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Resolving Outlook Error: “Connection to Microsoft Exchange Server Not Available”

admin | August 2nd, 2017 | Windows Outlook

Connection to Microsoft Exchange Server Not Available

The connection to the Microsoft Exchange server is unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action.

Many Outlook users are facing this error while starting MS Outlook. In this blog, we will discuss the issues related to this issue along with some appropriate solutions to resolve this error.

Let us first see what are the causes of this interruption.

Reasons for Connection to Microsoft Exchange Server Not Available

There might be few possible reasons of getting this Outlook error:

  • Interruption in Internet Connection.
  • Exchange Server Settings.
  • Outage/ server down problem.
  • Incorrect Outlook profile settings.

Solutions to Resolve Connection to Microsoft Exchange is Not Available

There are some workarounds you can try to resolve: The connection to the Microsoft Exchange server is unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action

  1. Terminate Outlook from Task Manager
      2. Go to Task Manager
    • Now, click on the Processes tab >> Find Outlook in the list.
    • Click on the End Task button given below.
    • Now, restart MS Outlook.

  2. Open MS Outlook in Safe Mode
    • Press Windows + R
    • Enter outlook.exe /safe

    Note: Leave a space after outlook.exe

  3. When Microsoft Outlook gets opened in the safe mode without any error, then Disable Add-ins
    • Open Outlook
    • Go to the File tab >> Select Options >> Choose Add-Ins
    • Now, select Com Add-ins and Enter GO
    • Now, disable all the active Add-ins >> Click on OK

  4. Inbox Repair Tool

    5. You can also run the in-built Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe and scanost.exe) from Microsoft.

  5. Reset Outlook Navigation Pane
    • Press Windows + R
    • Type outlook.exe /resetnavpane >> Click OK

    Note: leave a space after outlook.exe
    If the above steps do not resolve the issue, then try creating a new profile in Outlook.

  6. Run SFC Command

    7. SFC, System File Checker, an in-built utility to check system file corruption.

    You can run this command by:
    Start >> Command prompt >> Enter sfc /scannow

    Note: there should be a space between sfc and /

  7. You can also try to Remove Exchange Account from your profile and can add it back also, without deleting your profile.

  8. Remove an Outlook profile and add it again.

    9. You can do this by following steps:

    • Go to Control Panel >> Select Mail.
    • It will open a new set up window. Click on Show Profiles.
    • Choose Add option to create a new profile. Select Always use this profile for the profile you are creating.
    • A new window will be prompt. Enter your Microsoft Exchange credentials and to proceed further click on Next.
    • You are done with a new profile.

  9. Restart MS Exchange System Attendant service

    10. Restart it by using following steps:

    • Windows + R >> type services.msc >> Enter.
    • In the detailed pane, go to the Services window >> locate Microsoft Exchange System Attendant service.
    • Right-click and start the service. Stop the service and start it again, if it is already started.
  10. Install your Microsoft Office/Outlook again.

    11. If the above-given solutions are not resolving the error, then you have to uninstall your Outlook or Microsoft Office and install it again.

Final Words

The above article has discussed some solutions for the Outlook error:
The connection to the Microsoft Exchange server is unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action
These are the perfect solutions to resolve this Outlook issue and can be implemented easily even by a novice user also.