Top 8 Common Outlook Errors and Solutions

Microsoft Outlook forums are always filled with a wide variety of queries regarding Outlook errors. Despite its popularity, Microsoft Outlook is not immune from errors. 

There is a slew of challenges that consumers run through that can sabotage their experience. The most common issues with Microsoft Outlook are listed below, along with the recommended solutions to fix common Outlook errors.

What are the Common Outlook Issues?

The common Outlook issues and their solutions are mentioned below.

8 Common Outlook Errors and Solutions

Below we have added 8 common Outlook errors and solutions:

Error 1: Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook 

Cannot start Microsoft Outlook is one of the most common errors across the Outlook user community. This error occurs when you try to open Outlook on your computer. Some of the reasons behind this error are as mentioned below:

• Outdated version of Outlook.
• Navigation Pane error obstructing Outlook from starting.
• Defective add-ins in your Outlook.
• Incorrect Outlook profile settings.
• Damaged Outlook data file.

Any of the above-mentioned reasons can be causing this cannot start Microsoft Outlook error. Though the Outlook error may look complex, with a few simple steps it can be fixed easily.

The solution to fix cannot start Microsoft Outlook error:

• Reset the Navigation pane settings.
• Run Outlook on safe mode (Type outlook.exe/safe) and check for defective add-ins.

• Create a new Outlook Profile.
• Repair Outlook data file using ScanPST.exe

Any of the above-mentioned steps can help you in fixing the Outlook error cannot start Outlook. To know how to fix this error in detail you can check out our in-depth solution to the error Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook.

The above-mentioned manual methods can help you fix Outlook errors, in any other complicated scenario, an effective PST repair tool should come in quite handy.

Error 2: Outlook Send Receive Errors

Having Trouble sending emails on your Outlook? One encounters this Outlook error quite frequently due to various scenarios. Usually, both incoming and outgoing emails would be stopped when you come across this error. 

Let's have a quick look at the reasons behind Send Receive Outlook errors

• Antivirus or Windows Firewall stopping you from sending an email.
• Suspicious emails in the mailbox.
• Incorrect Outlook email account settings.
• Damaged or corrupt Outlook data file.

The user receives Microsoft Outlook error messages while they try to send an email. There are various Outlook error codes that get displayed while trying to send/receive emails.

Some of those common error codes when you receive this unknown error are mentioned in the table below-

Let’s have a look at ways to fix Outlook send or receive errors.

• Disabling Antivirus and Windows Firewall
• Check and remove suspicious emails from Outlook inbox
• Correct the Outlook account settings(Outgoing SMTP)
• Clear Outbox and change Server timeout
• Repair PST files using an inbox repair tool

These are some of the manual solutions that you can try out yourself to fix this common Outlook error. However, you can also check the detailed guide to fix Outlook send receive error.

The above-mentioned manual methods can come in handy to fix Outlook send-receive errors. If in case the above methods fail to fix the Outlook error, you should consider making use of a PST repair tool.

Error 3: Outlook Data File Access Denied

The Outlook data file access denied error occurrence is common problem. This Outlook error occurs when you try to open the Outlook data file on a new PC while importing or opening the old Outlook data file. It can also be in the form of Outlook asking for a password every time you try to open it.

The main reason behind this Outlook problem is that you are trying to open the Outlook data file with a local account. The solution to fix this Outlook error is as mentioned below:

• Change Outlook PST file properties
• Open Outlook with administrative privileges
• Change the location of the Outlook data file
• Scan and repair Outlook data file

Any of the above-mentioned solutions can help you fix Outlook errors. You can also have a detailed walk-through to fix Outlook data file access denied. 

Error 4: Cannot open Outlook attachments.

Outlook errors are of wide variety just like their features. The error cannot open Outlook attachments is one among those Outlook errors. As the error name suggests user cannot open their Outlook mail attachments. It can be an important word document or an excel sheet, it can really give you a hard time.

Some of the reasons behind the Outlook error cannot open Outlook attachments are:

• Unrecognized file formats.
• Suspicious file attachments.
• Compressed files.
• Corrupted files.
• Defective Outlook add-ins.
• Corrupt Outlook data file.

These are some of the possible reasons for the attachments not opening in your Outlook. Now let's have a look at the solutions to fix this error.

Steps to fix cannot open Outlook attachment error:

• Check for defective add-ins.
• Disable firewall and antivirus.
• Check for suspicious emails and attachments.
• Repair Outlook data file with ScanPST.exe.

The above-mentioned methods should be able to fix the Outlook error. You can also check the detailed explanation on how to fix cannot open Outlook attachments.

