How to Fix Outlook Sync Issues? (Windows, Mac, and Android)

Is your Outlook web and desktop application showing outdated or different information? It means you’re experiencing Outlook sync issues.

This synchronization happens when there’s an issue between the application and the cloud mail server. Weak network connectivity, on Work Offline mode, corrupted cache, and incorrect account settings are some common causes. You can easily fix this Outlook not syncing issue in Windows, Mac, and Android by applying the solutions listed in this comprehensive guide brought to you by SysTools.

So, let’s get started!

What Causes Outlook Syncing Issues? Explained!

These Outlook syncing errors are a result of various technical malfunctions. So, let’s check them out one by one.

 

Types of Outlook Sync Issues:

Generally, all the Outlook syncing issues fall under two main categories:

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Quick Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Outlook Sync Issues (Windows, Mac, and Android)

There are different solutions for the Outlook not syncing issue across Windows, Mac, and Android devices, due to different underlying database engines. But there are some quick & common ones.

Check Your Network Connectivity

Weak/ unstable internet connectivity is one of the common and key reasons why you are experiencing Outlook sync issues, such as missing messages, delayed updates, and the Outlook inbox not updating.

So, ensure that you’re connected to a strong and uninterrupted internet connection to avoid Outlook not syncing errors.

Restart Outlook Application

Restating the Outlook application is perhaps one of the quickest and high-impact fixes. It is not only about closing and reopening.

During this short process, it clears out temporary data of the app, resets memory usage, and most importantly, refreshes the system processes that are malfunctioning.

For best results, close Outlook >> reboot your device >> launch Outlook again. If this troubleshooting fails to fix the respective Synchronization error, you can try clearing out the cache.

Disable “Work Offline” Mode

Do you know that there’s a “Work Offline” mode in Outlook that allows its users to disconnect from the mail server and work without any heckles, resulting in no email, no notifications?

So, if you might have accidentally enabled it, it is likely that your emails, contacts, or calendar will not sync. To toggle off the Work Offline mode in Outlook, you can follow the given instructions:

1. Start from the top ribbon >> Send/Receive.
2. Now, ensure that the Work Offline is disabled. To do so, you can also check out the status bar; it will show “Connected to: Microsoft Exchange.”

Clear/Delete Cache

Clearing/deleting cache- a conventional, one-size-fits-all solution that has been resolving technical errors for over a decade now, is still relevant like its day one.

In simple words, try to clear out Outlook cache, as sometimes files stored in the Outlook cache get outdated or worse, corrupted.

Here’s how you can clear out caches on different OS in seconds:

1. For Windows: Shut down Outlook and delete the.OST file present in the C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
2. For Mac: Right-click on the folder (Inbox) >> Properties >> Empty Cache.
3. For Android: go to Settings >> Apps >> Outlook >> Storage >> Clear Cache.

Verify Your Outlook Account Credentials

Verifying your Outlook account credentials. But why? To ensure that it’s not a classic case of password mismatch. For that, simply log out of your Outlook account and re-enter the account password.

Apply Exchange/Exchange ActiveSync

Wondering why your calendar and contacts are not syncing in Outlook?

It is because you have configured your account to IMAP/POP, and it only syncs your emails. Therefore, for complete Synchronization, use Exchange/Exchange ActiveSync.

Update Outlook Application

Install the latest Outlook updates. It is also an effective way to continue seamless Outlook Synchronization between the local device and the mail server.

An outdated version can develop bugs over time that can affect the performance. Also, it interferes with the syncing process.

So, update your Outlook account to the latest version by following the given steps:

1. Launch Outlook >> go to File >> Office Account/Accounts.
2. Next, Product Information >> Update Options >> Update Now.

But the “Update Now” option is unavailable?

If your device is not showing the “Update Now” option, simply download and install Windows/iOS updates.

How to Fix Outlook Sync Issues on Windows?

Resolve Outlook sync issues on Windows effortlessly by applying the given advanced troubleshooting tips:

Review Sync Settings

Verifying Sync settings to make sure that they are configured correctly is a key solution to fix Outlook sync issues on Windows. To review Outlook sync settings, you can take the given steps for the account:

1. Open Outlook and go to File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings.
2. Next, choose your email >> hit Change.
3. Now, check the Use Cached Exchanged Mode checkbox>> select More Settings.
4. Click the Advanced tab >> check the Download Shared Folders checkbox >> OK.

Lastly, to apply the changes, restart Outlook and check whether the issue is fixed or not.

Restrict Antivirus/Firewall

Many Outlook users on various forums have claimed that disabling their Antivirus software/firewall solved the Outlook not syncing problem. It is possible because security programs might block the Outlook data file and cause data-syncing problems like delay in receiving emails in Outlook.

The best way to find out if your security programs are to blame or not is by simply disabling them temporarily, and if the issue resolves, you’ll have the answer.

So, do I have to keep my Antivirus disabled? Of course not! Just restrict your security programs analyzing Outlook or opt for Outlook-compatible software.

Switch Email Sorting Order to “By Date” and “Newest”

It is quite possible that you might be confusing the incorrect email sorting order with the Outlook email not syncing error. You can easily confirm this by switching your email sorting order to “ By date” and “Newest” on the email list; it will now reflect recent emails at the top.

Clear the Sync Issues Folder

Did you know that there’s a specific folder called the “Outlook Sync Issues Folder” in Outlook that stores Synchronization issues and error logs as messages?

Yes, and by accessing these messages, you will be able to find the root cause behind the syncing issues and fix it. But the catch is that the Outlook Sync issues folder is not visible.

• To view it, simply click on the Navigation Pane >> Click three dots >> Select Folders.

Fact: These respective messages are forwarded by the mail server to notify the user about Synchronization errors that occurred and were stored in three subfolders: Local Failures, Conflicts, and Server Failures.

