How to Fix Outlook Send and Receive Error?

Nothing is more frustrating than being unable to send or receive emails and being given cryptic or seemingly meaningless error messages. This article will help you fix the send-and-receive error in Outlook by providing complete information about some common send-receive errors and their causes.

fixed-send-receive-error-in-outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a popular email service provider used by many individuals and organizations. As per a report given by Microsoft in 2021, Outlook is used by over 400 million users. However, like any other software, we encounter various issues in Outlook. One such problem a user might face is Send/Receive Error.

On average, 1000 people search for ways to fix Outlook send and receive errors in the United States. The number of users encountering this error can vary based on the factors such as the versions of Outlook, user configurations, network stability, and other variables.

It is important to note that send-receive errors in Outlook can occur for various reasons, including server-side and client-side issues. The send-receive errors can be temporary and easily fixed by the user.

Outlook-send-receive-progress

Common Send and Receive Errors in Outlook

Various error codes or errors refer to send-receive errors in Outlook; some are listed below.

These errors cover a range of issues, such as connection issues, server timeouts, size limitations, authentication issues, antivirus or firewall conflicts, and more. Each error might have different underlying causes and troubleshooting steps.

What are the Major Reasons for Getting Send and Recieve Errors?

CausesDescription
Network Issues:Issues in your internet connection, such as intermittent connectivity or slow internet speed, can also lead to send/receive errors in Outlook.
Server Problems:Problems with the mail server, such as server downtime, server maintenance, or technical glitches, can lead to Outlook send-receive progress being stuck.
Antivirus or Firewall Interference:The Third-party antivirus or firewall security settings or incorrect can block communication between Outlook and the mail server.
Corrupt Outlook Data Files:Outlook relies on data files (PST or OST) to store emails, contacts, calendars, notes, and other mailbox items. Any corruption and damage to the data file can result in send/receive errors.
Software Conflicts:Incompatible or outdated software versions may interfere with normal functioning and cause errors such as send receive in Outlook.

How to Fix Outlook Send and Receive Error?

Below are the solutions that can help you troubleshoot and fix Outlook send and receive errors in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007.

Send yourself a test email message every time you have finished each procedure to ensure you can send and receive emails without getting an error message. Try the following methods if you continue to receive errors.

Method 1: Check Your Network Connectivity

Send and receive errors in Outlook might be caused by a bad network or poor internet connection, as the client fails to connect to the mail server. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your internet is functional.

Method 2: Delete Suspicious Emails

Outlook send-receive error might occur if suspicious emails are in your mailbox. If you have any strange or suspicious emails, you can delete them using one of the following techniques.

  1. Use the web-based email program provided by your ISP to access your mailbox and delete suspicious emails.
  2. Contact your ISP, inform them about the suspicious emails, and request they delete them.

Method 3: Clear Emails Stuck in Outbox Folder

clear-emails-stuck-in-outlook-folder

Check if you have any emails stuck in the outbox folder. It could also be the reason for Outlook Outbox not sending your emails. Follow the below-mentioned steps to clear them and fix the Outlook send-receive error.

  • Open your Outlook application, click Send / Receive, and click the Work Offline option. (Doing this will disconnect Outlook from the mailbox server.)
  • Click on the Outbox folder; you may either delete or move the emails or messages that are stuck in the Outbox folder.
  • Delete the emails by clicking the Remove button beside them, or move them to the Drafts folder by right-clicking on the email and selecting Move > Another folder > Select Drafts folder.
  •  Open the Drafts folder and check for any large attachments. Reduce the size of the attachment and try uploading them again.
  • Go to Send / Receive and click on the Work Offline option to connect the mailbox server and work in online mode.

Method 4: Ensure Your Outlook Email Account Settings are Correct

Follow the steps below to verify if you are using the correct Outlook email account settings.

  • Open your Outlook application, navigate to File > Info > Account Settings, and select Account Settings from the dropdown again.
ensure-your-outlook-email-account-settings-are-correct
  • Select your email profile under the email tab and click on Change.
  • Ensure that your primary email settings are correct.
  • Close the Outlook application and try sending a test mail.

