Troubleshoot Outlook Error- Outlook Fails to Connect to Server

Written By Lovely Baghel
Published on: April 29th, 2019
Updated on: June 28, 2025

Summary: Many users are quitting MS Outlook because of its server connectivity problem with the Exchange server. When MS Outlook fails to connect to server, the user is unable to view emails present on the server. This can be for any reason, and to resolve the same issue, we describe some manual fixes. If those don’t work or your PST file is corrupted, directly opt for the PST Recovery Tool as an immediate fix

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Fix Outlook Connectivity Problems

There are some manual methods you can try to fix Outlook Server Connectivity problems and after that you can easily re-connect Outlook to the server after applying the methods given below.

Disable Offline Mode

Sometimes the user works on MS Outlook in the offline mode. So first disable it and try to connect Outlook to the server. The steps are as follows:-

Open
or Launch MS Outlook.
Go to the Send/Receive
Tab.
On the top right corner Click on Work Offline button to disable it.

Once you start using MS Outlook in online mode then I think you can it with the server. If this trick fails then try another one.

Create Data File

MS Outlook mainly has two types of files that are OST and PST therefore any type of errors in these files leads to a connectivity problem. Try to re-connect by following the steps:-

Close
MS Outlook Application.
Go to Start
Menu and Open Control Panel.
Click on Mail
icon.
In the new Window click on the Data Files button.
Search for the file with the same email address.
Now Click on Open File Location.
If your file is an OST file then Rename the
extension to.OLD and if it is PST then leave it.
Close all the window and reopen MS Outlook.

MS Outlook will start rebuilding the files and the time depends on the number of files on which the work is done. Once the process completes a confirmation All Folders Are Up to Date will appear and you can see Connected To Microsoft Exchange message. Finally, you have resolved Outlook fails to connect to server error.

Note*- Don’t close MS Outlook in the middle of the process otherwise you might lose your data.

But wait, if you don’t have an OST file then you have to use the Inbox Repair Tool. It is very easy to run.

Open C
Drive and then click on Program Files (X86).
In the search box type scanpst.exe.
Once you find the tool click on it and Run it.
Browse the OST
or PST file from the saved location.
Click on the Start button to start the process.

Once the process completes the file with the errors will be displayed in front of you where you just have to repair those file and then try to connect to the server.

If the corruption is severe then you can repair the file using SysInfo PST Recovery Software. You can download the trial version and easily recover PST files for free.

You May Also Read- Best Outlook Email management Tools.

Check Exchange Server Connection

You have to turn on logging on in MS Outlook.

Launch
MS Outlook on your PC.
Go to the File
tab and Click on Options.
Select the Advanced
option.
Check the Enable
Troubleshooting Logging option.
Click on OK
Button to Confirm.
Restart MS Outlook Application.

Now, I suppose you are able to connect MS Outlook to the Exchange server. If not, then try the final method.

Repair MS Office Install

Open Control
Panel on your system.
Go to Programs
and Features.
Find the Microsoft
Installation program.
Make a Right-Click on it and Select Change.
In the new Window Select Repair and Click on Continue.
After the completion of the process restart the
system.

Finally, will be able to connect MS Outlook to Exchange Server.

Conclusion

Well, you know what to do when MS Outlook fails to connect to server. There are various method to fix this small problem. Check, whether you are working on an offline mode or online mode. If you are online then see whether your exchange server is connected to MS Outlook or not. If all goes well then I think you are able to connect MS Outlook to the Server. I hope you liked this article.

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About The Author:

Lovely Baghel

As a content writer, I specialize in Email Migration, Data Recovery, Email Backup, and File Management. I have been writing professionally for two years now. There is so much information available in this field that I am intrigued by the newer technologies and techniques.