HOW CAN YOU FIX WHEN OUTLOOK CANNOT CONNECT TO THE SERVER?

The outlook may be a personal information manager which is primarily wont to fetch emails and is a component of Microsoft Office Suite. What makes Outlook different from other email managers is that it can store notes, includes a calendar, and also a journal. Users may additionally use it for web surfing. 

Despite its popularity, there are several instances where users aren't ready to connect Outlook to the respected server or get their email active. Below we are going to discuss every possible method that will allow you to fix this problem on your Windows PC, irrespective of the cause.


Why Outlook is Not Connecting to Server?


The outlook may fail to connect to the Exchange server due to various reasons, such as:

  • Connectivity issues

  • OST synchronization errors

  • Damaged OST file

  • An eliminated or disabled mailbox from the Exchange server

  • Corrupted Microsoft Office or Outlook program files

  • Corrupt Outlook profile

  • Incompatible or faulty add-ins


Steps for Resolving the Outlook Cannot connect to Server problem


You can resolve the Outlook not connecting to server problems in Windows by following the given steps.


Method 1: Start the System again and Check Internet Connection


A simple system restart can sometimes do magic! It can solve the problems with Windows and other applications. So, begin by restarting your system. Then check the web connection and begin Outlook.

If you continue to see an equivalent error message of Outlook cannot connect to server issue, for the low subsequent method.


Method 2: Disable Add-ins


Incompatible or faulty Outlook add-ins may prevent or disrupt Outlook reference to the Exchange server. To check if the issue is because of a faulty add-in, follow the steps:


  • Press Windows + R keys, type Outlook /safe, and press the Enter key or click ‘OK.’ this may open the Outlook in safe mode.

  • Click File > Options.

  • Click ‘Add-Ins‘ then click the ‘Go…‘button beside Manage: COM Add-Ins.

  • Uncheck all Add-Ins then click ‘OK.’

  • Restart Outlook in normal mode.


If the problem is solved, activate each add-in, one at a time, and observe Outlook for the issue. This will assist you to find and take away the faulty add-ins.

However, if the error still appears once you open Outlook, follow the subsequent method.


Method 3: Create a New Outlook Profile


The outlook may fail to connect to the Exchange server due to authentication failure if your profile gets damaged. In such a case, you'll create a replacement Outlook profile to repair the error. The steps are as follows:


  • Open instrument panel and search ‘Mail.’ Then click on the ‘Mail option.

  • Press ‘Show Profiles’ and after that press ‘Add….‘

  • Put down the Profile Name and press on ‘OK.’

  • Configure your new profile together with your email account and click on ‘Finish. ‘

  • This may create a replacement Outlook profile.


Start with opening Outlook, select the new Outlook profile, and set it up. Then examine if you will get permission for the Outlook and mailbox items from the OST file. If not, head to the subsequent method.


Method 4: Reinstall Microsoft Office


Damaged or corrupt Microsoft Outlook or Office program files also can cause connectivity problems. You can solve the issue by repairing or reinstalling the MS Office program.

Steps to repair MS Office installation:


  • Open the instrument panel and click on Uninstall a program.

  • Select Microsoft Office program then click ‘Change‘.

  • Select ‘Repair’ then click ‘Continue’ to repair the MS Office.


Now try opening MS Outlook. If this doesn't resolve “Outlook cannot connect to server issue” you'll try reinstalling the MS Office.


Method 5: Rebuild or Recreate OST file


If the above solutions didn't work for you, try recreating the Outlook file, i.e., OST. You can do that by either deleting, moving, or renaming the present OST file. By default, the OST file is found at C:\Users\UserName\AppDataLocal\Microsoft\Outlook\. However, the OST file location may vary with the Outlook version.


Method 6: Turning Off Work Offline


Outlook has a feature of working offline. This mode is typically turned on by people once they don’t have internet access and still want to form use of Outlook and either check old emails or work on their workspace. In Offline mode, Outlook will not connect to any servers nor fetch any emails even if the internet is available. Here during this solution, we'll navigate to Outlook settings and confirm that employment Offline mode is turned off.


  1. Launch Outlook on your computer.

  2. Now, click on the tab of Send/Receive and look for the button of Work Offline.

  3. If the option is grayed out, it means that the mode is active. Click on it once to deactivate it. Now try connecting and see if the difficulty is resolved.


Last Words


The Outlook cannot connect to server error may render your Outlook account useless and end in a knowledge loss situation, if not resolved. The error prevents you from accessing the Outlook account and mailbox items because it fails to attach to the Exchange server. We have discussed various methods in this post to troubleshoot the Outlook cannot connect to the server error.



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