Outlook Cannot Synchronize Subscribed Folders Cannot Connect to Server: Fixed

If you are using Microsoft Outlook with IMAP email accounts, then you may encounter “Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders” error. This issue means Outlook may not properly syncing emails, folders and other mailbox data with the mail server. As result, users may face missing emails, folder synchronization failures, delays in receiving emails or repeated sending/receiving errors.

In this detailed write-up, we will explain the meaning of Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders cannot connect to server error, common causes, and techniques to fix it. Whether the error is related to IMAP settings, network connectivity, Outlook profile corruption, OST file corruption, or server-side problems, here we will cover everything you need to know.

What Does “Synchronizing Subscribed Folders Outlook Error Mean?

This happens when Outlook is unable to communicate with email server and synchronize folders that are subscribed through an IMAP account.

These are the messages that users may receive:

• Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders.
• Error synchronizing folder hierarchy.
• Cannot connect to the server to synchronize folders.
• Outlook send/receive error during folder synchronization.
• Subscribed folders are not updating.

Basically, synchronization process allows Outlook to maintain consistency between local mailbox and mail server. When synchronization fails, Outlook may not show recent emails, sent items, deleted messages and newly created folders.

Main Causes of Outlook Cannot Synchronize Subscribed Folders

Before jumping to the troubleshooting techniques, let’s understand the root cause of why Outlook stuck on synchronizing subscribed folders:

Damaged OST File: OST file stores synchronized mailbox data locally, if this file becomes corrupted, Outlook may fail to synchronize subscribed folders. These are the common reasons for corruption:

• Unexpected Outlook shutdown.
• Power failures.
• Malware attacks.
• Large OST file size.
• Due to disk errors.

Incorrect IMAP Configuration: Incorrect incoming server settings are another reason for this error. It can occur due to wrong IMAP server name, incorrect port number, Invalid SSL/TLS settings, or authentication issues.

Poor Internet Connectivity: Weak or unstable internet connection can interrupt connection between Outlook and mail server.

Damaged Outlook Profile: Yes, damaged profile is another reason of “Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders” error.

Outdated Version: Using older version of Outlook may affect Outlook performance.

Mail Server Issues: Many time “Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders” error occurs from provider’s server such as due to server downtime, IMAP service disruption, temporary synchronization restrictions.

Antivirus or Firewall Interference: Sometimes Antivirus or firewalls block Outlook’s communication with mail servers.

After knowing the causes of these errors, let’s understand the symptoms, i.e., how it affects Outlook performance.

How to Fix Outlook Cannot Synchronize Subscribed Folders?

In this section, we will learn ways to resolve this issue by checking basic internet connectivity, updating older versions, verify IMAP account settings, creating new profile or repairing damage profile, etc.

Method 1: Update Folder Subscription Settings

Incorrect folder subscriptions can also trigger this error. Follow these steps:

1. Open your Outlook.
2. Choose “Send/Receive”.
3. Select the “Send/Receive Groups”.
4. Click on “Define Send/Receive Groups”.
5. Select your “IMAP” account.
6. Next, verify folder synchronization settings.
7. Finally, save changes and restart Outlook.

Method 2: Verify IMAP Account Settings

1. Navigate to “File” >> “Account Settings” in Outlook.
2. Choose the affected account.
3. Click the Change button.
4. Verify:
   • IMAP server name
   • Port number
   • Encryption method
   • Username and password
5. Save the settings and test the account.

Make sure values match your email provider’s recommendations.

Method 3: Repair Outlook Profile

1. Open “Control Panel” on machine.
2. Select “Mail” >> “Email Accounts”.
3. Now select your account.
4. Choose “Repair” option.
5. Follow the “Repair Wizard”.
6. Restart your Outlook.

Method 4: Create a New Outlook Profile

If repair technique fails to fix “Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders” error, then we will create a new profile:

1. Again, open “Control Panel”.
2. Choose “Mail” and select “Show Profile”.
3. Choose “Add option”.
4. Now create a new profile.
5. Configure your new profile here.
6. And set your newly created profile as default.
7. Finally, restart Outlook again to verify.

Method 5: Disable Antivirus Temporarily

Disable all your antiviruses temporarily and try to restart Outlook and perform sending and receiving process to verify whether the issue resolved or not.

Method 6: Resubscribe IMAP Folders

Sometimes subscribed folders disconnect from mailbox.

1. Right click on your “IMAP” account.
2. Choose “IMAP Folders”.
3. Click on “Query”.
4. Unsubscribe problematic folders.
5. And subscribe again.
6. Restart Outlook.

If Nothing Works, check whether your OST file is corrupt.

Method 7: Rebuild OST File

Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders error occurs due to OST file issues, then we can rebuild it by following steps. But make sure your OST file doesn’t contain any offline mailbox data, because once we delete or rename it, we can’t restore data manually.

1. Close your Outlook completely.
2. Open your “Control Panel”.
3. Head to “Mail” >> “Data Files”.
4. Locate your OST file.
5. Rename the existing OST file or delete it.
6. And restart your Outlook again, now it will create a new OST file and will fetch data.

How to Fix “Outlook Cannot Synchronize Subscribed Folders”?

1. Download and start the software properly.

   

2. Use “Add File” option to import OST file.

   

3. You can upload it manually, or solution will detect it from the machine, or it will load configured Outlook profiles.

   

4. Choose “Scan Mode” to deeply scan corruption.

   

5. After scanning, all OST file data will appear on the panel, choose required folders from here.

   

6. After this, choose “Export” button and select any “Saving Option”.

   

7. Apply filters and settings as per requirements.

   

8. Use “Browse” button to choose saving location.

   

9. Choose “Export” icon to start process.

   

After restoring data into healthy format and accessible format, you can now delete the existing OST file and recreate it using the above given technique.

Conclusion

Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders error occurs due to damaged OST files and profiles, incorrect IMAP settings, server connectivity issues, etc. But we can resolve it by following manual troubleshooting. We have explained all information such as why it happens, symptoms, how we can resolve it, what if file is corrupt etc. Read complete article and you can connect with us through live chat support for any query.