn off compatibility mode in Outlook
- Microsoft inbox repair tool
- Outlook PST repair tool
Difficulty Level: Easy
Note: If you are facing unable to open Outlook error, go through the descriptive solutions illustrated in the later part of the article.
2. Outlook not responding when opening error:
Reasons behind the error:
- The latest updates are not installed
- Outlook is used by another process
- Third-party add-ins interfere with Outlook
- Your AppData folder is redirected to a network location
- Corrupted or Damaged Outlook
- Antivirus conflicts with Outlook
Symptoms:
- Whenever Outlook is opened, you get an Outlook not responding error
- Outlook stuck on a screen that simply says “Processing”
- Outlook freeze or stop working when you’re opening a file or sending an email message
Recommended Solutions:
- The one best solution to fix this Outlook error is to start Outlook in a safe mode
- Create a new Outlook profile
- Disable add-ins
- Make use of Microsoft inbox repair tool
Difficulty Level: High
Recommended solutions are explained in the section below. If you are looking out for a convenient and simple way to repair the Outlook file, it is suggested to use a safe and trustworthy tool.
SFWare Outlook PST repair tool is designed with an advanced scan engine to easily fix the Outlook errors. It effortlessly fixes the errors and helps in increasing the Outlook performance. Try the trial version now and fix the trouble-causing Outlook errors.
3. Outlook send receive errors:
Reasons behind the error:
- A corrupted Outlook Profile
- Automatic SMTP settings are not picked up correctly
- Outlook profile is configured incorrectly
- Suspicious emails in the mailbox
Symptoms:
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- The server could not be found
- Outlook profile is configured incorrectly
- Outlook is unable to connect to the proxy server
- Task reported error 0x8004210A – “the operation timed out while waiting for a response from the receiving server”
- Task ‘SMTP server name – Sending and Receiving’ reported error (0x80042109) and error 0x800ccc0f, 0x800ccc1a, 0x800ccc92, 0x8004210a are the few common Outlook errors that come under the list of Outlook send receive errors.
Recommended Solutions:
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- Disable Antivirus
- Check and remove suspicious emails from Outlook inbox
- Run Outlook email client in Safe Mode
- Use ScanPST.exe for the reconstruction of the damaged Outlook data file
- Repair PST files using Outlook PST repair tool
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
Note: Solutions to Outlook send receive errors are given in a more descriptive way in the upcoming section.
4. Outlook cannot access CRC error (Cyclic Redundancy Check)
Reasons behind the error:
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- Outlook CRC error is caused due to the problem in hard disk
- A corrupted hard disk leads to the corruption of Outlook files existing on it
- Virus or malware affect Outlook files and makes it inaccessible
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Symptoms:
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- File path\filename.pst could not be accessed. Data error. Cyclic redundancy check
Data error (cyclic redundancy check) - This error occurs due to PST file corruption and you will not be able to view Outlook messages
- File path\filename.pst could not be accessed. Data error. Cyclic redundancy check
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Recommended Solutions:
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- Fixing data CRC error in Outlook with chkdsk command
- Fixing data CRC error in Outlook with scanpst.exe tool
- Using Outlook Repair tool
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Difficulty Level: High
Note: Steps to execute these solutions are described in the coming section. Follow the write-up and try fixing the Outlook CRC error.
chkdsk is a system tool that is used to validate the file system integrity and fix logical file system errors. Command-line execution requires a high knowledge MS-DOS a single line error in execution leads to the complicated run in command prompt.
Instead of risking your Outlook data by using chkdsk, it is recommended to make use of a safe and secure Outlook PST repair tool. SFWare Outlook PST Repair tool is the more effective and optimum way to repair PST files.
5. Outlook data cannot be accessed error:
Reasons behind the error:
- Corrupt or incorrect Outlook profile configuration
- Change in location of Outlook data file
- Error in updating Outlook
Symptoms:
- This is a common MAPI error and it occurs when no communication is set up to the exchange server during send/receive operation.
