Fix Outlook Sending Error 0x80040201: Sending Issue Solved

What Does Sending Error 0x80040201 in Outlook Mean?

In simple terms, this error means Outlook could not complete the send operation. Something stopped it midway. That something could be a wrong email address, a stuck email in your Outbox, incorrect SMTP settings, your antivirus blocking the message, or a corrupted Outlook profile.

Why Does Sending Error 0x80040201 in Microsoft Outlook Occur?

Outlook error 0x80040201 does not appear for just one reason. Several things can cause it. These are the most common ones:

• Faulty Add-ins: Some add-ins installed in Outlook stop working correctly over time. 
• Third-Party Antivirus: Antivirus programs run in the background while you use Outlook. 
• Corrupt NK2 Cache File: Outlook keeps a small file called NK2 that saves email addresses you have used before.
• Corrupt Outlook Data File: If your PST or OST file has any damage, Outlook becomes unstable.

How to Fix Outlook Sending Error 0x80040201

There are several ways to fix this error, depending on what is causing it. Go through the solutions below one by one until the problem is resolved.

Solution 01: Disable Outlook Add-ins

Add-ins are often the reason behind this error. Opening Outlook in Safe Mode helps you find which one is causing the problem. Steps to follow:

1. First, press Windows + R to open the Run box. Type outlook /safe and click OK.
2. Outlook opens in Safe Mode. Click File in the top menu.
3. Then, select Options from the left side.
4. Click on Add-ins in the Options window.
5. At the bottom, next to the Manage option, click Go.
6. Uncheck all add-ins and click OK.
7. After that, restart Outlook normally.
8. Enable add-ins one by one and restart after each one.
9. When the error comes back, the last add-in you enabled is the problem. Keep it disabled.

Solution 02: Create a New Outlook Profile

If your current Outlook profile is damaged, creating a fresh one usually fixes the sending error completely. Steps:

1. Open Outlook and click File.
2. Now, click Account Settings and select Manage Profiles.
3. Click Show Profiles. Press the Add button to create a new profile.
4. Enter a name for the new profile and click OK.
5. Fill in your email account details in the Add Account window. Click Finish when done.
6. Back in the Mail window, select Always use this profile and pick your new profile from the dropdown. Click OK and restart Outlook.

Solution 03: Empty the Auto-Complete List

Outlook remembers email addresses you have typed before and saves them in a list. If one of those saved addresses is old or wrong, Outlook fails to send the email. Clearing this list removes all bad entries and fixes the problem.

1. Open Outlook and click File.
2. Select Options from the left panel.
3. Afterwards, click on the Mail tab.
4. Scroll down to the Send Messages section.

1. Click Empty Auto-Complete List.
2. A confirmation box will appear. Click Yes.
3. Restart Outlook and try sending again.

Solution 04: Delete the NK2 Cached Contacts File

The NK2 file stores saved contact nicknames in Outlook. When this file gets corrupted, it can trigger the 0x80040201 error. Deleting it forces Outlook to rebuild it fresh. Steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Type %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook and press Enter.
3. The Outlook folder opens in File Explorer.
4. Look for a file with the .NK2 extension.
5. Finally, right-click on it and click Delete. Restart Outlook.

Solution 05: Turn Off Windows Security

Windows Defender sometimes blocks Outlook from sending emails without any obvious reason. Turning off real-time protection temporarily can confirm if this is the cause. Steps:

1. Click the search bar and type Windows Security. Open the app.
2. Choose Virus and Threat Protection.
3. Click Manage Settings under Virus and Threat Protection Settings.
4. Toggle Real-time Protection to off.
5. In the end, open Outlook and try sending your email.

Professional Tool to Fix Outlook Sending Error 0x80040201

If your Outlook profile is corrupted or damaged, you can use the reliable DRS Outlook PST Repair Tool. This tool allows users to repair severely damaged PST files quickly without any data loss. Offer multiple Recovery Modes, like Standard, Advanced, or Deep. It has a simple interface, which means every user can easily use it without needing any technical skills. Also, it is highly compatible with all Windows and Mac versions. This tool is also helpful to fix Outlook Error 0x80040115 and other errors.

Simple Steps to Repair Corrupted Outlook PST Files:

1. Download and install the DRS PST Recovery Tool.
2. Click on Open to add your damaged PST files.
3. Choose Recovery Modes and other options. Click OK.
4. Then, you can preview all your recovered PST files.
5. Click Save and pick the format you want to save your files in.

Conclusion

In this complete blog post, we explained several different methods to fix Outlook Sending Error 0x80040201. In most cases, disabling a faulty add-in, clearing the autocomplete list, or creating a new profile solves it within minutes. If the problem goes deeper and your PST file is damaged, the DRS PST Recovery Tool handles it completely without any data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions