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 Fix Outlook Errors Fast: A Troubleshooting Guide
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Fix Outlook Errors Fast: A Troubleshooting Guide

A significant disruption to your workflow can occur due to errors in email apps in today's fast-paced digital world. Whether you're experiencing troubles with synchronization, error messages that prevent you from sending emails, or other errors, this article provides how to troubleshoot Outlook errors and answers to the frequently asked questions that quickly detect and fix these problems. This allows users to fix Outlook errors quickly, minimizing downtime and maintaining productivity while ensuring a smooth and efficient Outlook experience.

Choose an issue below and click on the expand to view the information.

If you are using IMAP, the only way for messages to be deleted is for the user to specifically delete messages. If you are using POP3, however, by default, messages will automatically be copied to the device and removed from the server. If you would like to keep a copy of the message on the server, you can enable that setting by following the steps below:

 

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. On the upper left corner, select File.
    File tab.
     
  3. Click Account Settings. Then, click Account Settings from the menu again.
  4. Highlight your current POP3 email account and click Change.
  5. Click on More Settings.
  6. Click Advanced.
  7. Tick the checkbox to enable the option that says: Leave a copy of the message on the server.
    Note: Once enabled, it will allow you to access your emails from multiple devices.

This is typically a result of an incorrect username and password. Ensure that you have your full email address as the username and password set when creating the mailbox. The password is case-sensitive.

Follow the steps below to update your saved username and password.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. On the upper-left corner, select File.
    File tab.
     
  3. Click Account Settings. Then, click Server Settings from the menu.
    Server Settings
     
  4. This should bring you to the POP and IMAP Account Settings panel.
  5. Enter your full email address as the username and the correct password.
    IMAP Account Settings page

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to switch from POP3 to IMAP. You would have to reset Outlook settings by selecting IMAP instead of POP.

Note: When you set the account back up, all your data should be there, but making a backup copy of your PST file that can be imported is recommended.

Follow the steps below on how to make a backup copy of your PST file.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. On the upper left corner, select File.
    File tab.
     
  3. Click Open & Export.
    Open & Export
     
  4. Select Open Outlook Data File.
    Open Outlook Data File
     
  5. Select the entire account, typically by selecting the top line or the Email address, ensuring that Include Subfolders is checked.
  6. Browse to a location to place the backup file. It is recommended to select your desktop because it’s easier to remember.
  7. Select Finish. If you have a lot of content, this may take up to several hours.
  8. Set up a new account, this time selecting IMAP during step 3 instead of POP.
  9. Then, import the .pst file by going clicking on the File tab again.
  10. Select Open & Export.
  11. Select Import from another program or file.
  12. Select Open Outlook Data File.
  13. Browse to the file you just saved and select the .pst file.
  14. Click Next and follow the on-panel prompts to complete your import.

When you try to send an email, you get an error saying you are not authorized. Our server requires your Outgoing (SMTP) emails to be authenticated. If you missed this step from the initial setup, you may enable it by following the steps below.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. On the upper left corner, select File.
    File tab.
     
  3. Click Account Settings. Then, click Server Settings from the menu.
    Server Settings
     
  4. This should bring you to the POP and IMAP Account Settings panel.
  5. Click the Outgoing mail drop-down button.
    Outoging mail drop down menu
     
  6. Select My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication. Then, select Use same settings as my incoming mail server.
    My outgoing server requires authentication tickbox.

Follow the steps below to disable an option in Outlook that prevents all folders from displaying and subscribe to any unsubscribed folders.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. Hover your mouse on your email account above the Inbox folder, as seen in the image below.
    IMAP Folders option
     
  3. Click Subscribed.
    Subscribed option
     
  4. Click the Query button.
    Query button
     
  5. Click each of the folders listed and select Subscribe if it's an option. If it's not, it is already subscribed.
    Subscribed page
     
  6. Click Apply, then OK.

You can update your saved password from the Account Settings panel.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. On the upper left corner, select File.
    File tab.
     
  3. Click Account Settings. Then, click Server Settings from the menu.
    Server Settings
     
  4. This will bring you to the POP and IMAP Account Settings panel.
  5. Input your new password in the Password field.
    Password field

Follow the steps below on how to update your outgoing port to a different outgoing port to begin sending emails.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. On the upper left corner, select File.
    File tab.
     
  3. Click Account Settings. Then, click Server Settings from the menu.
    Server Settings
     
  4. This will bring you to the POP and IMAP Account Settings panel.
  5. Click on the Outgoing mail drop-down menu.
    Outoging mail drop down menu
     
  6. Enter a new Port in the Port field under Outgoing mail settings.
    Outgoing Mail Port field

This is likely caused by your Outgoing port not being changed. Outlook sets the port to 25 by default, but it's often necessary to change that, as most ISPs block this port. 525 is another port that may have been used in the past but is starting to become blocked.

As a result, we recommend that you use Port 587. If this is your existing port and it’s still not working, you may need to call your Internet Service Provider and ask them what port you can use.

You can update your saved password from the Account Settings panel.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. On the upper left corner, select File.
    File tab.
     
  3. Click Account Settings. Then, click Server Settings from the menu.
    Server Settings
     
  4. This will bring you to the POP and IMAP Account Settings panel.
  5. Click on the Outgoing mail drop-down menu.
    Outoging mail drop down menu
     
  6. Enter a new Port in the Port field under the Outgoing mail settings. 587 is the recommended port.
    Outgoing Mail Port field

POP supports TLS for the outgoing server. IMAP supports SSL for incoming and TLS for outgoing. See below for how to enable it.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. On the upper left corner, select File.
    File tab.
     
  3. Click Account Settings. Then, click Server Settings from the menu.
    Server Settings
     
  4. This will bring you to the POP and IMAP Account Settings panel.
  5. Click on the Outgoing mail drop-down menu.
    Outoging mail drop down menu
     
  6. Change the Encryption method to SSL/TLS by clicking on the drop-down menu.
    Encryption method
    Note: If you are using IMAP settings, change the setting for Use the following type of encrypted connection to SSL. Then, change the Port to 995. If you are using POP3 settings, change the setting for Use the following type of encrypted connection to TLS. Then, change the Port to 587.

For issues related to email certificate trust errors, please refer to our separate article: How to Avoid Getting an Email Certificate Trust Issue Error. This article offers guidance on preventing email certificate trust issues and includes essential troubleshooting steps to resolve these errors effectively, ensuring secure email connections and uninterrupted access to your Outlook account.

 

Review

Problems with email can cause delays in your work. This tutorial addresses common Outlook issues and offers detailed remedies to help you quickly get back on track.

You'll discover answers for:

  • Email server preservation: Find out how to maintain copies of sent and received emails so you can view them from any device.
  • Constant password prompts: Eliminate repeated prompts for your username and password with a simple update to your account settings.
  • Switching from POP3 to IMAP: A step-by-step tutorial to moving your account from POP3 to IMAP for better accessibility.
  • Email sending errors: Fix authorization problems to ensure uninterrupted email communication
  • Email folder missing: Find out how to see every one of your folders and subscribe to hidden ones
  • Changing email passwords: Find out how to do it within the Outlook application.
  • Stuck messages in Outbox: Emails stuck in your outbox: Find the sender and deliver those messages.
  • Using SSL/TLS for secure connections: You are ensuring a secure email connection by utilizing SSL/TLS.
  • Email certificate trust issues: Guidance on preventing and troubleshooting email certificate trust errors, ensuring secure access to your Outlook account.

These straightforward solutions can help you troubleshoot common Outlook difficulties and keep your professional email account running smoothly.

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