Inbox Folder (only) Has Stopped Syncing/Updating in Outlook Client

Copper Contributor

I am using Microsoft Outlook for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2306 Build 16.0.16529.20100) 64-bit and Windows 11.  

 

The Inbox folder in my local Outlook client has stopped updating/syncing for some reason, but the other folders associated with the email account at issue, such as the "Sent" folder, are syncing and updating.  There is no error message that is appearing. When I click Send/Receive, no error message appears and it shows that the synchronization of the subscribed folders completes without an issue, which is true for the other folders but not the Inbox.  What is the issue here and how do I fix it? Thanks in advance.

1 Reply

@SamInSeattle 

If your Inbox folder in the Outlook client has stopped updating or syncing while the other folders are functioning normally, there are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

  1. Check the Sync Settings:
  • Go to the Send/Receive tab in the Outlook ribbon.
  • Click on "Send/Receive Groups" and select "Define Send/Receive Groups."
  • Ensure that the "Inbox" folder is selected for synchronization. Verify that it is not excluded or set to sync at a different interval.
    • Click "Close" to save any changes.
  1. Clear the Offline Outlook Data File:
  • Close the Outlook application.
  • Navigate to the location of your offline Outlook data file (OST file).
    • The default location is: C:\Users<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
  • Rename the OST file by adding ".old" to the file extension (e.g., rename "Outlook.ost" to "Outlook.old").
    • Restart Outlook. This will create a new OST file for your account, which may resolve the syncing issue.
  1. Disable Cached Exchange Mode:
  • Open Outlook and go to the File tab.
  • Click on "Account Settings" and then select "Account Settings" again from the dropdown.
  • In the Account Settings window, select your email account and click on "Change."
  • Uncheck the box for "Use Cached Exchange Mode."
  • Click "Next" and then "Finish."
    • Restart Outlook and check if the Inbox syncing issue is resolved.
  1. Repair Outlook Data File:
  • Close Outlook.
  • Open the Control Panel on your computer.
  • Navigate to "Mail" or "Mail (32-bit)" (depending on your Windows version) and open it.
  • In the Mail Setup window, click on "Data Files."
  • Select your email account's data file (OST or PST) and click on "Open File Location."
  • This will open the folder where the data file is stored. Close the Mail Setup window.
  • Right-click on the data file and select "Properties."
  • In the Properties window, click on "Advanced."
  • Click on the "Compact Now" or "Compact" button to initiate the repair process.
  • Once the repair is complete, restart Outlook and check if the Inbox syncing resumes.

The text and steps were created with the help of AI.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.