Microsoft Outlook can connectivity issue with Microsoft Exchange.  Troubleshooting and fixing these issues can range from a simple reboot to creating a new mail profile.

Restart Outlook and/or Computer

Many connectivity problems with Outlook can be resolved by simply restarting Outlook and/or the Computer.

1. Restart Outlook.
2. After restarting Outlook, verify connectivity.
3. If there are still connectivity problems, restart Computer.
4. Once computer is up and running, verify connectivity in Outlook.

Offline Mode

 Outlook 2010 and newer:

1. Click the Send/Receive tab.
2. Locate the Work Offline button.
3. Click the Offline button. 

Outlook 2007 and older:

1. Click File Menu.
2. Uncheck the Offline box.

At the bottom of your Outlook Window there will be a “Trying to Connect” prompt.  If  Outlook is “Connected” the problem is solved.

Rebuild PST or OST File

OST File

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open the Control Panel.
3. Select Mail icon.
4. In the next window, click Data Files.
5. Locate your data file, select and click Open File Location.
6. Locate the data file using Windows Explorer.
7. Rename the file extension from .OST to .OLD. 
8. Close these windows and open Outlook. 

PST File

1. Search for scanpst.exe using Windows Explorer.
2. Double click scanpst.exe to run the application.
3. In the next window, click Browse.
4. Locate your .pst file.
5. Click Start.
6. Scanpst will scan the data file eight times.  
7. If the scan finds errors, there will be a prompt to repair. For backup purposes, check the Make Backup Of Scanned File Before Repairing box.
8. Click Repair.
9. Close these windows and open Outlook. 

Repair Software Install

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click Programs and Features.
3. Scroll down and highlight the Microsoft Office installation.
4. Click Change.
5. Select Repair.
6. Click Continue.
7. Allow the repair to complete.
8. Reboot your computer. 

Recreate Mail Profile

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click Mail.
3. Select Show Profiles.
4. Click Add.
5. Name the new profile.
6. Follow the steps for the Outlook Account Setup Wizard.
7. Verify the new profile and set as the default or delete old profile. 

Takeaway:   The most significant means of communication in the office is email.  Even though Outlook is the most used mail client for businesses, it can develop problems. Using these ten tips will quickly resolve issues that can impact communication.

1.  Scan PST file

When Outlook becomes troubling, you can use the Inbox Repair Tool provided by Microsoft.  This tool will backup, scan and repair your Personal Folder files (.pst).  The entire process could take more than a few minutes to complete.

2.  Archive Data

Archiving your data will prevent common problems that large PST files create.  Archived data will be moved to a different PST to alleviate the size and space of you primary PST.  After an archive is done, running scanpst.exe will be a safe way to check the file. 

3.  Rename OST

Some problems can be resolved by simply renaming the OST file and allowing Outlook to create a new one.  The OST file saves your e-mails, calendar entries, contacts and other items.  Outlook will open like new after renaming an OST file.

4.  Delete/Rebuild Profile

When deleting or rebuilding an Outlook Profile taking precaution is a necessary step; open Control Panel, select Mail option, select Show Profiles and then select Delete.  For POP accounts, you must save the user’s data by exporting a data file from Outlook.  For Exchange and IMAP accounts, you can delete and re-create the account.  

5.  Disable Add-Ons

Another simple fix is to disable add-ons.  To check the speed of Outlook, use outlook.exe /safe command will allow you to open Outlook in Safe Mode (no-add-ons running).  After testing the speed, you can disable add-ons that may be slowing your system down.

6.  Disable Virus Scan

Popular Anti-Virus tools have a feature that will scan all e-mails to and from your system.  Temporarily disabling this feature is a work-around but not a solution.  Outlook will be defenseless when this feature is disabled.

7.  Run in Safe-Mode

Another temporary fix is to open Outlook in Safe Mode.  Use outlook.exe /safe command will allow you to open Outlook in Safe Mode (no-add-ons running).  This is a work-around but not a temporary fix.

8.  Resetnav

Users can arrange their navigation bar according to their needs which sometimes causes Outlook not to work properly.  A fast way to rest the navigation bar is using outlook.exe /resetnavpane command.

9.  Migrate PSTs

 All user PST files should be stored on the C Drive of the user.  If all users are accessing a shared drive for their PST files, it will slow down Outlook and possibly your network.

10.  Adjust Permissions

To adjust user’s calendar permissions – open the calendar in Outlook, right-click the shared calendar, select Properties, and in the Permissions tab you can adjust user’s calendar permissions.