Outlook Error Reading Rules from Server. Format not recognized.

Eddie Medellin 21 Reputation points
2021-10-05T23:22:06.12+00:00

I am running Windows 11 and have a Microsoft 365 subscription. I am a member of the Office Insider as well . Microsoft Outlook for Microsoft 365 MSO (version 2109, Build 16.0.14430.20224) 64 bit is giving me an issue. I have always used the most up to date Outlook Desktop App and have created hundreds of rules on there that run on a daily. During the transition to Windows 11, I think there was an issue with the Rules. I keep getting the same error message at startup of Outlook, "There was an error reading the rules from the server. The format of the server rules was not recognized." When I go to Manage Rules & Alerts on the desktop app, there are no rules in the list. However, if I log on to the Online Web App on my browser, all my rules are currently there. The rules seem to be working as of now but I fear something may happen to them. Under app in the settings of Windows, I selected Microsoft 365 - en-us and hit the Quick Repair option to try and resolve the issue with no success. I also confirmed and I do have the latest Office 365 update. I have looked the issue up online and most people say to delete and add a rule and it will sort itself out and that has not helped. This is very annoying and every time I open Outlook I get the same error message about 10-15 times and I have to X out of it every time. Does anyone know of a solution? My end goal is to not have that error message come out on the desktop app and for the Rules to show up on my desktop app like they are on my online web application.

Outlook Management
Outlook Management
Outlook: A family of Microsoft email and calendar products.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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Microsoft 365 Publishing
Microsoft 365 Publishing
Microsoft 365: Formerly Office 365, is a line of subscription services offered by Microsoft which adds to and includes the Microsoft Office product line. Publishing: The process of preparing, producing, and releasing content for distribution or sale.
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  1. Andy Hinz 6 Reputation points
    2021-10-19T14:43:35.467+00:00

    Hi @Eddie Medellin ,

    I woke up to the same problem this morning. I was able to resolve it by going into the Rules Outlook/web mail, and deleting the newest rule which I had created about a week ago. My guess is something is up with the newest version of Outlook and/or Windows and/or Outlook server w/r/t a new type of format of a rule. Either that, or the way I had configured and edited the rule a few times last week confused Outlook in a bad way.

    You might be able to try deleting your rules in the web app one by one until the bad one goes away.

    Hope this helps,
    -Andy

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  2. David M 1 Reputation point
    2022-06-17T17:18:49.09+00:00

    I had the same issue. You'll need to go to the Outlook.com site to access the Inbox Rules from there. It was the newest rule that I created (in the desktop app) that caused the problem of all my rules "disappearing" and getting the error message. Once I logged into Outlook.com and deleted the offending rule and restarted Outlook app, all my rules reappeared. I rebuilt the bad rule in the website instead and it's working fine on both apps now.

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  3. Senn, Art 0 Reputation points
    2023-10-15T23:04:17.0666667+00:00
    • I logged onto Online Outlook and deleted the top rule - assuming it was that last created and cycled Outlook - No change.
    • Ran Online repair of Office365 - No change.
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