Fix Outlook Errors in Windows 10

Vikas Medhekar Windows, Windows 10

Microsoft’s popular email client Outlook sometimes fails to synchronize and send/ receive emails with an error message. This article outlines various methods that can help the user overcome the troublesome Outlook issue in Windows 10.

Sweep the System Cache

Sometimes, a clogged to death system cache results in errors which hold back the user from easily performing their routine computing tasks. It’s in your best interest to swiftly fix these issues at the earliest.

Clean up the System Cache

ST Cleaner follows Google Software Principles

 

Server Issues

There may be an issue while establishing a connection between your computer and the email server using a remote procedure call, commonly abbreviated as RPC. Try again after some time, for that might do the trick. If the problem still persists, contact the email service provider. If you’re using you a premium email ID with a shared hosting account plan, contact the hosting company for technical support.

 

Incorrect Email Account Credentials

You might have possibly entered an incorrect email address, password and IMAP information that would have failed the email account authentication process. Verify your account log-in credentials and then try again.

  1. Click the Tools menu, and then Account Settings.
  2. Choose your active account, and then click the Change button.
  3. Verify all the information. Make any necessary changes and then apply them.

 

Load Outlook in Safe Mode

Outlook Safe Mode prevents loading of faulty add-ins as well as customization components that are loaded normally. If you suspect the error occurred after the installation of an add-in, or if one of the add-ins is not functioning properly, simply load Outlook in the Safe Mode.

  1. Click Start and then All Apps | Microsoft Office | Outlook.
  2. Press and continue to hold down the Ctrl key.
  3. A new prompt will appear within a few seconds and you’ll be asked to confirm starting Microsoft Office Outlook in the Safe Mode. Confirm it.

Alternatively, you can load it in Safe Mode using the Run dialog.

  1. Press Windows Key + R.
  2. Type outlook.exe /safe in the Run dialog box.
  3. Click OK.

 

Investigate Faulty Add-Ins

Use the Trust Center to get the list of all installed add-ins, including all Microsoft and Non-Microsoft add-ins that load whenever you open Microsoft Office Outlook. Disable all suspected add-ins.

  1. Click the Tools menu.
  2. Choose Trust Center.
  3. Click Add-Ins.
  4. You will now be seeing a list of installed add-ins on your screen.
  5. Under the Active Application Add-Ins you will get the list of all currently activated add-ins. Disabled add-ins will be moved to the Inactive Application Add-Ins category that consists of add-ins presently installed on your machine but aren’t currently enabled.
  6. Close the dialog.

 

Restore Default App Configs

By renaming or deleting the OUTCMD.DAT file, you revert Outlook to its default settings, menu items, toolbars, and user preferences. This should be very helpful in solving the riddle.

  1. Exit Microsoft Office Outlook. Make sure you close its system tray icon too.
  2. Press Windows Key + R; type AppData and click OK.
  3. Locate the following folder:
  • ..\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
  1. Rename OUTCMD.DAT as OUTCMD.DAT.BAK

 

Repair Corrupt Profile

You might have been using Outlook for a long time by now. And chances are that you might have customized its settings, user preferences in such a way that cause cross-version compatibility issues. Restore corrupt profile settings to factory defaults to reverse any damage.

  1. Click the Tools menu and then choose Account Settings.
  2. Click the Email tab.
  3. Choose your active profile, and then click the Repair button.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. Quit Microsoft Office Outlook and restart it again.

 

Turn Off AppData Folder Redirection

Microsoft Office Outlook data (that includes your email signatures and custom Dictionary data) is stored in the AppData directory. Diagnose any problems pertaining to network redirection as follows:

  1. Quit Microsoft Office Outlook, including its system tray icon.
  2. In the Search Box on  the Taskbar, type RegEdit
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Locate the following subkey:
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER | Software | Microsoft | Windows | CurrentVersion | Explorer | User Shell Folders
  1. In the right panel, double-click AppData subkey and override the existing value with %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming
  2. Click OK.
  3. Quit the Registry editing utility and then reboot.

 

Repair Outlook

Outlook installation files may have been corrupted. Fix missing, deleted, corrupted installation files by initializing the setup bootstrapper and then choosing the Repair option.

  1. Click Start, and then Settings.
  2. In the Search Box on the upper-right, type Programs and Features.
  3. Open it from the search results.
  4. Now you’ll see a new window containing a list of all programs that are installed, on your screen. Scroll down and right-click Microsoft Office.
  5. Select Change.
  6. In the setup wizard, choose Repair and then click on Continue.
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions.

 

Prevent Inter-app conflicts

Sometimes Outlook encounters issues when it attempts to establish a network connection while synchronizing your emails. This “dual processing” can cause inter-app conflicts. It can be prevented by disabling your security software.

  1. Right click the Antivirus icon in system tray area.
  2. Choose Pause protection or similar option.
  3. Confirm it from a confirmation box.

 

Configure Windows 10 to Run in Selective Startup Mode

In Startup Mode, only system drivers are loaded. It disables all third party startup programs and Non-Microsoft services.

  1. Type MSCONFIG in the Search Box.
  2. Press Enter.
  3. Choose Selective startup option from the General tab.
  4. Uncheck the Load startup items box. Now click Apply | OK.