Outlook Not Connecting to Server – How to Fix It? A Complete Guide

If you are having trouble connecting Microsoft Outlook to the server on your Windows 11/10 computer, this post may be able to help you. Microsoft Outlook is a great information manager that allows you to send and receive emails.

However, after updating the system to the latest version, many users are struggling to connect outlook to the server. Due to this issue, users are not able to send, receive, refresh or even download any new email. So, if you are encountering the same problem, continue with this troubleshooting guide to fix the issue.

How to Fix Outlook not Connecting to Server on Windows Computer

If you’re having trouble connecting Microsoft Outlook to a server on Windows 11/10, here are some things you can try.

Outlook Not Connecting to Server

  1. Restart Outlook
  2. Check the Internet
  3. Recheck your Credentials
  4. Check the Outlook Status
  5. Use SSL Encrypted Connection
  6. Repair the Outlook Account
  7. Rebuild Outlook Data File
  8. Turn Off Extensions
  9. Update Outlook

1 – Restart Outlook

If Outlook is not connecting to the server, the first thing you can try is to restart Outlook. This may fix a temporary glitch. You can also try reconnecting to the internet and opening Outlook. If the problem persists, check for other possible causes.

2 – Check the Internet

Another potential reason your internet connection might be lagging is a weak signal. If this is the case, you’ll just have to wait until your internet is back up. You can try restarting your router, if you’re using one as your internet source. If the problem persists, you can always contact your ISP.

3 – Recheck your Credentials

Another reason that may cause the problem is if you have entered the wrong account credentials. Sometimes, you might enter the wrong username or password and then wonder why Outlook is not connecting to the server. This situation usually occurs when you are logging in for the first time. So, make sure you have entered the correct credentials. To do this, follow the steps below.

Restart Outlook

  1. Launch Outlook on your system.
  2. Click on the File option present on the top left corner of the screen.
  3. Click on the dropdown icon present with the Account Settings.
  4. Choose Account Settings from the list of options.
  5. Tap on your email account and choose the Remove option

You have finally removed the existing account from Outlook. Now go to File again and choose the Add account option. Make sure to enter the correct ID password this time.

4 – Check the Outlook Status

You have finally removed the existing account from Outlook. Now go to File again and choose the Add account option. Make sure to enter the correct ID password this time.

Check the Outlook Status

  1. Open Outlook on your system.
  2. Click on Send/ Receive tab present on the top section.
  3. Click on the Work Offline option.

Now, Outlook will connect to the Microsoft servers. Check if the problem is fixed or not.

5 – Use SSL Encrypted Connection

You need to connect with the Microsoft exchange server using an SSL encrypted connection. To do so, follow the below steps.

  1. Launch Outlook.
  2. Click on the File option present at the top left corner.
  3. Tap on the dropdown icon present next to Account Settings.
  4. Click on Server Settings.
  5. Change the encryption method to SSL/TLS
  6. Click on Next > Done.

Use SSL Encrypted Connection

6 – Repair the Outlook Account

Microsoft Outlook’s best feature is its option to easily repair different email providers in the app. So, if you are facing a server problem, you will have to go to the repair process to fix the problem. To do so, follow the below steps.

Repair the Outlook Account

  1. Launch the Outlook app on your system.
  2. Click on the File option present at the top left corner.
  3. Tap on the dropdown icon present under the Account Settings option.
  4. Choose Account Settings from the list of options.
  5. In the following window, select your Gmail account.
  6. Tap on the Repair option.

If you’re having trouble with emails not sending in Outlook, one potential fix is to restart your system and then open Outlook again to check if the problem is resolved.

7 – Rebuild Outlook Data File

Rebuild Outlook Data File

The Outlook data file can be rebuilt to fix the server not connecting problem. By default, all the data of outlook is saved on an external file. However, if it gets corrupted, you will have issues connecting to the server. As a solution to it, you will have to rebuild the Outlook data file.

  1. Launch Outlook > Account Settings > Data Files.
  2. Click on the email account that is not able to connect to the server.
  3. Choose the Open File Location option.
  4. Now, rename the outlook data file associated with the problematic mail address.

Microsoft Outlook: How to Rebuild Data Files”That’s it. Now open Outlook and wait until it rebuilds the data file. Once done, check if the server problem is fixed or not.”

8 – Turn Off Extensions

Turn Off Extensions

if you are having trouble connecting to the outlook server, it may be because of extensions you have installed. try turning off extensions and see if that fixes the problem.

To do so, follow the below steps-

  1. Open Outlook > File > Options.
  2. Click on Add-ins.
  3. Tap on the Go option, and uncheck all the installed extensions.
  4. Click on OK to save the settings.

Launch Outlook and check if the problem persists.

9- Update Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a widely used email service, however, it can sometimes malfunction. One potential reason for this is using an outdated version of the app. Luckily, updating Outlook is easy to do. Simply follow the steps below.

update outlook

  1. Launch Outlook > File.
  2. Click on the Office Account option present on the left panel of the screen.
  3. Tap on the dropdown arrow present under Update options.
  4. Choose the Update Now option.

Frequently Ask Question About Outlook Not Connecting to Server

Why Outlook is not connecting to server on Windows?

Why is Outlook not connecting to the server on Windows? There are multiple reasons why Outlook is not able to connect with a server on Windows. Anything from a weak internet connection, to being in offline mode, to having third-party addons, to having corrupted data files, to having misconfigured encryption connections, to having outdated apps can cause a server problem. However, it is very easy to troubleshoot this issue.

How do I reconnect Outlook to server?

It’s easy to reconnect Outlook to the server. Just go to the Send/Receive tab and click Work Offline to reconnect.

How do I fix a disconnected server in Outlook?

If you’re having trouble connecting to your mail server in Outlook, there are a few things you can try. Re-enable Work Offline mode, restart Outlook, rebuild your data files, and repair Microsoft Office. If none of those solutions work, you can recreate your profile.

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