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Outlook 2016 Error Code 16999 "Could Not Retrieve Mail" OS X El Capitan

Anonymous
2017-01-03T02:48:36+00:00

Started receiving error code 16999 today on Outlook 2016 v15.29 for MAC OS X El Capitan - won't download any emails. I've seen the thread regarding a similar issue in Outlook 2011 and on earlier versions of Mac OS but not certain those responses will work.  I am an Office 365 Member and need to figure this out quickly!

Thanks in advance,

~Brian

Outlook | MacOS | Legacy Outlook for Mac | For business

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-01-06T11:45:01+00:00

    Thanks Hans - I ended up opening my email from the internet stead of Outlook and was able to delete the offending email at that point.  Thanks for your assistance!

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-01-03T08:43:11+00:00

    Hi Brian,

    This error may be related to a damaged message on your e-mail server denying access to the rest of your emails.

    You may follow the steps below to give it a shot:

    1. Login to the email account on a browser.
    2. Create a new folder in the email account.
    3. Move all the emails from the inbox to that folder.
    4. Then open Outlook, check whether the error occurs again. If not, and you want to move the normal emails back to Inbox folder, follow the steps below:
    5. Move emails back to Inbox one by one again, check if the same error shows up in Outlook.
    6. Once you figure out which email causes this issue, move it back to the newly created folder.
    7. Once the corrupt email is singled out, you should be able to use Outlook without any issues.

    If the error persists, I need to collect the following information to troubleshoot:

    1. The version of Outlook. (Open Outlook> click Outlook in the taskbar> About Outlook)
    2. The version of OS.
    3. A full view screenshot of the error.
    4. How does the error occur, by sending/receiving emails or just opening Outlook?
    5. How do you configure the account to Outlook? Please provide a screenshot of account setting via PM. (Open Outlook> click tools in the taskbar> accounts)

    Regards,

    Hans

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-07T01:41:38+00:00

    Hi Brian,

    Thanks for your update, glad to see this problem has been resolved!

    Regards,

    Hans

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-06T10:25:24+00:00

    Hi Brian,

    Have you tried my suggestion? Please post back if you need further help.

    Regards,

    Hans

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