Method 5: Verify Outgoing Server Settings to Fix Send and receive Error

verify-outgoing-server-settings-to-fix-send-and-receive-error

Repeat the steps mentioned in method 2; once you have verified the basic email setting, click on More Settings. This brings up the Internet Email Settings window; click the Outgoing Server tab to confirm the following details.

  • Verify My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.
  • Choose to Use the same settings as my incoming mail server.

Method 6: Increase the Server Timeout Settings

Increase-the-server-timeout-settings-to-fix-the-send-receive-outlook-error

Suppose you are getting send and receive an error in Outlook due to temporary network connections. In that case, it can be fixed by increasing the server timeout settings.

Note: In Outlook, the default server timeout period is set to 1 minute, which won’t be enough to send emails with large attachments.

  • Open your Outlook application and navigate to File > Info > Account Settings > Account Settings > Change > More Settings > Advanced.
  • Under Advanced, adjust the Server Time slider according to your need.

Method 7: Disable AntivirusR

Disable-antivirus-to-fix-outlook-send-receive-error

Suppose your antivirus software has an email-scanning feature. In that case, you might have to perform configuration tasks to utilize Outlook or Outlook Express along with antivirus software.

Turn off your antivirus software for a while to check if it fixes the send and receive error in Outlook.

Method 8: Disable Firewall

Disable-firewall-to-fix-your-outlook-issue

Outlook send and receive errors can be caused by firewall settings that block specific ports, preventing Outlook from communicating with the mailbox server. It would help if you created an exception allowing access to the incoming and outgoing ports for Outlook.exe (for Outlook) and Msimn.exe (for Outlook Express) to fix this.

If you find it difficult, you can temporarily turn off the firewall to check if it is why Outlook sends and receives an error. You can send or receive new emails after turning it off. In that case, you should contact your administrator or service provider and change your firewall settings.

Method 9: Open Outlook in Safe Mode

open-outlook-in-safe-mode

Running Outlook in safe mode allows you to launch the application with a limited set of features without loading any add-ins or extensions. This feature helps diagnose and fix issues such as crashing, freezing, or other unexpected behavior. To run Microsoft Outlook in safe mode, follow the below-mentioned steps:

  • Close Outlook application.
  • Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type outlook.exe /safe and press Enter.
press-windows-r-to-start-run-and-type-outlook-exe-safe

Outlook will now start in Safe Mode; try sending a test mail to verify if the send and receive error persists.

Method 10: Disable Add-ins

disable-add-ins-to-fix-send-receive-error-in-outlook

If Outlook functions appropriately in Safe Mode, it indicates that an add-in or extension might be causing the problem. In that case, you can disable or remove the problematic add-in.

  • Open the Outlook application.
  • Click on the File tab and select Options.
click-on-file-tab-in-outlook-yo-start-fixing-the-error
  • In the Outlook Options dialog box, select Add-ins.
  • In the Manage dropdown menu, select COM Add-ins and click the Go button.
select-com-add-ins-and-click-on-go
  • Uncheck the add-ins you want to disable and hit OK to save the changes.

Method 11: Use MAPI Repair Tool

use-mapi-repair-tool

You might encounter send-and-receive errors in sending or receiving emails in Outlook if the Mapi32.dll file is damaged or corrupted.

Note: FixIMAP.exe use can be risky, so use caution. Taking a backup of your Outlook data is usually advised before you start.

  • Close Outlook application.
  • Search for Command Prompt in the Start Menu’s search bar.
  • Run as Administrator by selecting it with a right-click on the command prompt.
  • From the Command Prompt window, navigate to the directory where the FixMAPI.exe file is located or type in the command “dir /s /b FixMAPI.exe.”
  • Double-click on fixmapi.exe to resolve the issue. When you launch the software file, there won’t be a screen or discernible processes. However, it will replace the existing mapi32.dll file and create a new one.

