error in import calendar from google in outlook

Question

When iI get the link from ical/Google secret link, I can't sync with my outlook. I get an error that says "Sorry, something went wrong. You may want to try again."

Answer 1

Hi Kim Tucker

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum and sharing your experience.

In classic Outlook for Windows, Google Calendar links cannot be imported for ongoing sync. Instead, they must be added as an Internet calendar subscription using the correct iCal URL. If the calendar is imported, or if an incorrect link is used, Outlook may return a generic error.
In addition to the steps provided in the Q&A Assist answer, please try the following troubleshooting actions if the issue persists:

If adding the calendar through the ribbon continues to fail, try subscribing to the Google Calendar via Outlook’s Account Settings instead

• Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
• Select the Internet Calendars tab and choose New.
• Paste the Google Secret address in iCal format and select Add.
• Assign a name to the calendar.
• Leave Download attachments for items in this Internet Calendar unchecked.
• Select OK.

Since this is a business account, test using Outlook on the web (OWA):

• Sign in at https://outlook.office.com.
• Open Calendar > Add calendar > Subscribe from web.
• Paste the same iCal link.
• If the calendar subscribes successfully here, the issue is likely related to the local Outlook profile or desktop configuration. If it fails here as well, the problem may be related to the Google iCal feed or network restrictions.

If the calendar or link is very old, the Google Calendar secret address may no longer be valid, so resetting it can generate a fresh link for Outlook to subscribe to:

• Return to Google Calendar > Settings > Integrate calendar.
• Select Reset.
• Copy the newly generated link and try adding it again in Outlook.

In corporate environments, VPNs or firewalls may block external iCal subscriptions:

• Temporarily disconnect from any VPN and test again.
• Ensure outbound access to Google calendar services and .ics feeds is allowed.

If the issue continues, please note that Google-to-Outlook calendar integration is a one‑way subscription and depends on Google’s iCal feed availability. Temporary service issues or unsupported calendar data may also prevent successful subscription, which is outside Outlook’s direct control.

Please let me know how things go on your side as your update can also assist others in the community who may be facing the same issue.

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Answer 2

In classic Outlook for Windows, the Google Calendar “secret address in iCal format” must be added as an Internet calendar, not imported as a file. Use these steps and checks:

1. In Google Calendar
   1. Under My calendars, select the vertical ellipsis (⋮) next to the calendar.
   2. Choose Settings and sharing.
   3. Scroll to Integrate calendar.
   4. Copy the Secret address in iCal format URL exactly (do not open it in a browser; just copy the URL).
2. In Outlook (classic desktop)
   1. Go to the Calendar view.
   2. On the Home tab, select Add Calendar > From Internet.
   3. Paste the copied Secret address in iCal format URL.
   4. Select OK.
   5. When prompted to add and subscribe to updates, select Yes.
3. If the error still appears
   • Confirm that the URL is the Secret address in iCal format, not the public URL or HTML link.
   • Make sure the URL was not truncated (copy again from Google Calendar).
   • Try again after a few minutes in case of a temporary service issue.

If Outlook accepts the URL, the Google calendar will appear under your calendars and will sync periodically. If it is imported instead via File > Open & Export > Import/Export, it becomes a static snapshot and will not sync, so always use Add Calendar > From Internet for ongoing sync.

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References:

• Import calendars into Outlook
• See your Google Calendar in Outlook