Must Reads: IMAP Folder is Not Syncing Issue – How to Fix It?

Compress Outlook Data File (.ost) Size

Compressing the Outlook Data file size is also another helpful tip to not only fix syncing errors, but also optimize Outlook performance significantly. Reduce the.OST file and see if the error still occurs or not.

And, if your OST emails and other times got damaged, corrupted, or deleted, you can always use SysTools OST Recovery Software

Perform Manual Synchronization

If auto-sync doesn’t work properly, you can also perform manual Synchronization of Outlook mailbox folders momentarily.

Quick Steps to Sync Outlook Mailbox Folder Manually:

1. Open Outlook and click on Send/Receive from the top ribbon.
2. Next, to update the folder, hit the Send/Receive All Folders tab.

Once the folders are updated, you will see a confirmation notification at the bottom bar, “All Folders are up to date”.

Create and Add a New Outlook Profile

Continue to experience syncing issues? It means that your current Outlook profile is damaged/corrupted. However, you can move forward with creating a new Outlook Profile and replace it with the previous one.

But how to create a new Outlook Profile?

1. Launch Control Panel >> search and select Mail.
2. Next hit Show Profiles >> Add >> Add a Profile Name >> OK.
3. Now, set up IMAP, Exchange, or Office 365 email account >> Next >> Finish
4. Click “Always use this profile” and choose the new profile.
5. Lastly, hit Ok and restart the Outlook application.

Verify Your Outlook Account Settings

Have you verified that your Outlook account settings are set up correctly or not? If not, there are probable chances that you’re facing this syncing problem due to incorrect account settings (DNS, Port Number, Proxy Settings). To verify and change settings, you can use the steps listed below, but ensure that you have the administrative privileges in advance.

1. Open Outlook >> File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings (Drop-Down Menu).
2. Choose your email account and click Change.
3. Next, in Server Settings >> hit More Settings >> Advanced.
4. Click More Settings >> Advanced tab.
5. Now go to POP, IMAP, and SMTP settings for Outlook.com – Microsoft Support to get the default Outlook settings and apply them.
6. Lastly, verify the details and hit Next >> Done.

How to Fix Outlook Sync Issues on Mac?

Review Sync Folders

There are times when you have to force Synchronization to make sure the Synchronization process functions properly on your iOS device. Simply select the Sync folders, right click and select “Synchronize Now”.

Also Check Out: Is iCloud Not Syncing with Outlook? Try 8 Easy Fixes to Fix

Delete Stuck/Corrupt Pending Items

It has been observed that sometimes a cluttered database processing pipeline can cause Outlook syncing issues on Mac. To fix that, deleting stuck or corrupt pending items is necessary.

Steps to Delete Stuck/Corrupt Pending Items :

1. In the Outlook search bar, type Size filters to find large items.
2. Next, in Drafts and Sent Items folders, look for corrupt attachments or pending entries.
3. Lastly, delete the stuck/corrupt pending items and clear the database processing pipeline of your Mac.

And unfortunately, if you accidentally delete Outlook Items on your Mac, you don’t have to worry about it. By using the Outlook Deleted Items Recovery Tool for Mac, you can effortlessly retrieve Mac Outlook items.

Switch to Legacy Version

As a Mac user, if you’re experiencing syncing problems with Outlook, you can always switch between “New” and “Legacy” Outlook views. The science behind this solution is that Legacy development manages system compatibility differently and often skips web-sync freezes.

Here’s how you can switch:

1. Go to Help in the top bar.
2. Next, toggle off the New Outlook and switch to Revert to Legacy Outlook.

How to Fix Outlook Sync Issues on Android?

Here are the fixes for Outlook Sync issues on Android devices:

Clear out Your Mailbox

Ensure that your mailbox is not full, as it will not sync your new data. So, go to your Microsoft storage and clear out your mail box to avoid any data syncing issues.

Turn off Battery Optimization/ Battery Saving Mode

In Android devices, users are provided with a Battery Optimization/Battery Saving Mode feature that restricts/kills background activity of apps to save battery. But sometimes it interferes with the app process and can cause Outlook syncing issues.

So, if you’re dealing with Outlook Synchronization errors, you can try out disabling Battery Optimization features on your Android device.

To do so, go to Settings >> Apps >> Outlook >> Battery and set it to Unrestricted.

Review Sync Settings

If your sync settings are not configured correctly, you can also encounter Outlook not syncing errors. To fix that, you have to ensure that Sync Calendar/Contacts is toggled on in your account settings.

Remove and Re-add Your Outlook Account

Another effective way to fix the Microsoft Outlook Synchronization error has been proven to be true in our comprehensive research: re-adding the Outlook account.

Simply, remove your existing Outlook account and re-add it by following the mere steps mentioned below:

• Navigate to Settings >> Accounts >> Select Account >> Remove and finally add it again.

Delete and Reinstall Outlook App

Sometimes, reinstalling the Outlook app on your Android device can resolve the Microsoft syncing issues, as it will clear out the corrupted cache and reset the app settings to default.

All you have to do is delete and reinstall the Outlook app from the Google Play Store.

The Takeaway

Microsoft Outlook sync issues in Windows, Mac, and Android devices are a common phenomenon. It appears when the Outlook application on the device fails to connect with the cloud mail server. It can happen due to a plethora of reasons, such as network connectivity issues, incorrect account settings, corrupted data files, full disk storage, etc.

However, you can fix these Outlook synchronization errors and restore your account vitality. Use the common and advanced solutions featured in this comprehensive guide. With regards to the above, if you ever lose your valuable Outlook data mistakenly and want to restore it, you can use the trusted Outlook Deleted Items Recovery Tool.