Outlook Won't Sync, Lost Folders, Connectivity Issues

Question

I am really having trouble trying to repair my outlook...
Connectivity issues with the server, lost folders (all i have now is an inbox), won't toggle between offline and online (Permanently offline), tried repairing not working...

Task 'Synchronizing subscribed folders for ******@xxxxxxxx.com.' reported error (0x800CCC0E) : 'Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders for ******@xxxxxxxx.com. Error: Cannot connect to the server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).'

Tried repairing, even uninstalling office 365 and reinstalling.
I love outlook classic and want to continue using it. even when i use browser for outlook i've lost all my work folders

Answer 1

Hello

Many users seem to have this issue recently. Microsoft is still investigating this issue. The current workaround is published here: https://support.microsoft.com/office/users-get-errors-0x800ccc0e-0x800ccc0f-synchronizing-gmail-and-yahoo-accounts-in-classic-outlook-e5a7b684-7c5c-4848-ab2d-d48291451f67

Answer 2

Based on the symptoms (cannot connect to server, permanently offline, only Inbox visible, folders also missing in webmail), the core issue is that Outlook is unable to sync correctly with the server and the server itself no longer shows the folders. That means the focus should be on fixing the Outlook profile and the local sync state; if the folders truly do not exist on the server anymore, they must be restored from backup or from a local data file (.pst) if one exists.

Use these steps in order, skipping anything already tried:

1. Repair the Outlook profile
2. In classic Outlook, select File.
3. Select Account Settings > Account Settings.
4. On the Email tab, select the affected account, then select Repair.
5. Follow the wizard, then restart Outlook.

If connectivity is still broken or folders are still missing, continue.

2. Resync specific folders (Outlook 2010 and later)

If some folders exist on the server but are not visible or not updating in Outlook:

1. In the folder list, right‑click the folder that is not syncing correctly.
2. Select Properties.
3. Select Clear Offline Items, then OK.
4. On the ribbon, go to the Send/Receive tab.
5. Select Update Folder.

This forces Outlook to rebuild the local contents of that folder from the server.

3. Rebuild the .ost file (local cache)

If many folders are missing or sync is unreliable, rebuild the offline data file:

1. Before deleting the .ost file, export any data that exists only locally (for example, items in folders that are not on the server) to an Outlook Data File (.pst).
   • Use File > Open > export to .pst and choose Do not import duplicates when you later re‑import.
2. Close Outlook.
3. Delete the .ost file for the affected account.
4. Restart Outlook and let it download mailbox data again from the server.

This recreates the local cache and often resolves 0x800CCC0E when caused by a corrupt .ost.

4. Fix offline/online and general connectivity

If Outlook remains stuck offline or continues to show sync errors after the above:

1. Run a profile repair again as in step 1.
2. If the connection still fails, run the classic Outlook connectivity troubleshooter:
   • Use the Start button in the article to launch the classic Outlook for Windows connectivity troubleshooter (requires Windows 10 or higher and must be run on the same PC where classic Outlook is installed).
3. Follow the steps in the Get Help window to let the tool diagnose and fix profile and connectivity issues.
4. If sync still fails: repair Office and Exchange support files

If Outlook still cannot sync or stays offline after profile repair and .ost rebuild, the Exchange support components may be damaged.

1. Close Outlook.
2. In File Explorer, go to the Office installation folder, for example:
   • C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 or
   • C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16.
3. Locate EMSMDB32.dll, right‑click it, and rename it to EMSMDB32.dll.old.
4. Right‑click Start, select Apps and Features.
5. Select the Microsoft Office product, then Modify.
6. For Click‑to‑Run installations, choose Online Repair > Repair so all components are replaced.
7. After repair completes, reopen Outlook and let it resync.
8. When folders are missing in both Outlook and webmail

If folders are gone in the browser as well as in Outlook, they are not currently on the server. In that case, the only ways to get them back are:

• Restore from a backup on the mail server (requires help from the mail provider or server administrator), or
• Restore from a local Outlook data file (.pst) if one was exported previously or exists from an older profile.

If a .pst with those folders exists, import it:

1. In Outlook, select File.
2. Select Open and choose the option to import from an Outlook Data File (.pst).
3. Use the Do not import duplicates option when importing.

If no backup or .pst exists and the folders are not present in webmail, they cannot be recovered using Outlook alone and must be restored by the mail provider if possible.

---

References:

• Fix your Outlook email connection by repairing your profile
• Synchronization problems occur in Outlook and in Outlook Web App
• Issues when you synchronize your Exchange Server mailbox with your .ost file in Outlook