- 0x8004010F: Outlook data file cannot be accessed
- 0x8004010F: The operation failed. An object could not be found
- Outlook data cannot be accessed error will prevent you from sending or receiving any emails so resolving it at the earliest should be your first priority.
Recommended Solutions:
- Create a new Outlook profile
- Use Restore previous version
- Use ScanPST.exe, a Microsoft inbox repair tool
- Use Outlook PST repair tool
Difficulty level: High
Note: You can find the steps to create a new profile in the later section of this article and try resolving the Outlook error.
6. Outlook Data file (OST/PST) corruption:
Reasons behind the error:
- Incompatible Outlook add-ins
- Bad sectors on the hard drive
- Unexpected Power failures
- Abrupt termination of Outlook
- Interruption due to network connectors
- Virus attacks
Symptoms:
- Whenever the OST or PST file is opened the error message pops up stating – Errors have been detected in the file. Quit Outlook and all mail-enabled applications.
Recommended Solutions:
- Microsoft Outlook has an Inbox repair tool (ScanPST.exe) to repair the corruption occurred in Outlook files
- An efficient Outlook PST repair tool
Difficulty Level: High
Above mentioned are the most common Outlook errors that cause trouble in easy accessing of Outlook. The next section holds the precise descriptions of the solutions discussed in the previous section that aids in fixing the Outlook issues effectively.
Each method has its own significance to troubleshoot Outlook problems. Go through each method cautiously to fix the Outlook errors.
9 Simple Methods to fix Outlook errors:
Here is the quick solution to fix any kind of Outlook errors. The main advantage of having this method is, the tool works on a copy of the corrupted Outlook data file and hence, it keeps the integrity of Outlook data.
SFWare Outlook PST repair tool is used to repair any Outlook data files from different Outlook versions and also helps in fixing the Outlook errors such as Outlook not implemented error, output indexing issue, Outlook not synchronizing issue, etc.
1. Most Recommended Way to Fix Outlook Errors
Download and install the SFWare Repair PST tool. Launch the application.
Step 1: The main screen displays three options-
Open PST File: Helps in locating the default location of your PST file
Select PST File: If the PST location is known, provide the PST file path manually.
Find PST Files: If you are unaware of PST file location, go with this option.
Step 2: Select Normal Scan or Smart Scan from the next screen
Normal Scan: Choose this option when the severity of Outlook error that has lead to PST file corruption is minor
Smart scan: Select this option when the severity of Outlook file corruption is high or when Normal Scan fails to fix the Outlook error
Give the destination path to save the repaired Outlook file.
Step 3: Click on Repair option to fix Outlook errors by repairing PST file
Step 4: After completion of the repair process, preview all the recovered Outlook items and see if you have recovered lost Outlook data items lost due to any of the above-mentioned Outlook errors.
Step 5: If you are satisfied by the results, get the activated version of the software
2. Fix Outlook Error by Starting Outlook in safe mode:
In safe mode, Outlook starts without loading the add-ins. To run Outlook in the safe mode, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Type “Outlook.exe /safe” in the search box << Enter
Step 2: A message “user wants to start Outlook in safe mode” will appear. Click Yes. Or you can make use of Outlook.exe
Step 3: Right-click on “Outlook.exe /safe”<< Click on ” Open”
Note: While processing if account credentials are asked, enter your password and choose “Accept”.
If Outlook works without receiving an error message in safe mode, there might be a problem with the add-ins. Check out the next method to solve the add-ins problem in Outlook.
3. Disable add-ins:
Step 1: Open Outlook, File<< Option <<add-ins
Step 2: Select “COM Add-ins” in the Manage box, at the bottom of the window and click on Go button
Step 3: List of the Add-ins working with Outlook is displayed. Deselect all of them and click OK.
Step 4: Restart the Outlook
4. Recover navigation pane setting file
Step 1: Go to Start menu << Run Command << Type Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
Step 2: Enter OK << Restart Computer
After performing the above steps, Outlook launches automatically. If you encounter the Outlook error again, try deleting XML file that stores the navigation pane settings by executing the below steps:
Step 1: Enter %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook in the search field on Windows
Step 2: Select Outlook<< Find and delete the Outlook.xml file.
