Outlook Can’t Connect to Server Error: Troubleshooting Guide

The Microsoft Outlook application needs continuous connectivity with the mailbox server to send and receive emails.

Sometimes, you encounter an issue when the Outlook fails to connect to the server and throws the following error:

‘Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot Open Outlook Window. The set of folders cannot be opened. The file C:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\abc@xyz.com–Profile.ost cannot be accessed.

Make sure that you connect to Microsoft Exchange at least once, prior you use your Outlook data file (.ost).

This error may prevent you from sending and receiving new emails, thus impacting your communication and workflow. There are various reasons that can lead to this error in Outlook. Below, we will look into the reasons for the Outlook cannot connect to server issue and the solutions to resolve the issue.

Reasons for Outlook cannot Connect to Server Error

Outlook may fail to connect to the mailbox server due to the following reasons:

Issues with network connectivity
Maintenance and server downtime
Synchronization issues between Outlook data file and mailbox on the server
Damaged Outlook data (OST) file
Deleted or disabled mailbox on the mailbox server
Outdated Outlook or Windows operating system (OS)
Incompatible or faulty add-ins
Corrupt Outlook Profile

The Methods to Fix the Outlook Cannot Connect to Server Error

Go through the below modes and follow them to fix the Outlook cannot connect to the server error.

Method 1 – Reboot and Verify Internet Connection

Restarting the system sometimes fixes minor issues with the operating system and other applications that might be causing the Outlook connection error. So, restart the system and check if the issue is resolved or not.

If not, you can check your internet connection as poor or disruptive internet connection may cause such problems. For this, open a web browser to check if internet connection is working or not.

On the occurrence of any trouble, reboot the router or contact your internet service provider to resolve the issue.

Method 2 – Update your Outlook

If your Outlook application is not updated, then it may also cause connectivity problems. To resolve the issue, check and install latest updates in Outlook. Follow the below steps to update Outlook:

Launch your Outlook.
Go to ‘File’ and then pick ‘Office Account’ or ‘Account’ (based on your Outlook version).

Choose ‘Update Options’ on the ‘Product Information’, and then tap on ‘Update Now’.

Latest Outlook updates will get installed if available, and if you do not see the Update Now option in Outlook, you can download and install the Windows updates.

Method 3 – Disable Faulty Add-ins

The outlook with fault or incompatibility can create problems such as connectivity error in Outlook.

The issue can be resolved if you remove or disable the faulty add-ins, and follow the steps given below to disable the add-ins:

Go to your Windows system, and press ‘Start’.

Open the ‘Run’ dialog box, enter outlook /safe, and then tap OK.

This will open Outlook in safe mode. Then, navigate to the ‘File’ option and click ‘Options’.

You’ll see the ‘Outlook Options’ window, where you have to click on ‘Add-ins’ in the left pane.
Then, in the right pane, select COM Add-ins in the Manage field, and click on Go.

The ‘COM Add-ins’ window will open, where you have to uncheck all the add-ins, and then click ‘OK’.
Now, restart your Outlook in normal mode.

If the error is resolved, this means some faulty add-ins were causing the issue, which means you can now allow one add-in at a time and check for the Outlook error.

This will help you locate the problematic add-in and then you can remove it permanently to resolve the issue.

Method 4 – Use SSL (Encrypted) Channel

If your organization has a policy to not allow connection between Outlook and the server if it is not secure or encrypted, then Outlook may fail to connect to the mailbox server. In this case, you need to contact your server administrator to know whether Outlook requires SSL or encrypted connection. If required, then check and change the settings in Outlook.

Method 5 – Use MSARA Tool

Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant [MSARA] tool can help you to diagnose and troubleshoot various issues in Outlook, including the connectivity issue.

Running a SARA tool can fix the issue, and below are the steps you can follow to run this tool:

Download the SARA tool and install it.

Launch the tool. Under ‘Which app are you having problem with’, choose the Outlook option and then click ‘Next’.

In the ‘Select the problem you’re having’ window, choose ‘Outlook keeps saying “Trying to Connect…” or “Disconnected”.

Now, click on ‘Next’ and then select ‘Yes’.

Then, complete the suggested changes to resolve the Outlook cannot connect to the server error.

Method 6 – Rebuild or Recreate the OST File

Outlook stores all the email data in the Outlook Data File (OST), however, the Outlook data file can become corrupt or damaged, which can cause the ‘Outlook cannot connect to the server’ error.

In this instance, you can attempt to rebuild or recreate the OST file, following the steps given below:

Start with opening Outlook and then going to Account Settings > Account Settings.

On the ‘Account Settings’ page, click on the ‘Data Files’ tab, and then select the email account that is causing the issue.
Now, click on ‘Open File Location’.
Select the OST file and move it to another location or rename the file with .bak extension.

Now, open Outlook. A new OST file will be created and the mail items will get synchronized from the server.

Once you have recreated the OST file, consider checking for any missing emails and other items.

If there are any, then use an OST to PST converter software, such as Stellar Converter for OST to extract the missing items from the backup OST file and save them in PST file.

Next, you can import this PST file into your Outlook account, and missing items will be restored safely.

Method 7 – Create a New Outlook Profile

A corrupted or damaged Outlook profile may cause the Outlook cannot connect to the server error.

In that case, you can consider creating a new Outlook profile, and the steps are give below:

Head to the ‘Control Panel’ on your system, search for ‘Mail’, and then tap on it.

Next, in the ‘Mail Setup – Outlook’ dialog box, tap on the ‘Show Profiles’.

Now, click on ‘Add’.

Fill in a name for the profile in the ‘Profile Name’ box and tap OK.

Configure your email account in the new profile. Then, click ‘Finish’.
Open your Outlook and select the newly created Outlook profile, and then make sure to check if your Outlook is connecting to the server.

Method 8 – Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Office

If Microsoft Outlook or Office program files are damaged or corrupted, it may also result in connectivity errors. In this case, you need to repair or re-install the MS Office program. Follow the steps given below to repair MS Office installation:

Now, open the ‘Control Panel’, pick Programs and Features, and click on ‘Uninstall a program’.

Now, pick up Microsoft Office and tap on ‘Change’.

Select ‘Repair’ from the given options and then click on ‘Continue’.
Follow the wizard to complete the process.

Go to your Microsoft Outlook and review if the ‘Outlook cannot connect to server’ error is resolved, and if in case not, then you can remove MS Office and then install it again.

Conclusion

Various reasons can be taken into account that can lead to the ‘Outlook cannot connect to the server’ error.

You can follow the troubleshooting methods mentioned in this article to resolve the error. In case the OST file is damaged, then recreate the OST file after taking its backup. If there are any items that are missing or not synchronized, then use an advanced OST to PST converter software, like Stellar Converter for OST to extract the missing items from backup OST file. This tool is exceptional when it comes to extracting and restoring mail items from orphaned or inaccessible OST file.

Priyam Ghosh

Tech and Internet Writer