Method 12: Create a new Outlook Profile

create-a-new-outlook-profile

Follow the below-mentioned steps to create a new Outlook profile:

  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Search and click on mail.
  • Click on the Show Profiles button.
  • Click on the Add button to create a new Outlook profile.
click-on-add-button-to-add-new-account
  • Assign a new profile name and click Ok.
add-a-new-name-to-the-profile
  • Upon setting up the new profile, select it as the default profile.
  • Click Ok to close the mail setup window.

Method 13: Fix the Damaged PST File

fix-the-damaged-pst-file-error

If an Outlook data file(PST or OST files) is damaged or corrupt, it won’t save the new emails. You can consequently experience send and receive errors with Outlook. Try using the Inbox Repair Tool or Scanpst.exe to correct issues in the PST file. These are the steps:

  • Close Outlook and any other connected programs.
  • Press Windows + R, enter %localappdata%/Microsoft/Outlook, and then press Enter. By pressing this, a File Explorer window displays the PST file.

Note: As a backup, make a copy of the PST file and store it somewhere else.

The location of the Scanpst.exe depends on Outlook and Windows Version. Below we have mentioned the location of the Scanpst.exe based on Windows and Outlook Version.

For Outlook 2016 & 2019

  • C:\Program Files (*86)\ Microsoft Office\Office 19\
  • C:\Program Files\ Microsoft Office\Office 19\C:\Program Files (*86)\ Microsoft Office\Office 16\C:\Program Files\ Microsoft Office\Office 16\

For Outlook 2013

  • C:\Program Files (*86)\ Microsoft Office\Office 15\
    • C:\Program Files\ Microsoft Office\Office 15\C:\Program Files (*86)\ Microsoft Office\root\Office 15\
    • For Outlook 2010
  • C:\Program Files (*86)\ Microsoft Office\Office 14\
    • C:\Program Files\ Microsoft Office\Office 14\
    • C:\Program Files (*86)\ Microsoft Office\Office 14\
  • Once you have launched the SCANPST.exe, click on the Browser and locate the file by taking the help of the Windows file system. Click on Start after that.
  • The inbox repair tool will scan the file and look up possible errors. Now, you can check the box next to “Make a backup of scanned file before repairing,” followed by hitting the “Repair” button.

Scanpst can only fix minor issues; if you have failed to solve Outlook send and receive errors, don’t worry; we have you covered. We suggest you repair the corrupt pst file using the Yodot PST repair tool.

Method 14: Repair PST File to Fix Outlook Send and Receive Error

The Yodot Outlook PST Repair tool is a widely used and talked about tool in the area of Outlook Data File Repair. The utility has undergone extensive testing in a number of PST file corruption scenarios. To hassle-free recover the damaged PST files. Additionally, the utility also fixes PST files that have been encrypted and password-locked. Now you can free download and test out the tool.

  • Download and Install the Yodot Outlook PST Repair tool on your Windows system to repair the corrupt Outlook Data File.
  • On the main window, click on
    • Open PST File – if you know the location of the PST file (or)select Find PST File – if you can’t find the location of the PST file (or)
    • Select Outlook Profile – if you have multiple Outlook profiles.
fix-pst-file-to-fix-outlook-send-and-receiver-error-using-yodot-outlook-tool
  • Click on Normal Scan for a minor corruption (or) if the corruption is severe, click on Smart Scan, choose a destination to save the healthy PST file, and click Repair Button.
click-on-smart-scan-and-select-repair-to-fix-the-error
  • Once the repair process completes, the tool will display the retrieved items in an Outlook-styled interface.
after-repairing-tool-will-display-the-recovered-items

Conclusion:

This article provides 14 suggestions to troubleshoot and fix common Outlook send and receive issues. Creating a new Outlook profile can permanently resolve the problem if none of the fixes work. You can use the Yodot Outlook PST Repair tool to restore your mail items from a corrupt Outlook PST file connected to your old email profile.