eM Client Not Working? 10 Proven Fixes [Updated 2025]

When eM Client not working, it can feel like your entire inbox has vanished. After experiencing this issue myself, I dug deep to find out what causes it and how to fix it permanently. In this discussion, I’ll share the steps I found to resolve the issue immediately. So, join this discussion, and gain the updated information about this error.

Table of Contents

• Why does it Not Working?
• How to Fix Issue?
  • Step 1. Check Internet and Mail Server Status
  • Step 2. Update eM Client to the Latest Version
  • Step 3. Repair the Database
  • Step 4. Check Antivirus or VPN Settings
  • Step 5. Verify Account Configuration
  • Step 6. Fix Outlook.com
  • Step 7. Clear Cache
  • Step 8. Back Up eM Client Data
  • Step 9. Check Windows Event Viewer
  • Step 10. Reinstall eM Client
• Best Practices to Prevent Future Issues
• Author’s Verdict
• People Also Ask

Why does eM Client Not Work?

There are factors which lead to these eM Client issues today, i.e.

1. Corrupted database files
2. Antivirus or firewall interference
3. IMAP Authentication failed
4. The eM Client version is outdated
5. Calendar sync bugs or corrupted events
6. Changes in Gmail/Outlook OAuth can break connections
7. Microsoft and Google frequently update their mail APIs and TLS requirements

How to Fix eM Client Not Working?

According to my recent research, here are the most effective troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue quickly and effectively:

Step 1. Check Internet and Mail Server Status

Open a web browser and try logging in to the same account, like Gmail or Outlook.com.

• If webmail doesn’t load or can’t send messages, the issue is with the email server, not eM Client.
• You can also check status dashboards:
  
  • Google Workspace Status Dashboard
  • Microsoft 365 Service Status

If not resolved, or the problem is not in the email server, then move to the next step.

Step 2. Update eM Client to the Latest Version

In 2025, eM Client version 10.3.x fixed many recurring issues, including IMAP crashes, eM Client not working, Google backup and sync not working, and Outlook sending bugs. This means, if you’re still using an older version, upgrading it to the new version will quickly resolve the error.

Learn the steps to update:

1. Open eM Client.
2. Go to Menu > Help > Check for Update.
3. Download and install the latest release.

Alternatively, you can get it from the official eM client release history page.

After installing, restart your system. This practice will resolve the eM Client not opening or not syncing errors immediately and ensure that it does not occur in the future. 

Step 3. Repair the Database

If eM Client not working or crashes at startup, your database is corrupted. You can use this:

1. Close eM Client.
2. Then, press Win + R, type the following command, and hit Enter:
   

    "C:\Program Files (x86)\eM Client\MailClient.exe" /dbrepair

3. Wait until the repair finishes, then relaunch eM Client.

If it still won’t open, rename the database file:

 C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\eM Client\

1. Rename the file main.dat to main_old.dat.
2. Restart eM Client. It’ll create a healthy database automatically.

Step 4. Check Antivirus or VPN Settings

Most of the time, firewall, antivirus, and VPN settings stop the eM client, and disabling them will fix the eM Client not working issue. 

To perfectly to do so perfectly, follow the steps below:

1. Temporarily disable the antivirus and firewall.
2. Open eM Client and try syncing again.
3. If it works, re-enable your security software but add these exceptions:
   • MailClient.exe
   • IMAP ports: 143, 993
   • SMTP ports: 25, 465, 587

If you use a VPN, try disabling it temporarily. If eM Client starts working, then select it as an exception service within your VPN to permanently resolve the issue.

Step 5. Verify Account Configuration

If eM Client won’t sync or authenticate, this means your account credentials or tokens are outdated. In this case:

1. Open Menu > Accounts.
2. Select the problematic account.
3. Verify the following details:
   • IMAP server, port, and security type
   • SMTP server and authentication method
   • For Gmail, make sure you’re using OAuth authentication
4. If sync still fails, remove IMAP account and re-add the account.

Step 6. Fix Outlook.com

In 2025, eM Client shifted from AirSync to modern SMTP/IMAP protocols, but some old accounts still use outdated settings.

If you use a free Outlook.com or Hotmail account, eM Client sometimes creates issues with Microsoft’s mail servers. To address eM Client not working:

• Go to Menu > Accounts > User’s Outlook Account > IMAP/SMTP tab.
• Make sure you’re using:
  • IMAP: imap-mail.outlook.com, Port 993, SSL/TLS
  • SMTP: smtp-mail.outlook.com, Port 587, STARTTLS

If you’re unsure, remove and re-add the account; eM Client auto-detects the best protocol now. This is the updated feature of eM Client.

Step 7. Clear Cache

Many times, cached data can slow down sync or cause missing folders. For the same:

1. Close eM Client, and go to:
   C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\eM Client\
2. Delete the Cache folder.
3. Restart eM Client.

Step 8. Back Up eM Client Data

One of the best decisions I made after fixing eM Client not working was creating offline backups of all my email data. For that, I use the SysTools IMAP Backup Tool, easy to use.

With the same, you can save your mailbox locally in PST, EML, MBOX, or PDF formats. Most importantly, you can access your emails offline even when eM Client stops working.

This robust utility can back up all emails from IMAP servers like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Zoho, and AOL. Additionally, it comes with numerous features like Incremental backup, which ensures that only new emails are downloaded after the first backup.

So, use it for free now, and access your data offline even if your IMAP client is not working.

Step 9. Check Windows Event Viewer

If eM Client crashes immediately, use Event Viewer to address the cause. Here’s how to fix eM Client not working:

1. Press Win + R, type eventvwr, and hit Enter.
2. Go to Windows Logs > Application.
3. Look for any error entries labelled MailClient.exe.

If you found any issues, then fix them manually on your own. But in scenarios where the issue is technical or complicated, you can take help from eM Client support for quick troubleshooting. 

Step 10. Reinstall eM Client

If you’ve tried everything else, a clean reinstall will be the only option. After taking a backup of your data, follow the steps to reinstall the service:

1. Open Menu > Backup and save a .zip backup file.
2. Uninstall eM Client via Control Panel > Programs and Features.
3. Download the latest version from eM Client’s official site.
4. Reinstall and restore the backup: Menu > File > Restore.

As your data is stored at the IMAP server, when you restore it, all the data will be shown to you intact.

Best Practices to Prevent eM Client Not Working in Future

To permanently resolve the issue, make it a habit to follow this checklist:

• Always close eM Client properly.
• Run Menu > Backup once a week.
• Keep both Windows and eM Client updated.
• Avoid using VPNs or other third-party tools which affect the working of eM Client.
• Periodically clear the cache if you handle large IMAP folders.

Author’s Verdict

When eM Client not working, it affects productivity, especially when you depend on it daily. But most issues are fixable with the right set of instructions. 

If you’re still stuck, follow the steps above carefully. And if all else fails, contact eM Client’s support. 

People Also Ask

Q. Why is my eM Client not opening?
It’s mainly due to a corrupted database. Run the /dbrepair command or rename the main.dat file to rebuild it.

Q. How to fix eM Client not syncing?
Here are the quick steps to fix the syncing issue with eM Client:

• Update to the latest version 10.3 or above
• Verify your IMAP/SMTP settings
• Disable antivirus temporarily to test for blocking.

Q. Can I access my emails if eM Client not working or won’t open?
Yes. If you’ve backed up your data, you can open emails offline using Outlook, Thunderbird, or other viewers.

Q. Does reinstalling eM Client delete my data?
No, as long as you back up first using the built-in Backup feature or an external tool.