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Outlook won’t connect to server & Gmail [Solved]

7 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Outlook is the defacto email service used by most businesses and individuals, and just like other programs, this too can have issues in performance, among othertechnical issues.

One of the common and known issues is Outlook not responding orwon’t connect, which usually happens for one of the reasons below:

Other causes have to do with software and hardware like insufficient computer specifications, insufficient write performance for Outlook files, search indexing issues, incomplete file (PST/OST) closure, and many RSS feeds, among others.

Similar issues that can be solved the same way:

Whatever the case, if you findOutlooknot responding or won’t connect, try the solutions below to resolve it.

How do I fix Outlook not responding or not connecting?

1. General fixes

2. Fix .PST file

UseStellar Repair for Outlookto perform a repair operation on the .pst file.

Since the .PST file is crucial for how Outlook performs, keeping it in a good shape is critical. Microsoft Outlook already performs some cleanup operations in the background.

A combination of factors, however, can prevent the cleanup to perform and thefile to get corrupted.

IT technicians usually repair damaged pst files in order to fix a number of issues with Outlook such as low response time from the app,Outlook search not working, and connection issues.

This tool has low system requirements and is compatible with all Windows versions. It supports MS Outlook 2019, 2016, and earlier.

3. Disable AppData directory redirection

If yourAppData folderis redirected to a network location, this can affect Outlook’s performance, as some data like email signatures and dictionaries are stored in that folder, which it must wait for reading and write operations in the directory to finish.

4. Cancel Outlook integration with Microsoft Office Communicator

5. Disable antivirus software add-ins installed in Outlook

If your antivirus includes Outlook integration, performance issues may arise. You can disable the integration or antivirus software add-ins installed in Outlook.

You may have to contact the antivirus manufacturer on how to configure the antivirus software to exclude any integration or scanning in Outlook.

6. Create a separate send/receive group for your RSS feeds

Outlook won’t respond or won’t connect if you’re synchronizing manyRSS feedsinto Outlook.

By default, the RSS feeds are automatically synchronized at set intervals. If you have too many feeds, Outlook may become unresponsive.

A separate send/receive group for your RSS feeds will allow you to sync them on-demand compared to set intervals.

7. Create a new Outlook profile

Your Outlook messaging profile may be misconfigured, so creating a new profile may fix Outlook not responding or won’t connect.

If this fixes Outlook not responding or won’t connect problem, return toShow Profilesdialog and delete your old profile.

8. Close any open dialog box

There are times Outlook won’t respond until you close an open dialog box. Check for these and see which ones may be stopping Outlook from responding.

If there isn’t any, check that Outlook isn’t working on a large or long process as this causes performance issues.

9. . Repair Office programs

This resolves issues with Outlook not responding or won’t connect.

Did any of these solutions help fix Outlook not responding or won’t connect? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Outlook won’t connect to server & Gmail [Solved]#

How do I fix Outlook not responding or not connecting?#

1. General fixes#

2. Fix .PST file#

3. Disable AppData directory redirection#

4. Cancel Outlook integration with Microsoft Office Communicator#

5. Disable antivirus software add-ins installed in Outlook#

6. Create a separate send/receive group for your RSS feeds#

7. Create a new Outlook profile#

8. Close any open dialog box#

9. . Repair Office programs#