5. Turn off compatibility mode in Outlook
Note: Outlook 2016 doesn’t have a Compatibility tab.
Step 1: Type Outlook.exe in the search field of Windows
Step 2: Right-click on Outlook.exe, and then click Properties
Step 3: Select Compatibility tab << Clear run this program in compatibility mode for checkbox
Step 4: Click Ok and Restart the Computer and check for cannot open Microsoft Outlook error
If this method doesn’t work, then search for Outlook files and select restore previous versions.
6. Restore previous version of PST file
Previous versions are copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup that Windows automatically saves as part of a restore point.
Step 1: Type “Outlook.exe” in the Windows search field.
Step 2: Right-click on Outlook.exe << Click on “Restore previous versions”
This method only works if you have created a restore point. If you have no backup created, then restoring the previous version won’t be a helpful procedure. All you can do is repair the Outlook data file with the help of an inbox repair tool or go for an efficient Outlook repair PST tool.
7. Create a new Outlook Profile
· In Outlook, select File << Account Settings
· Choose E-mail << New.
Auto Account Setup:
· Open Outlook application and click on the file
· Click on the add account by default you will see auto account setup
· Enter asked credentials and click on next
· Outlook will automatically configure and log you on to your email account
Manual Account Setup:
· Steps are similar to auto account setup, click on the file and add account
· In the bottom click on manual account setup << Next
· Enter IMAP and POP details along with your details and click on Next
· Click on next to complete the setup and log on to email account
8. Fixing data CRC error in Outlook with chkdsk command
Note: This method works only to fix CRC error and should not be used for any other Outlook errors.
Step 1: Go to search bar and type cmd. Run the application
Step 2: Type “chkdsk disk name: /f” and press enter. Disk name refers to the disk that is chosen to run for scanning.
In case of error “Access Denied as you do not have sufficient privileges. You have to invoke the utility running in an elevated mode” occurs –
Step 3: Go to the initial step and click on “Run as Administrator”.
Step 4: Input “chkdsk disk name: /f” and press enter.
Step 5: After process gets completed, close chkdsk and restart the computer.
9. Repair Outlook Error Using the Inbox repair tool
Scanpst.exe is used to analyze and recognize problems in PST files. Scan.pst only looks at the personal folder files to determine whether data has been corrupted or not.
Step 1: Locate and run the inbox repair tool. Next, Browse or provide a folder path where the PST file is saved.
Folder path- C:\Program Files (x86) \Microsoft Office\root\Office16
Quick Note: The above path applies to Office 2016 and Office 365. If you’re using Outlook 2013, use the path: C:\Program Files (x86) \Microsoft Office\Office15.
In case of running an older version of the application, change “Office15” in the path to “Office14” for Outlook 2010 and “Office13” for Outlook 2007 in the path.
Step 2: Then, click on Start to initiate the scanning process to repair PST file Outlook
Step 3: Finally, click on the Repair button to fix trouble-causing Outlook error
Inbox repair tool works with respect to minor damage or corruption on a data file in Outlook. If the Outlook PST or OST files are severely damaged, the Inbox repair tool cannot repair the files. Sometimes, the files recovered post repairing Outlook might get corrupted due to improper execution.
In such situations, it is recommended to use an effective Outlook repair tool to get access back to your Outlook files and fix Outlook issues.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed all the best possible solutions that will help resolve the most common Microsoft Outlook errors easily. In case you fail to fix the Outlook issues with the help of manual methods, you can always rely on the complete automated and safe method i.e to make use of the SFWare PST repair tool.
SFWare also provides 24/7 technical assistance in case of any problems faced by users while trying to fix Outlook issues.
If you were successful in fixing Outlook errors that are mentioned above in this article, do share your thoughts in the comment section below and share the word on social media.