Outlook Cannot Synchronize Subscribed Folders – Error Fixed

Microsoft Outlook is a widespread email service provider preferred by many users around the globe. In general, it allows users to configure external email accounts such as Office 365, IMAP, Exchange, etc. more frequently. But sometimes while configuring multiple email accounts in Outlook simultaneously, it stops working or gets freezed. This might be possible that Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders. In such cases, when users try to configure an IMAP account in Outlook then, only headers will get synchronized and not the subscribed folders.

In order to download all emails from an IMAP account, users are required to set Outlook first and then to download the attachments, users need to open and view the synchronized folder. If Outlook is unable to recognize the IMAP configuration for subscribed folder structure, then users are suggested to go through the guidelines listed here. We have discussed methods to resolve Outlook unable to synchronize subscribed folders error.

Before stepping ahead to the process, let’s first understand the reasons behind the error.

Why Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders?

Here we have listed some common possible reasons for which task synchronizing subscribed folders error occurs in Outlook.

• Server connection failure.
• Downloading damaged or corrupt files.
• Damaged Outlook email account.
• Corruption in Outlook PST file.
• Inappropriate Outlook email settings configuration.
• Malware threats or virus infection.
• Faulty Outlook Add-ins.
• Outlook unable to synchronize subscribed folders due to inappropriate port number.

Also Read – How To Import OST To Thunderbird (MBOX) File Format

Manual Solution Tips For Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders

As we have discussed several reasons above for which Outlook task synchronizing subscribed folders error occurs. Also, we have provided the most relevant solutions below according to its causes. So, go through the solutions below to resolve the issue.

Method 1 – Check Internet Connection

Firstly, users need to check the internet connectivity to fix Outlook unable to synchronize subscribed folders issue. Users need to assure that the system is well connected to the internet. To send and receive emails easily without any trouble, it is necessary to have a great internet connection speed.

Method 2 – Remove Duplicate Accounts

Removing the duplicate account might solve the issue. To do so, follow the below steps –

1. Launch Outlook application.
2. Click on the Tools menu.
3. Go to the Account settings tab.
4. Navigate to Email and search for duplicate accounts.
5. Click on the remove button to remove the duplicate account.

Method 3 – Re-Add Outlook Email Account

1. Launch Outlook application in your system.
2. Click on the File tab.
3. Click on the Add account option.
4. Enter your IMAP login credentials such as email ID, password, etc.
5. Click on the Next button.
6. Once the account is re-added, restart the Outlook application and click on send/receive option.

The error Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders might get resolved now. If not fixed, then move ahead to the next method.

Method 4 – Check SMTP Settings

The reason behind the error might be due to inappropriate configuration of SMTP settings. Follow the given steps to check the Outgoing server settings.

1. Open Outlook in Windows.
2. Click on the File tab.
3. Select account settings > account settings.
4. Navigate to the Email tab and double click on your email account.
5. Click on more settings options.
6. Select the Outgoing server section and check on “My outgoing server requires authentication” option.
7. Click on OK to save changes.

Alternative Solution – DRS OST Recovery

If users are still facing the same error Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders, then there can be a problem with the OST file. If the OST file got damaged or corrupted then, users need to repair OST data to fix it. Users can use the DRS OST recovery tool to repair inaccessible or corrupt OST files. The utility allows users to recover all the corrupt OST data and convert recovered files to PST, MBOX, DBX, EML, etc. The tool offers three recovery modes i.e, Standard, Advanced, and Deep mode. The free demo version of the utility is also available to evaluate the performance of the tool for free.

Final Words

Above in this blog, we have discussed some manual methods to fix Outlook cannot synchronize subscribed folders error. If by manual approach, the issue is not resolved then users can use the alternative professional solution to repair the corruption issues in OST files.