If you are looking for a simple and automated process over the above-mentioned manual methods, it is better to make use of the PST repair tool.

Remo PST repair tool is designed to recover all the Outlook data items like emails, contacts, and notes along with their attachments. The simple user interface of the software can recover all your Outlook data in 3 clicks only.  

Error 5: Outlook Time-Out Errors

Time-out errors are prominent in Outlook if you have configured invalid SMTP or POP port values. This error usually occurs when you have configured the SMTP server without encryption and provided an invalid port number. 

This error usually occurs as Mail Error ID 0x800CCC19. It might also be due to misconfigured system files, internet connectivity issues, or even firewall settings. 

Error 6: Outlook PST file is not a Personal Folders File

You’ll see this error when you attempt to launch Outlook but the main reason might be a corrupt PST file. Outlook will not be able to read Outlook data file if it is corrupt or damaged, hence it states this error showcasing Outlook .pst  file is not Personal Folders File. 

The only resort to repair such errors is by employing PST repair tool. You can utilize Remo PST Repair tool to resolve this error easily. 

Error 7: Cyclic Redundancy Check Outlook error

Cyclic redundancy check error in Outlook is one of the most common Outlook issues across the user community. The error doesn’t indicate the problem with your Outlook application rather it sheds light on an error in the location of the hard disk where your PST file is located. However, you can’t rule out the chance of your PST file being corrupt.

Follow these steps to fix the CRC easily by yourself:

• Run chkdsk on your hard disk.
• Run ScanPST.exe.

These two steps should possibly fix the CRC Outlook error and also repair your PST file if it is having any corruption. You can check out the detailed walkthrough on how to fix the CRC error in the PST file.

Error 8: MAPI Errors in Outlook

MAPI error blocks your computer from sending or receiving any mail from your computer. MAPI known as Messaging Application Programming Interface is responsible for sending and receiving emails from your computer. Hence, it acts as a bridge between your computer and the mail server.

The main reason behind this error is due to the damage or corruption of the mapi.dll file. The solution to fix this Outlook error related to the msmapi.dll file is as mentioned below:

• Check the computers connected to the server.
• Rename the old dll file and run the mapi.exe.
• Make use of fixmapi.exe to fix any error related to the mapi.dll error.
• Repair Outlook data file with the inbox repair tool.

Any of the above-mentioned solutions should potentially fix the Outlook error. You can know more about how to fix MAPI errors in Outlook. If any of the above-mentioned failed to fix the Outlook error, make use of Remo Repair PST.

Remo PST repair tool is tailor-made to fix common Outlook errors like MAPI errors, send/receive errors, CRC errors, and Outlook startup errors. The tool is designed to easily work on compressed, password-protected, and even corrupted files.

"Absolutely delighted with the Remo Repair Outlook (PST) program recently purchased. After a full computer crash, I had to reinstall Windows 10 & MS Office 2013 and lost all my emails covering quite a number of years. Absolute disaster for my personal and business. However, with a little assistance from Matt Leipus at Remo I've been able to retrieve ALL my emails all correctly in their folders. Expensive, but worth it. I am 74 years old, so Matt was very patient with my non-PC knowledge. Many thanks."-Mr. S Astins, February 16, 2022

The tool facilitates a free preview for its user to check the success results. Join the more than a million-user community to repair common Outlook issues and make Outlook error-free.

Note: One-stop to fix all the troubles you are facing due to Outlook errors. Watch this video tutorial to see how an automated solution can fix Outlook errors in 3 clicks only.

Benefits of Remo Repair PST:

• Ensures quick recovery of Outlook items like emails, contacts, notes, etc.
• Designed to easily work on all kinds of compressed, password-protected PST files.
• Quickly repairs corrupt damaged corrupt PST files.
• Facilitates a preview of recovered data in an Outlook-styled browser.
• Supports all versions of Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007, Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, and Outlook 2021.

 How to avoid Outlook Errors?

As they say, prevention is better than cure, it is better you avoid Outlook errors in the future. Following are some of the tips that can avoid typical Outlook errors:

• Always take a regular backup of the PST file.
• Protect your computer against possible virus attacks.
• Always keep your Outlook application up to date.
• Keep an eye on your Outlook inbox and remove suspicious emails.
• Handle large emails with proper care.

 Final Thoughts:

Isn't it a great way for a regular Outlook user to get questions answered and Outlook problems solved under the same umbrella? This article was destined to ensure that all your queries regarding some of the most common Outlook errors you face are answered. Do let us know your thoughts on this article on the most common Outlook error and solutions to fix them in the comments section below.